A Note from our Executive Director
September is National Preparedness Month, and our first priority at Alternative House is the safety of one of our community's most vulnerable populations-youth.

We prepare in many ways.  All of our programs have plans for what to do if there is a fire, a power outage, a weather emergency, etc.  It doesn't stop with disaster planning, though.  Alternative House also works to help young people prepare to make good choices that will keep them safe.  We talk to young people about  safe dating and violence prevention, depression awareness and suicide prevention, nutrition and health.

Educating our young people helps them to be prepared and stay safe from both natural disasters and unsafe choices. I hope you will join us in assisting young people in our community to stay safe and prepare for a productive life.


  -- Judith Dittman
Keeping Jack Safe
After an anonymous phone call was made to Child Protective Services, "Jack" was discovered living in the house of an older man claiming to be a relative.  The truth was that Jack was a victim of exploitive child labor and other abuse, and he wasn't the first teen who had been abused by the same individual.  

Jack was taken into the custody of Child Protective Services and was brought to the Emergency Shelter for Teenagers while a home was found for him with a foster family.  

During his time at the Shelter, Jack found safety and time to focus on his education. Every day, staff sat down with Jack to read with him and help Jack open up. Jack came to the Shelter withdrawn and shy but as he grew to trust the staff he  gradually came out of his shell. He participated in counseling and contributed to group discussions led by staff.  

After three weeks, Jack was able to re-enroll at school and move in with his new foster family. Alternative House staff check in with Jack periodically to ask how he is doing and to remind him that our door is always open.
Before Disaster Strikes
What can you do to prepare for emergencies?

1. Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to your smartphone.


 

2. Develop an emergency communication plan for your family. This will help you be in touch if a disaster strikes and family members are in different locations.


 

3. Collect important documents and keep them in a safe place. This will help you evacuate without delay and get back on track after the disaster passes.


 

4. Gather emergency supplies. Pack a "go bag" to evacuate quickly and have supplies in the home to be safe without water or power.


 

Parents-- preparing for emergencies doesn't have to fall on your shoulders alone. Children and teens can be part of the process - for their own safety and sense of empowerment.

What can your family do together to prepare for disasters?

-Work together to build an emergency kit.
-Sit down as a family to talk about your communications plan.
-Role-play what you would do during a disaster.
-Hold fire drills in your house.
Courtesy of FEMA
Volunteer Opportunities
     -at our after-school Safe Youth Projects for 4th - 6th graders. Locations in Springfield, Culmore (at Bailey's Crossroads) and Annandale. Volunteers needed anytime Mon-Fri 3:30-6pm. 
               *Minimum commitment: 2 hours per week. Must be 18+.

     -at our after-school Teen Center for 7th-12th graders, located in Culmore (at Bailey's Crossroads). Volunteers needed anytime Mon-Thurs 2:30-9pm and Fridays 2:30-6pm. 
               *Minimum commitment: 2 hours per week. Must be 18+.

     -assist with teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults at our locations in Culmore (at Bailey's Crossroads) and Springfield.

     -assist with teaching sewing classes for adults in Culmore (at Bailey's Crossroads).

     -at our Emergency Shelter for Teenagers located near Tysons at 2100 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182. Volunteers needed everyday, except Thursday. Training provided.

  
If you are interested in volunteering for the positions listed above or other positions, please contact admin_associate@TheAlternativeHouse.org or call 703-506-9191 (email preferred) to learn how to apply.
Volunteer Spotlight
We love our volunteers! Here's a look back at some of 
our volunteers making a difference this year:

Keller Williams beautifying a house for the students at our Homeless Youth Initiative

George Mason University students held a donation drive for prom dresses

La Farge tidying a home for our moms at Assisting Young Mothers

A team of volunteers from Salesforce helped out at our Emergency Shelter for Teenagers
Georgia Southern University students
taking a break from heavy lifting and endless labeling


   
    

 
Fairfax Community Church members tidied the grounds at our Emergency
Shelter for Teenagers 
Bank of Georgetown held a donation drive for Back to School supplies


Community Based Services

 

Food for Others, Roxanne Rice

 

Kentucky Fried Chicken - Little River Turnpike

 

Kentucky Fried Chicken - Bailey's Crossroad

 

V&F Office Supplies, Bill Baggot

 

Optimist Club, Laurie Cole

 

First Baptist Church of Springfield, Richard Priest

 

 

Emergency Shelter for Teenagers

 

Carlos Estin

 

Tysons Corner Rotary Club, Tony Rounds

 

Amee Vermilye

Philip Jaffa

 

Vienna Inn


Vale United Methodist Church, Jan Seeney

 

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Mary Beth Edmondson

 

Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild

 

Joan Herson, Auntie Anne's Pretzels- Tysons Corner

 

Fairfax Community Church, Karen Kellogg

 

Western Fairfax County Woman's Club, Barbara Levermann

 

St. Francis Episcopal Church, Jennifer Murphy

 

Rotary Club of McLean, Eva Sereghy

 

Drink More Water, Ben Landers

John Rutherford, Auntie Anne's Pretzels

 

Starbucks Coffee Company- 8250 D Leesburg Pike

 

Starbucks Coffee Company- Great Falls Center


Kilmer Middle School

Young Men's Service League, Kathy Brown

Multiple Programs

 

Ahmad Amin, Chipotle - Tysons Corner

 

 

Assisting Young Mothers

 

Lewinsville Church Seekers group, Kathy Porterfield

 

 

Homeless Youth Initiative

 

St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, Rev. Jeffrey Mickle

 
Thanksgiving Baskets Donation Drive
We are collecting donations for Thanksgiving! Every year, Alternative House gathers specific food items to put into Thanksgiving Baskets which we then distribute to families in our community just before the holiday. To learn more about our Thanksgiving Baskets donation drive, please click here to read the flyer. Thank you!



Unable to attend an Open Door Information Sessions?
We will arrange a private tour for you and your guests.

Still can't make it? 
Why not?! Just kidding. If you have a group of ten or more guests, Alternative House will come to you! Whether at your workplace, house of worship, civic group, book club, etc, we can bring the Open Door Information Session experience to you and your guests.

For more information about special arrangements, please contact Stephanie Barber at 
Our Wish List
We gladly accept new and gently used items.
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PO Box 694, Dunn Loring, VA 22027    703.506.9191     1.800.SAY.TEEN






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