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| Newsletter and Volunteer Opportunities |
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Volunteer Opportunities
Just click here for more information on the below opportunities.
To sign up, contact
at 571.323.9565.
October, 2009 -
March, 2010
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Help for the Holidays
Each year, Reston Interfaith works with community members to make the holiday season fulfilling and memorable for our neighbors in need. The Thanksgiving Food Drive in November and the Adopt-a-Family Gift Drive in December ensure that families are well-fed and children receive personalized gifts. Our ability to offer nurturing social services is only possible because of your support for our programs.
Sign up today to support either or both of these drives by clicking here. | |
Greetings from RI
It's official: Reston Interfaith has changed our logo, and is using this month's newsletter as an opportunity to share it with you! We hope that you have had a chance to visit our updated website and also to become our fan on Facebook. In addition to the refreshing new colors, we are proud of what the logo represents: people supporting each other. As usual, you can find us in the community this Fall working hard to serve those struggling to get by. Read below to learn how you can join us - by volunteering for the Hypothermia Prevention Program, walking in Fannie Mae's National Help the Homeless walkathon, or donating to our holiday drives. We hope to see you at one - or all - of these special opportunities that support our neighbors in need! |
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RI In the News
- Get Your Halloween On: Creating Wellness 5K & One-Mile Run/Walk to Benefit Reston Interfaith, Fairfax Times, October 27, 2009 - Homeless Walk Raises $5,000, Fairfax Times, October 27, 2009 - Hunter Mill Hosts Coat Drive, Fairfax Times, October 27, 2009
-Rain, Cold Dampen Festival on the Square, Herndon Connection, October 20, 2009
-Nominate a Nonprofit or Family in Need for DryHome's "Free Roof for the Holidays" Program, PR.com, October 11, 2009
-Children 'Have Blast' at Open House, Reston Connection, October 7, 2009
-Reston Interfaith Awarded $400K, The Observer, September 25, 2009
-Stimulus Money Goes to Reston Interfaith, Reston Connection, September 23, 2009
-Supporting Interfaith's Mission, Reston Connection, September 23, 2009
-Social Responsibility of Entrepreneurship, The Examiner, September 9, 2009 |
 Walk for the Homeless on the
National Mall
Are you looking for a way to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and help those in need? On November 21, you and your friends, family, and colleagues can show your support for ending homelessness in our community by walking for Reston Interfaith at Fannie Mae's National Help the Homeless Walkathon. The event takes place on the National Mall, with registration at 7:30 am, the walk program at 8:30 am, and the walk beginning at 9:00 am. Be sure to select RI as your beneficiary (code VA035). To sign up, please click here. Learn more about our participation in the Help the Homeless program and also view a photo gallery from our other mini-walks by visiting our website. Thank you for taking steps with us to end homelessness in Fairfax County. |
RI Receives Federal Stimulus Money
Reston Interfaith is proud to announce that we have been awarded $424,236.00 in grants through the Homelessness and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The purpose of the funding is to provide the homeless with housing relocation, stabilization, and financial assistance. The ARRA, signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, allotted a total of $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention Fund. Reston Interfaith submitted its proposal to the Commonwealth of Virginia for HPRP funds for homeless prevention and rapid re-housing on behalf of 7 nonprofits in the region, including FACETS, Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, Helping Children Worldwide/Connections for Hope, New Hope Housing, Northern Virginia Family Services, Reston Interfaith, and Shelter House. To learn more, click here. |
 Assist With Hypothermia Prevention
Now that cooler weather is officially here, Reston Interfaith needs your support for this winter season's North County Hypothermia Prevention Program, beginning on December 1st. This amazing effort, which served over 160 guests last winter, is possible only because of the home-cooked dinners, nutritious bagged meals, generous wish list donations, warm spirits and smiling faces contributed by our incredibly generous community. If you or your group would like to join us in meeting the immediate needs of one of the most vulnerable populations in our community this winter season, please click here to learn more about the program and how you can make a difference. |
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What's New at the Shelter
For the past several months, RI's Embry Rucker Community Shelter has benefited greatly from the services of our new Housing Broker. Chuck Rifae has been working closely with both the homeless individuals and families living at the shelter as well as those in jeopardy of becoming homeless to find fair-market housing. His services are especially helpful for those who do not quality for transitional housing. The presence a Housing Broker on the shelter staff provides those in urgent need of housing with valuable tools and resources that can get them back into a home of their own. Chuck starts by assessing each client's needs and finding appropriate housing options, which often involves "looking outside the box" for possibilities in challenging circumstances. An essential step in the process is educating clients on tenant rights, credit reports, rental applications, and other real estate matters that pertain to successfully finding and applying for a home. Finally, Chuck reaches out to both individual investors who may only own a few units to rent as well large apartment complexes in our area to locate new housing options. He works hard to cultivate a strong working relationship with Fairfax County services and the new HOST team that is implementing the ten-year plan to end homelessness in Fairfax County. Whether through private investors or Fairfax County housing services, Chuck is building strong relationships between housing providers and those in need to help find housing solutions that benefit our entire community. |
Thank you to the following organizations for hosting FriendRaisers in support of RI:
Fair Oaks Skin Care Center - Jasmine Cafe - Merchant Tire and Auto, Reston - MidTown Condos - Whole Foods, Reston
To learn about events that other organizations and individuals are hosting in support of RI, please click here. |
How You Can Help
Want to help? Gather your co-workers, friends, neighbors and classmates for a good cause - raising money and resources for Reston Interfaith.
Get creative - pick a theme - select a date - set your dollar goal or check out ideas for mini-drives.
Need ideas? Please contact Cathy Hoskinson, Director of Development at 571-323-9566.
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Did you know that Reston Interfaith served over 800 families through our Emergency and Self-Sufficiency Program, and that 100% of those served avoided homelessness?
Learn more at restoninterfaith.org.
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