Support - Communities In Schools of NOVA

Partnership Highlight: Arlington Food Assistance Center

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) has been serving Arlington County residents in need of supplemental groceries for over 25 years. With the weekly assistance of a small army of volunteers, AFAC distributes nutritious food to over 2,200 county residents each week. About 35% of those who receive food from AFAC are children. Barcroft Elementary is the most recent school that AFAC has partnered with to provide students in need with supplemental meals. Through the Backpack Buddies Program, students may receive a bag of groceries to take home with them on Friday afternoons. Each bag contains two days worth of nutrition (six [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:20:14+00:00June 20th, 2016|0 Comments

A New Beginning: Outreach Efforts in Alexandria

By Candace Hill, CIS of NOVA Outreach Coordinator As the Communities In Schools (CIS) of NOVA Outreach Coordinator for Alexandria, I feel fortunate to be a part of a team that’s out there helping to educate our city residents and businesses on the needs of Alexandria City Public School’s students, and to find the resources needed to enable their success in school. The journey that led me to CIS of NOVA is one that has consistently involved working with youth, as I’ve always been fascinated with child development. My career began in research, managing the Temple University site for the NICHD Study [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:21:00+00:00June 2nd, 2016|0 Comments

Arlington Teens on the Summer Job Hunt

As the temperatures rise and the calendar approaches June, the hunt for summer employment is in full swing across Arlington County. On Saturday, April 23rd, the Arlington Employment Center hosted the annual Teen Summer Expo at Wakefield High School. Over 75 employers filled the Wakefield cafeteria to discuss opportunities and make connections with hundreds of students from all over Arlington County. Prior to the Teen Summer Expo, Arlington Employment Center coordinator Nadia Conyers dropped by Wakefield to work with students involved with CIS of NOVA’s after-school program at the school. Ms. Conyers discussed students’ motivations for seeking summer jobs, previewed the event [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:22:15+00:00May 6th, 2016|0 Comments

Shop for a Cause at Whole Foods Market TODAY!

We know first-hand the challenges that our students face, and we're grateful for the services from our volunteers and partners for all that they do to support CIS. Today, there are two additional opportunities where everyone is able to contribute, and in turn, help our students succeed. Whole Foods in both Arlington and Alexandria will be supporting CIS of NOVA with its 5% day. This means that Whole Foods will donate 5% of Wednesday’s total sales from both their Clarendon and Old Town stores to CIS of NOVA. Why not pick up some groceries mid-week and help CIS at the same time! Can’t make it to Whole [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:24:18+00:00April 20th, 2016|0 Comments

UPDATED! Healthy Hammond Community Fair & Color Run 5k School Fundraiser

Walk, jog, and run your way toward a healthier life while raising funds for Francis C. Hammond Middle School. All are welcome! See the event information below. Date: Saturday, May 21, 2016 (new date!) Location: 4646 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304 Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm Deadline: Register by May 5th Please contact Candace Hill at candace@cisofnova.org for more information.

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:25:11+00:00April 8th, 2016|0 Comments

CIS of NOVA Celebrates Programming at Hammond MS & Joins Spring2ACTion in Alexandria

Communities In Schools of NOVA will be participating in SPRING2ACTion, a one-day online fundraising event on April 20th, sponsored by ACT for Alexandria. Help spread the word that CIS of NOVA has expanded programming to Alexandria by sharing our Spring2ACTion LINK with your contact list and friends on social media. What if we all gave on one day – APRIL 20th? How much can we raise to support our students? We believe that when the needs of children are met, they can be free to learn and teachers can be free to teach. We believe ALL kids can succeed. We never give up on [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:25:38+00:00April 7th, 2016|0 Comments

2016 Career Day at Wakefield Brings In Volunteers, Local Businesses & Community Organizations

On March 30th, 41 volunteers representing 31 local businesses and community organizations gathered for the annual Sophomore Career Day at Wakefield High School! This year’s event saw numerous volunteers return for their second Career Day at Wakefield, and many more join the morning’s activities for the first time. Speakers represented Arlington County, nonprofit organizations and businesses from all over the Northern Virginia region. Volunteers met with over 300 students to discuss their education paths and career backgrounds, as well as share tips and strategies for students to use in their own career exploration paths. CIS of NOVA would like to thank our [...]

Madelon Brennan2020-03-08T14:26:01+00:00April 6th, 2016|0 Comments

Seeking Volunteers for Wakefield’s Sophomore Career Day 2016

Each year, the Wakefield counseling department and Communities In Schools of NOVA coordinate a Career Day for sophomore students. After hearing from a keynote speaker, volunteer speakers rotate between tables of students, sharing their stories and perspectives, for approximately 10 minutes (completing 4-5 rotations). Also during this time, students ask volunteers questions about their career and education paths, learning invaluable information about the importance of education, networking, and a firm handshake! To volunteer, please contact CIS Site Coordinator Dan Howard at dan@cisofnova.org or (703) 228-2384 and register USING THIS LINK. Sophomore Career Day 2016 Date: Wednesday, March 30th Time: 8:30am – 11:30am [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:27:16+00:00March 14th, 2016|0 Comments

Combating Food Insecurity in the City of Alexandria

Francis C. Hammond Middle School is now one of the newest participants in the Blessings In a Backpack (BIB) program, thanks to the new partnership between Communities In School of NOVA, the United Way of the National Capital Area, ALIVE (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically), and the Alexandria Food Center. As the country honored the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 18th, we celebrated his legacy by launching BIB at Francis C. Hammond Middle School. Over 12 volunteers gathered at the Alexandria Food Center and worked diligently to pack 200 weekend backpacks for students at Hammond. These backpacks will be distributed to [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:26+00:00February 16th, 2016|0 Comments

African-American Read-In Coming To Gunston Middle School

The African-American Read-In will be held in the Gunston Middle School Library from February 17 through 19, 2016. The African-American Read-In is held during Black History Month, and there is a special focus on encouraging young people of color to read and enjoy literature. At Gunston, classes from all grades throughout the day will visit the library for a special reading by visitors, administrators, faculty, and staff. Readers can choose from a selection of books by African American authors, or choose their own book that is special to them. To make this great event even better, Gunston’s partnership with Reading Is Fundamental [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:15+00:00February 10th, 2016|0 Comments