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Wish List
We are in need of the following items.
School supplies
Host homes for homeless young adults
Late model 10 passenger van
Tickets to games and amusement parks
Gift cards to grocery stores and Staples
Donations may be delivered to our Teen Shelter on Gallows Road in Vienna any day between 9am-8pm. Thank you!!!
For our household items please see our full
Wish List |
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The AH Story
Help us share the Alternative House story and mission.
Invite a friend to attend an Open Door Tour at the Teen Shelter on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am, 3pm, and 6pm.
Invite your friends to join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.
Contact
for more information. |
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Come Volunteer!!
Come join us for a Volunteer Information Session where you will find out more about our organization and how you can get involved.
The next volunteer session will be held in September. See next month's newsletter for details.
For additional information please contact Christine Bartell at 703-506-9191. |
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Alternative House
is greatly appreciative
to the following organizations and businesses for their generous support
Thank YOU!!
Companies / Civic and Church Groups
Auntie Anne's - Tysons Corner
Chipotle - Tysons Corner
Drink More Water
Edy's Chicken and Steak
Food for Others
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church
Kentucky Fried Chicken - Annandale
Kentucky Fried Chicken - Bailey's Cross Road
La Madeline
-Bailey's Cross Roads Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild
Peking Gourmet
The Potomac School
Rotary Club of McLean
Rotary Club of Tysons Corner
St. Stephen's United Methodist Church
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
V & F Office Products
Vale United Methodist Church
Vienna Inn
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Just last month I wrote to you about how excited all the young people in our programs were to be out of school. This month, I'm writing to ask you to help us provide school supplies for those same young people. I know it may seem early (our young people would certainly think so!) but it takes time to collect all the supplies we need for the number of young people in our programs.
Last year our Community Based Counselors worked with more than 1,000 children. These young people are from families that are struggling to provide food and clothing. The cost of school supplies is often beyond their reach. An item that is always in short supply is sturdy backpacks. Our website has a complete list of school supplies that are needed. Thanks for helping us plan ahead! Judith |
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Safe and sound in new home
18-year-old Santigie Kargbo was recently featured on
9NEWS NOW & WUSA9.com's Hero Central program.
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Grateful Teen Shelter Client
Here is an email we received from a grateful young lady who stayed at our teen shelter.
Good Morning,
While conducting a search of programs for adolescents and at risk youth, I came across your program. It just so happens that when I was 16 years old, I stayed at the Alternative House near Tyson's Corner.
The program was truly a big help for me. At the time I stayed there, my mom was not stable enough to care for me, my father lived in GA, and my goal was to finish high school. The Alternative House saved me greatly because I attended South Lakes High School in Reston, VA and I was on the verge of losing my placement in school; however, once my guidance counselor learned that I was at Alternative House, they had no choice but to allow me to continue my education.
While at the House, I gained a lot of insight into myself and the counselors were wonderful. I must admit, I was also granted privileges others weren't due to having to work to pay my way to school. I still have the journal that I started while residing at the Alternative House and I also remember some of the friends that I made while there.
Although my reason for being there wasn't a good one, I made the most out of my experience and actually hated having to leave. The Alternative House was one of the best gifts that God gave to me, and the services provided were greatly appreciated. |
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Volunteer Spotlight
We would like to introduce Norm Thompson. Norm is Alternative House's IT Administrator extraordinaire. With multiple certifications including an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) he came to AH almost two years ago through a phone call and has never stopped helping.
He has devoted hundreds of hours to ensure our IT issues are taken care of and make sure our day to day operations run smoothly. His patience, reliability, and willingness to go beyond what is asked makes, him an indispensable asset in our service to young people.
Norm worked for the federal government and various non-profits in the past and currently provides volunteer IT services to several nonprofits. Norm has a passion for helping others from the elderly to youth. He also helps animals by volunteering at the Humane Society of Fairfax County on weekends. Norm has a passion to help non-profits use technology to further their missions. We are very grateful to have him on our team!! |
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Teen request for host home
Alternative House recently received the following email from a young man to wants to graduate from high school and go to college:
I would like to live with a host family for my senior year so I can graduate from high school. I don't mind and expect to pick up house chores. I also expect a curfew to know when I'm expected to be home. My interests are football, basketball, and track. I also enjoy cooking and I am a very good barber.
I originally lived in Georgia then moved here at the end of my freshmen year, seeking a better educational situation. My mother passed away in a car accident two years ago and my father moved in with my aunt. They believe that an 18 year old needs to get out of the house and get a job or join the army. They feel that eventually getting a GED is just as good as finishing high school.
Since my 18th birthday this spring, I have been randomly kicked out of the house by my aunt, talked down to and told that she would not house an 18 year old. My father is working almost around the clock and does not feel he has a say in this matter since it is not his house. I really want the chance to complete my senior year and work my way through college. In order to do that, I need to find a host family that will house and support me mentally through my senior year.
If interested in helping please contact Housing Coordinator Juan Leon at (703)343-3551 Juan_Leon@thealternativehouse.org |
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Employee Spotlight
 Krystie Wilson, is the Program Coordinator for the Emergency Shelter for Teens in Vienna, Va. Krystie started with us as an intern then worked as a full time Counselor and now is our Program Coordinator.
Krystie helps provide a safe environment for the residents and manages their daily activities. She also oversees the counselors and volunteers that help run the shelter. Krystie always has a cheerful attitude and a willingness to help. Her hobbies include reading, traveling and volunteering at her church. Krystie is a wonderful asset to the AH family. |
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