The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation (SJGF) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. The grant will fund an expanded iPad and technology program designed to comfort, connect, and entertain children with complex medical conditions.

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The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is hosting its Annual Toy Drive in partnership with OAR NOVA to support local families affected by the criminal justice system. Running through December 8, the community is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys at drop-off locations across the Workhouse campus. The drive aims to bring holiday joy while emphasizing the center’s commitment to creativity, compassion, and community engagement. For more information, visit the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.

Press Release:

Workhouse Arts Center is excited to continue its tradition of giving back with its Annual Toy Drive in partnership with OAR NOVA. Running through Sunday, December 8, the community is invited to donate new, unwrapped toys for local families impacted by the criminal justice system. Donation drop-off locations include the Visitor Center (Bldg 16), Lucy Burns Museum (Bldg 2), and Art of Movement (Bldg 11) at Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA.

The Toy Drive runs through December 8, with new, unwrapped toys collected at the Workhouse. “Our community thrives on creativity and compassion,” says Keith Gordon, CEO of Workhouse Arts Center. “Every toy donated brings joy and reminds us of all of the differences we can make in the lives of others.”

Donations can be dropped off at the holiday tree in W16. Help us make the season brighter for local families and share the magic of the holidays!

For more information, visit Workhouse Arts Center Toy Drive.

About Workhouse Arts Center

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts. Once a historic prison, the Workhouse is now a vibrant cultural hub offering gallery exhibitions, live performances, educational programs, and special events that inspire creativity and foster community engagement. Committed to excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability, the Workhouse empowers artists, enriches lives, and drives positive social change while serving as a dynamic platform for artistic expression and cultural dialogue. Visit us online at www.workhousearts.org to learn more.

About Workhouse Arts Center

The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
transforming lives through the power of the arts. Once a historic prison, the Workhouse is now a vibrant cultural hub offering gallery exhibitions, live performances, educational programs, and special events that inspire creativity and foster community engagement. Committed to excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability, the Workhouse empowers artists, enriches lives, and drives positive social change while serving as a dynamic platform for artistic expression and cultural dialogue.

Press Release:

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Heather Haney, a participant in the Leadership Prince William Signature Program Class of 2025, shared her journey with the organization, reflecting on how it began with the Emerging Leaders Program. Haney’s involvement in Leadership Prince William started in 2018 after a friend encouraged her to apply.

“I was in a tough headspace at the time, working on launching my own business,” Haney said. “My friend, who was already involved with Leadership Prince William, suggested I give it a try.”

Haney first enrolled in the Emerging Leaders Program, an eight-week course for those seeking a preview of the more extensive Leadership Prince William Signature Program. “It’s a great option for people not ready to commit to the full 10-month program,” Haney explained. “Each week, community leaders come in to speak about leadership and managing both yourself and others.”

During her time in the Emerging Leaders Program, Haney learned valuable skills in leadership and communication. “Bob Schneider from OmniRide and Greg Ballard were two speakers who resonated with me. They really helped me understand the dynamics of working with clients and business professionals,” she said.

After completing the Emerging Leaders Program, Haney was eager to further her involvement and enrolled in the Class of 2025 Signature Program. “I was nervous but knew I needed to be part of the community. I wanted to build my business acumen and be more involved in Prince William County,” Haney said.

The Class of 2025 will kick off at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The morning event will begin with breakfast and networking from 7:30 to 8 a.m., followed by a send-off program from 8 to 8:45 a.m. The program will include a welcome to new members, sponsor recognition, and a special moment as the Class of 2024 “passes the torch” to the incoming participants.

A fun tradition at the event is the awarding of the “Golden Pineapple” to the class with the highest attendance. “It’s all about encouragement and welcoming new members to the Leadership Prince William family,” Haney said.

Haney, originally from Pennsylvania, moved to Northern Virginia in 2000 and has lived in Manassas since 2005. She started her business, Calluna’s Lens, during the 2020 pandemic, providing photography and marketing services. She continues to expand her business while growing her leadership skills through the Signature Program.

“Leadership Prince William has given me a more professional mindset and helped me understand how to approach challenges in business,” Haney said. “For anyone thinking about joining, I recommend just reaching out and learning more. It’s been a great experience for me.”

I-66 Express Mobility Partners assembled 660 Power Packs for schoolchildren and contributed $10,000 to Food For Others. This donation builds on their previous support and ongoing collaboration with the organization.

Press Release:

Yesterday, at the warehouse operated by Northern Virginia food pantry Food For Others, employees and associates of I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway, packed a grand total of 660 Power Packs for the area’s school-aged children.

The donation of time is in addition to I-66 EMP’s contribution of $10,000 to Food For Others, also made yesterday.

The Power Pack Program sends backpack meals home with students who, without their school-provided meals, do not get enough food on the weekends. Power Packs consist of two items each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus two snacks and two healthy beverages. The program assists approximately 3,600 students at 52 schools throughout Fairfax County, helping them alleviate hunger over the weekend and return to school each Monday ready to learn. More about Food For Others’ Power Pack Program is at https://foodforothers.org/get-help/power-packs-for-kids.

“We talk about making a difference, and EMP’s donation of time and funding truly makes a significant difference for kids around Fairfax County,” said Deb Haynes, executive director of Food For Others. “The Power Pack Program is among our most impactful programs, so we’re pleased to receive this help from EMP. We consider the 66 Express Outside the Beltway to be one of our strongest partners.”

On-site packing of Power Packs for kids is the latest collaboration between Food For Others and I-66 EMP. In December 2022, the roadway operator collected nearly 600 pounds of food from a holiday food drive on behalf of Food For Others. In November 2023, I-66 EMP gave Food For Others $5,000 specifically earmarked for the Power Pack Program. Then I-66 EMP donated a heavy-duty 12.8-cubic-foot refrigerator to Food For Others in March 2024.

“It’s hard for a child to learn when they’re hungry. That’s why fighting against food insecurity among our area’s schoolchildren is crucial to our support of local public education and school readiness,” said Nancy Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “We enjoyed working with Food For Others to put together these Power Packs, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Food For Others for a long time to come.”

About Food For Others:
Based in Fairfax, Food For Others is one of the largest providers of emergency food assistance in Northern Virginia. The organization serves 2,600 families per week and distributes weekend meal packs to roughly 3,700 students weekly. Learn more about how to donate and how to get involved at www.FoodForOthers.org or by calling 703-207-9173.

About the 66 Express Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the lanes of the 66 Express are a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor, allowing drivers to Sit Less, Live More. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About I-66 Express Mobility Partners:
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of leading infrastructure companies including Cintra, Meridiam, and APG. In public-private partnership (P3) with VDOT, I-66 EMP is contracted to operate the 66 Express Outside the Beltway through 2066. Connect with I-66 EMP on LinkedIn.

Virginia Credit Union (VACU) and the Fredericksburg Nationals have donated $11,710 to address hunger and food insecurity in the Central Rappahannock River area through their Strikeout Hunger campaign. Over the past three years, their combined efforts have contributed $32,710, providing 65,420 meals to those in need.

Press Release:

Virginia Credit Union (VACU) and the Fredericksburg Nationals have donated $11,710 to combat hunger and food insecurity in the Central Rappahannock River area. Through a partnership with the FredNats, the Fredericksburg-based minor league baseball team, VACU makes a $5 donation to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank for every strikeout recorded by the Nationals’ pitchers during the course of the season. The FredNats matched VACU’s $5,855 donation.

“We’re grateful for the good work of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank in helping alleviate hunger in our community,” said Virginia Credit Union President/CEO Chris Shockley. “We know the food bank continues to see a surge in the demand for assistance, and VACU is proud to lend a helping hand.”

In its third year, the Strikeout Hunger campaign is one of many VACU initiatives to aid the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which serves the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Members and employees of VACU also support area food banks through food drives, volunteer work days, and other fundraisers.

VACU and the FredNats have contributed $32,710 during the past three years to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which equates to 65,420 meals for our neighbors in need.

“Teamwork and partnership are essential to the work we do,” said Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank President/CEO Dan Maher. “Virginia Credit Union and the FredNats show great teamwork and great community awareness in committing $5 toward hunger relief for every strikeout by FredNats pitchers. We are honored to partner with them to make their community spirit tangible to those who rely on our services.”

About the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank helps to provide nutritious food to more than 46,000 people through a network of 235 community partners operating more than 330 food assistance programs. Learn more at fredfood.org.

About the FredNats
The Fredericksburg Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team and a Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They play home games at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, located in Fredericksburg. Learn more at milb.com/fredericksburg.

About Virginia Credit Union
A financial cooperative serving almost 500,000 members, Virginia Credit Union and its Member One Division offer a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union and its Member One Division are equal housing opportunity lenders and are federally insured by the NCUA.

On Friday, August 30, 2024, the parking lot of Winners Church at 17877 Old Triangle Road transformed into a bustling center of health and wellness. Community members gathered for a comprehensive health fair aimed at providing crucial medical screenings and education to the uninsured and underinsured.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., was a partnership between Winners Church and Sentara Healthcare, marking a new collaborative effort to enhance community health services. This year’s fair featured a vital addition—a mobile mammogram van from Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offering free cancer screenings.

Kolawole Fagbenro, an associate pastor at Winners Church, explained the motivation behind the event: “We focus a lot on the community. Today, we’re doing blood pressure and cholesterol checks. We’ve partnered with Sentara; they have a mammogram van here for people without insurance, which is vital as mammograms are expensive.”

This was the first time Sentara participated, bringing not only the mammogram services but also connecting attendees with further medical support. “This is the first time we have mammograms involved, which is crucial as they are expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance,” Fagbenro added.

Winners Church, known for its diversity and holistic approach to spirituality and health, sees this fair as an extension of its mission. Fagbenro emphasized the church’s role: “We take a holistic approach to the gospel, considering both the physical and spiritual health of our congregation. This health fair is one way we can use our community of nurses and doctors to give back.”

Heather Byrne, a representative from Sentara, highlighted the importance of such events for cancer prevention and early detection. “Sentara is helping to sponsor this health fair to get wellness checks, cancer prevention, screenings, and education out to those who are uninsured or underinsured in our community,” Byrne said. She also noted the advancements in cancer treatment, underscoring the importance of early detection through screenings.

The fair addressed not just the lack of insurance but also a gap in health literacy. Byrne shared insights into the local challenges: “Many don’t know about the screenings available or can’t access them. This includes crucial tests like mammograms and colonoscopies.”

Dumfries resident Mary Stephens, who attended for a mammogram, expressed her gratitude: “It’s not something I can do perfectly on my own, so these services are crucial for my safety.”

The health fair provided essential services and strengthened the community’s bonds, offering a space where residents could come together to support one another’s health and well-being.

 

House of Mercy, a longstanding food pantry and thrift store near Manassas, announced significant operational changes in response to a sharp increase in demand for its services. The organization will temporarily halt new client registrations and shift from offering free to discounted clothing.

“We’ve seen a 49% increase in demand just this year,” said Jessica Root, executive director for House of Mercy. “This year, we hit our capacity, serving over 134 families in a single day. We’re temporarily pausing new client registrations to focus on our current clients and ensure we maintain the quality of service.”

The changes reflect broader economic tensions in the community. Despite being located in one of the wealthiest counties in Virginia, House of Mercy has faced unprecedented challenges. “Even in wealthy areas, there are tens of thousands of people who need help,” Root explained. “The low poverty rate here doesn’t tell the whole story.”

Many clients at House of Mercy do not qualify for government aid, influencing the increased demand for their services. “About half of our clients are children,” Root noted. “We see families doubling up in homes to manage rent, and many have multiple jobs but still struggle to meet basic needs.”

The economic landscape has shifted dramatically, with rising living costs outpacing salary increases, putting additional pressure on families. “When I go to the grocery store, I see the price of eggs double what they were a year ago,” Root said, indicating a broader economic trend affecting the community.

House of Mercy relies heavily on community support to manage these challenges. Root called for increased community involvement: “We need more monetary funds, more volunteers, and more food. Our thrift store plays a crucial role too, as all revenue goes right back to our food pantry.”

The organization invites the community to donate items, volunteer, or shop at the thrift store. “If you love to shop, come shop and support our mission,” Root encouraged.

House of Mercy remains a vital resource for Prince William County and its surrounding areas, adapting its operations to continue supporting those in need during these challenging economic times.

Join Us for Mercy Fest 2024: A Day of Family Fun for a Greater Cause!

Join us on September 28th for Mercy Fest 2024, our annual fundraiser dedicated to improving the lives of those in our community. This year’s event promises a day packed with family-friendly activities, entertainment, and interactive fun for all ages!

There’s something for everyone, from exciting games and delicious food to engaging activities and local vendor booths. Your participation will ensure a fantastic day out and support a vital cause. All proceeds from Mercy Fest 2024 will go directly to House of Mercy’s programs, helping us support over 100+ families daily through our Food Pantry.

Come for the fun, stay for the cause, and help us continue our mission to assist those facing financial hardship. Please mark your calendars and join us in making a meaningful impact in our community!

Date: September 28, 2024
Location: 8170 Flannery Court, near Manassas
Time: 10 am – 3 pm

Let’s celebrate together and make a difference! See you at Mercy Fest 2024!

WEBSITE: https://houseofmercyva.org/festival

Habitat for Humanity in Prince William County, under the interim leadership of Steve Liga, is recalibrating its mission to tackle the unique challenges of expensive real estate and a community need for home repairs rather than new builds.

Liga, who stepped in as the interim director, detailed how his experience with other nonprofits led him to this role. He explained his immediate focus on stabilizing the organization’s financial footing and reconnecting with the community after a slow period exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Liga, “We should be doing a lot more.” He emphasized the need for Habitat to complete at least one new home every three years to maintain good standing with Habitat International. Currently, the nonprofit holds properties that have been undeveloped for years, which Liga is promptly addressing. “One of the first things I did was come in and say, ‘Let’s look at these two,'” Liga noted, specifying plans to have families move into homes on the properties.

The shift comes as the organization seeks to reinvigorate its involvement in local projects, particularly following a slowdown during the coronavirus pandemic. Liga outlined the organization’s plans to boost the number of home repair projects, emphasizing the critical need within the community, especially among the elderly and those on fixed incomes. “We got months’ worth of backlog of people who’ve applied and need help,” Liga said.

Habitat for Humanity aims to perform critical home repairs weekly and undertake significant projects every quarter. “Every week, we’re out there doing a project,” Liga said. Eligibility for these services is primarily based on income, with priority given to residents earning 60% or below the median area income and those capable of contributing to their repairs, whether through direct participation or other means like volunteering at Habitat’s ReStore at 10159 Hastings Drive in Manassas.

Liga also detailed plans for revitalizing the Habitat ReStore operations, which are crucial in funding the organization’s projects. An across-the-board price increase has been implemented to support Habitat’s mission better. While the Habitat ReStore in Manassas has been a success at its current location since 2016, a now-shuttered ReStore location in Woodbridge faced challenges due to the pandemic and strategic missteps. “Instead of doubling [Habitat ReStore’s] clientele as anticipated, they just split it,” Liga remarked.

The store was in an old Food Lion store near Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road.

Addressing staff concerns at the ReStore, Liga plans to improve benefits to reduce high turnover rates and ensure better customer service through a more stable workforce. “The turnover is high. It’s not a great paying job,” he said, laying out his plan to make staff positions more attractive and stable.

As Habitat for Humanity Prince William County celebrates its 30th anniversary, Liga is clear about the direction forward: focusing on critical home repairs and better leveraging the ReStore to fund these projects. “The 30th-anniversary campaign is building up the donor base, letting them know that when you’re donating, what that’s doing is that’s helping your senior citizen neighbor fix their roof,” Liga stated.

Liga said there will be no significant gala event to celebrate the milestone few nonprofits reach. Instead, the focus will be on direct community impact, with funds raised going straight into local projects.