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Children at Southgate Community Center
Notes and News from Reston Interfaith             
March 2010
Join RI on
 
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*Volunteer
Opportunities
 
Just click here for more
information on the below opportunities.
To sign up, contact
at 571.323.9565.
 
Volunteer Orientations
Year round
 
"Generation Next: Reston Leadership Development Dialogue," Hosted and Sponsored by the Reston Community Center in Partnership with the Reston Historic Trust
March 25, 2010,
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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*RI In the News
 
Reston's Best Revealed, Reston Connection, March 3, 2010
 
Community Heroes Named for Best of Reston Honors, Fairfax Times, March 2, 2010
 
2010 Best of Reston Unveiled, The Observer, February 26, 2010

Laurel Learning Center in Reston Is Honored with Reading Is Fundamental's National Program of the Month Award, CityBizList.com, February 2010

VA, Local Funding Cuts May Hurt Reston Interfaith Services, Washington Post, February 18, 2010

Reston Interfaith Tries to Stay the Course, Fairfax Times, February 16, 2010 

Nonprofits Connect for HopeHerndon Connection, February 3, 2010
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*This Just In...
 
Thanks to our community, Reston Interfaith raised  $78,655.00 through the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon Program.This success in such a tough economy is due to the participation of each walker and sponsor - together we took steps to end homelessness in Fairfax County. Stay tuned for details on the 2010 Walkathon events!
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Reston Interfaith was invited to the White House on February 17, 2010 for the one-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Kerrie Wilson, CEO, was one of a group of representatives from organizations that have received stimulus funds. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden spoke about the achievements of and challenges facing the ARRA . 
*A Note from Kerrie Wilson, CEO
These are tough times - you have heard it, we have felt it, and too many of our neighbors are living it.  The hardship created by the recession means that governments and nonprofits have fewer resources to help, while more and more people rely on support to help them - and our economy - recover.
While there is legitimate debate about investments needed to support job growth and how to approach recovery, we know what works for those who are hurting.

As Virginia struggles to respond to the recession, it is my hope that our leaders will strive to preserve investments in social services such as housing, emergency shelter, education and child care and development. While some reductions are inevitable, a "cuts-only" approach falls directly on the backs of the vulnerable men, women and children that simply cannot shoulder the load. Such decisions are complex, but as a decades-old advocate for hard-working, tax-paying people, Reston Interfaith understands the importance of looking to the long-term when faced with challenges. Problems in our economy did not arise overnight, nor can they be fixed overnight.

Read the full article by clicking here...
*2010 Best of Reston Honorees Announced
2010 Best of Reston HonoreesThe 2010 Best of Reston Honorees and Strategic Partners were formally announced on February 24, 2010, at the "Revealing the Best" reception, generously hosted by Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro, located in the Westin Reston Heights. The 2010 honorees are Imam Mohamed Magid and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, Holly Norris, Emily Ward, Reston Historic Trust, The Hotels at Reston Heights (The Sheraton and Westin), Virginia Spine Institute, and Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. First Responder 2009 Officers of the Year Eric R. Glueckert of the Police Department and Ronald A. McNew and Craig S. Furneisen, Jr. of the Fire Department will also be honored at Best of Reston.

The 2010 Best of Reston honorees will be formally recognized at the 19th Annual Best of Reston Awards Dinner  on April 15, 2010, presented by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith at the Hyatt Regency Reston.  Sponsorship, tables, and tickets are now available; please click here for more information or contact Theresa Rupp at 571.323.9572.

*Keeping Our Community Warm at the Coat Closet

It has been an incredible winter, not only due to the record amounts of snow this season but also thanks to the generosity of local donors and volunteers.  The Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet, a partnership between Supervisor Catherine Hudgins' office and Reston Interfaith, has facilitated the gifting of 5,232 coats and 2,214 winter accessories to our Volunteers at the Coat Closetneighbors in need.  Volunteers have given their time and energy to organize and distribute the coats, hats, gloves and scarves three times a week since mid-November 2009.  A total of 94 volunteers spent approximately 439 hours assisting the Coat Closet, ensuring that no one in our community needed to face the winter without a warm coat.  Dozens of schools, companies, faith groups and individuals hosted coat and accessory drives, providing a steady supply of high-quality warm outerwear. The partnership is especially grateful to the Village Square Cleaners of Herndon for once again providing free cleaning services for donated coats.  The Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet is a perfect example of the warmth a community can provide when it comes together to help those struggling to get by. 

*RI's Golf Tournament Moves to River Creek Country Club 
Rucker Memorial Golf TournamentMark your calendars today - The 16th Annual Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auctions will be held on July 19, 2010 at the beautiful River Creek Country Club in Leesburg. Join us at one of the area's finest private courses to take a swing at ending homelessness in our community. Whether you bring a foursome or golf with a colleague or friend, you are guaranteed to have a rewarding and first-class experience on the links. New this year is a clinic for novice golfers with one of River Creek's club pros. Attend the dinner and exciting live and silent auctions following the tournament to show your support for RI's social service programs. For up-to-date information about this year's event,  click here  or contact Theresa Rupp at 571.323.9572. We look forward to teeing off with you on July 19! 
*Employment Specialist Gets Clients Job-Ready
While today's job market is challenging, Reston Interfaith is working hard with our clients to help them become job-ready. Just over a year ago, Rodolfo Nogales joined the team as our employment specialist, and has been working one-on-one with those we serve throughout our programs to assess employment needs. He not only helps our clients locate potential employment opportunities and build resume and interview skills, but also assists in addressing problems that may arise within their current jobs. For example, Candace suffered through six pay periods without once receiving a paycheck, and then was suddenly let go by her employer. After complaining to her manager, she was told that the company was unable to pay her what was owed. Because of her limited English language skills, Candace was frustrated and gave up. After Candace shared this situation with Rodolfo, he immediately took action and contacted the Department of Labor , alerting them to the situation. Within a week the employer sent a cashier check for the full sum of the missed payments to Candace. Over the past year, Rodolfo has worked with nearly 50 clients, teaching valuable skills and serving as an advocate for their employment challenges. He also reaches out to area businesses to set up workshops and trainings on areas of particular interest. Several companies in the Reston-Herndon area have participated as a way of giving back to the community. Reston Interfaith is thrilled with the positive impact this new program has made, and looks ahead to expanding job training opportunities and assisting youth this summer with locating employment.
 
*How You Can Help
Your generosity enables Reston Interfaith to help families and individuals right here in our community. You can help and have fun celebrating our 40th anniversary at the same time by supporting one of RI's upcoming events!
 
Whether you choose to attend Best of Reston and celebrate our local community heroes on April 15th or opt to golf and give back on July 19th at the Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament and dinner, your participation will make a difference to a neighbor struggling to make ends meet. 
 
For more information about our annual events, please contact Cathy Hoskinson, Vice President, Resource Development, at 571-323-9566.

To make a donation, click here or return this form via mail or fax. Thank you for your generous support.