Alternative House
A Month of Giving

Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!

December 2014 




A Word From Our Executive Director
Executive Director, Judith Dittman


 
As we reflect on the 2014 year, it is hard to believe it is already over! This year, our young people enjoyed so many wonderful experiences, all thanks to the generosity of our community. 


Teens in our Culmore Teen Center felt the exhilaration of report cards lined with A's and B's thanks to education assistance provided by dedicated volunteers. Several young women in our Assisting Young Mothers program became independent and enjoyed the thrill of holding a key to their very own homes. Some of the children in our Safe Youth Projects discovered empathy, patience, and overcame fear through a sponsorship to ride horses.  Many of our young people have not felt the gift of kindness before entering our programs. What you have given us will reach far into the future, because these experiences will never leave their hearts, or ours.

 

Alternative House extends a sincere thank you to generous and caring supporters who help make it possible for us to continue to provide critical support services to at-risk children, youth and families. We could not help as many young people and their families without you. We wish you and your families a very happy new year!

 

Jim and Robison & Robison Services
The Incredible Story Behind One of Our Faithful Community Partners



We would like to take a moment to highlight the efforts of Robison & Robison Services, and their leader, Jim. When we look at the photograph above, we see more than the smiling faces of the dedicated staff that generously donate services to our programs. We see the legacy of a man who got dealt a terrible hand in life, but had the courage to play another round; only this time he would come out winning the entire pot.

Jim was a victim of abuse at a very young age, and although raised by a strong and dedicated mother, he lost trust for all humans and became deeply angry. By age 12, Jim was using drugs and alcohol to cope, and by age 15, he was homeless. The substance abuse was followed by criminal activity. Criminal activity was then followed by incarceration. His destructive path came to a screeching halt when his 7-year-old son bore witness to a drug-fueled, macabre, and brutal attack on Jim. He knew change was necessary and went through periods of sobriety and relapse until he entered a program and gained a sponsor. 21 years of sobriety later, Jim has a family, a business, and a devout appreciation for his ability to transform his life. An ability, he believes, is within any young person.  

It wasn't easy, and it wasn't quick by any stretch of the imagination, But Jim landed on his feet. He sees the young people that come through Alternative House the way he sees himself: humans that deserve protection. He now believes in commitment and trust, and encourages all young people to speak up when they feel something is wrong. He shares,

"If even one person is safe to speak to and share with, tell them everything you can. The sooner it is out, the sooner recovery can begin"

Jim's enthusiasm for his work and his family are palpable to anyone who speaks with him. Robison & Robison's commitment to Alternative House is the embodiment of the commitment Jim believes all young people deserve in order to grow and thrive. Alternative House is a proud partner to this notable and brave human.

Thank you for everything, Jim.

Jim, and his beautiful wife at a recent family event. (Photo Credit: Jim Robison)
Thank you!

We are so grateful for the support we receive all year long, and especially grateful during the holidays. We receive donations of all kinds including goods and services, but beyond that, we also receive donations that can fund a young person's ability to grow and thrive at Alternative House.  

Here is how...

-$100 will provide four teenagers with a therapeutic counseling session at the Emergency Shelter, or it can provide three weeks of food for a young mother and her child at AYM.

-$250 will provide five therapy sessions for a young mother at AYM, or it can provide healthy snacks to children in Alternative House after-school programs for five weeks.

-$500 will provide 10 teenagers with therapy and counseling during their two-week stay at the Emergency Shelter, or it can provide 50 young people with counseling sessions in Alternative House after-school programs.

-$750 provides one month of counseling and support for a young mother at AYM plus two weeks of food for a mother and child, or it can provide safety, supervision, food and counseling for two youth during a one-year period at the Safe Youth Project.

-$1,000 provides five teenagers with safe shelter, food, and 24-hour support for one night each at the Emergency Shelter, or it can provide six weeks of counseling and support for a young mother at AYM.

 

Yoga at Assisting Young Mothers
Highlighting the Successes of Our Young Women

 

The young women in our Assisting Young Mothers program recently took a moment to sit, breathe, and relax during a session of restorative yoga. Many know and understand the struggles of new motherhood, and relaxation is unfortunately not something that comes with creating and caring for another human life. Especially not for a teenager, and certainly not for a homeless teenager, suffering the aftermath of years of domestic violence. Any chance at relaxation vanishes, especially when you feel as though there is no help, or hope in sight.
 

For the young women currently in our program, taking a break is simply not an option, not because they are too stressed out, but because they are too successful! We feel proud to share that all of our strong, young women are thriving and enjoying successes all around. Whether they are employed, in school, or both, the women have been breaking the mold of what defines a teenage mother by accepting help and transforming themselves for their children. A young woman like Cindy was recently able to move into her own apartment after completing the program! While there, she had been working three jobs, going to school full time, and caring for her child.  Just reading that makes you want a day at the spa!

 

After their well-deserved relaxation session, the young women were astonished by how they felt; both relaxed in the body and calm in the mind. One young woman was even brought to tears for a moment, as if she had never felt her body without tension before. The constant stress, fear, abuse, and lack of support over the years had taken a toll on her in a subtle way she had never been aware of.  She had never had a chance to learn how to relax until that moment.
 

Small moments of self-discovery, and constant commitment from program staff are helping these young women gain solid footing.  Now they are focused and driven to build a foundation for their own children. They have hope and confidence which is something they have never experienced before. We are so proud of their successes and so glad they got some time just for themselves.

 


 

 

Staff Shout-out!
Christine, our Resource Manager, and Diana, the Boss.

There is nothing our staff loves more than knowing our community is ready and willing to help provide resources, services, and assistance to create joy and comfort in the lives of our area's vulnerable young people. 

But how do all of those generous resources get sorted, coordinated, and allocated? One word: Christine. Christine Bartell has been Alternative House's Resource Manager for the past four years, and is constantly supervised by Diana (pictured left). The two are always on-the-go between our residential and community based programs, ensuring that our young people and staff have the materials and resources they need in order to succeed, day to day, week to week, and so on. Aside from keeping our Alternative House family running, Christine and Diana are passionate, loyal, and dedicated to improving the lives of others, no matter whom; a quality you can simply hear in the tone of Christine's voice.

She is fierce fighter for our mission, and we are grateful for her dedication each day. Thank you Christine (and Diana)! 
Short-term Volunteer Opportunity!
Alternative House Ambassadors
 

Ambassadors are short-term volunteers who help invite others to our Open Door Information Sessions within a six-month time frame.  These sessions are held every second Tuesday of the month at 10 am3 pm, and 6 pm, and provide a great opportunity to tour Alternative House's Emergency Shelter for Teenagers, learn about our programs, and hear about the successes of our young people. 



 
Our next Open Door Information Sessions will be held on:

  • Tuesday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m
  • Tuesday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m

All Open Door Information Sessions are held at our Teen Emergency Shelter located at 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna VA 22182. Can't make it to the shelter? If you have a group of 10 or more, we can come to you.


 

This is an informational event; you will not be asked to make a financial contribution.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact our Administrative Office at 703.506.9191 or email [email protected].


 

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