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Wish List
We are in need of the following items.
We are very low in cleaning supplies, trash bags, wipes, papertowels, toilet paper, brooms, dustpans, brushes.
Dreft detergent and regular detergent.
Please see the Counselor's Corner article for book requests.
Diapers size 4 and 5
Gift cards to grocery stores, Home Depot, Target, 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 Alternative House 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. The next tour will be March 12th.
Invite your friends to join us on Facebook.
Contact
for more information. |
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Thank YOU's!
What a wonderful surprise we got from Jim Mosier of Appliance Connection, James Wiggins of Sons of Plumbing, LLC and a team of friends. They helped with repairs around the shelter, and donated a brand new refrigerator and new disposal. You guys rock!!! Thank you!
Vienna's Kilmer Middle School students recently purchased, assembled and dropped off 351 snack packs worth over $1,400 that will be gratefully accepted to help feed children, teens, and young adults in all of our programs. For every 3 snack packs, students earn one hour of community service. Thank You Kilmer Middle School staff, students, and parents!!!
Churchill Road Elementary in McLean recently held an "Art Helps!" silent auction fundraiser that not only raised $1,144 for Alternative House
but also raised awareness of our programs. One program in particular is our 24 hour, seven day a week crisis hotline for teens; 1800-SAY-TEEN
Special thanks to Churchill arts teacher Jenny Whiteman for organizing this fundraiser. We appreciate the efforts of the staff, students, and parents from Churchill!! |
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Our newest program
 February was an exciting month at Alternative House as we were able to begin housing homeless young people (ages 18-22) in our new Transitional Living Program.
The lease of a town house in the Lorton area of Fairfax was accomplished and a formerly homeless young woman "Janice" who is just 19 years old has a safe roof over her head, as well as a stable home for her child. Just as important, she's back on the road to self-sufficiency as our staff will help her improve her job skills, continue her education, and increase skills we all need, such as developing a budget and learning how to shop wisely.
In the next few weeks, Janice will be joined in the townhouse by two other young women who also need this type of help. We are also finalizing the lease of a second town home to help homeless young men ages 18-22. This new program helps young people gain the stability they need so they don't enter the cycle of adult homelessness that is so devastating to individuals and our community. Thank for your support to make this happen. Judith |
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Recently, one of the young women in our Assisting Young Mothers(AYM) program achieved a huge milestone. Jeannie will be the first person in her family to attend college. She will be attending Northern Virginia Community College on an academic scholarship this fall. That would be a special achievement for any young person but Jeannie did this while working part-time and taking care of her two year old son, Terry.
Prior to coming to the AYM program one year ago, Jeannie and Terry lived in a two bedroom apartment with 7 people. "AYM has taught me how to strive and expand my goals for the future," Jeannie said. She plans on attending nursing school. Congratulations to Jeannie!! |
Alternative House Named One of the Best
Alternative House has been selected for the 2012-13 Catalog For Philanthropy. Chosen from a field of nearly 200 organizations the Catalog calls Alternative House "one of the best small charities in the Washington DC Region." The Catolog generates visibility and resources for the best community-based nonprofits.
We are honored to be part of the Catalog. |
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Parents Raising Safe Kids
 | | 26 Mothers and guardians displaying their graduation certificates |
Alternative House Community Based Program staff recently taught the American Psychological Association's Parents Raising Safe Kids program. This is an 8 week program that develops effective parenting skills that are critical to preventing violence in the lives of children.
The program teaches parents and caregivers positive skills and strategies to use with and model for children. They include:
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Dealing with children's difficult behaviors with developmentally appropriate responses -
Controlling their own anger -
Helping children control their anger -
Teaching children how to resolve conflicts without using violence -
Using positive discipline methods that fit the children's age -
Reducing the influence of media violence on children.
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Counselor 's Corner by Susie Guido
In addition to providing the basics (shelter & food) to our clients, we incorporate counseling in our daily programming - this includes individual, group and family sessions. As a way to engage our clients, the counseling staff uses therapeutic board games, educational videos, and relatable books. Activities that are fun are more likely to capture their interests and promote learning in an enjoyable way. One of my favorite resources is "All About Me The Teenage Edition: The Story of Your Life" by Phillip Keel. This book provides thought-provoking questions to help youth to discover who they are and explore their beliefs, fears, memories and much more.
For parents, I frequently recommend two books:"The Good Enough Teen: Raising Adolescents with Love and Acceptance (Despite How Impossible They Can Be)" by Brad E. Sachs
"Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool" by Hal E. Runkel
Please consider helping us increasing our therapeutic resources for those parents and young people we serve. You can purchase these books from online book sellers and have them mailed to Alternative House Therapeutic Resources PO Box 694 Dunn Loring, VA 22027. Thank You!! |
Magical Musical Memories. Thank you to the McLean Orchestra and Youth McLean Orchestra
 | | Maestra Miriam Burns helping children during the pre-show Musical Petting Zoo. |
Recently, 40 children from Alternative House's Community Based Programs enjoyed a lively performance by the McLean Orchestra and McLean Youth Orchestra. Prior to the concert, an instrumental "petting zoo" gave the children the unique opportunity to play the instruments.
The children were chauffeured to the concert via buses generously donated by Reston Limousine.
Thank You McLean Orchestra's and Reston Limousine!! |
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Employee Spotlight!!
Nandred Navarro is the Director of Community Based Services for Alternative House, located in Falls Church, VA. . She is a natural leader, hard worker, and a constant inspiration to everyone around her.
Last summer Nandred received a surprise visitor to the Teen Center. "Tony" was a lively young teen when he came to the Teen Center nine years ago when Nandred first started as a Safe Youth Project Coordinator. Tony appreciated having a safe place to go after school to hang out with friends and do his homework.
Tony came back to say "Hi" and give thanks to the people at the Alternative House Teen Center. He credits Nandred and the other counselors for helping build his self-esteem, confidence, along with the inspiration to open his own restaurant in Seattle, WA. Tony gladly shared his success story with many of the teens.
Nandred is responsible for of all our Community Based Programs that include the Teen Center, Culmore Safe Youth Project, Annandale Safe Youth Project and the Annandale Targeted Youth Program. She received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland.
Nandred is active in the Hispanic community and is very dedicated to helping provide a safe haven where youth can grow and thrive. Nandred hobbies include music, dancing, and arts and crafts. Most of all she likes spending time with her husband and two young boys. |
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