In This Issue  09-25-15: 

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Join UCM for our Fall 2015 HTH Campaign
Be Part of the Heart ... the Heart of Community!
Fall is here ... and that means it's time for our annual campaign to help at-risk families facing homelessness. What's it all about? Now called our Heart to Heart (HTH) Campaign, it's about working together to make a difference for families in financial crisis. It may seem surprising, but every year we help an average 250 families right here in our own Mount Vernon community who are at risk of losing the place they live, of actually becoming homeless. 
Rita family
Without UCM to help, families like Rita's face life in a homeless shelter or  living in their cars. Help them with a gift by 11/15.
Join UCM this Fall for our HTH 2015 Campaign to raise awareness of this important concern in our community and to build up UCM's funds to help our neighbors in need. Every $400 raised means one one family can stay in their home, with rental or utilities assistance. HTH  is our largest annual community fundraiser. Last year thanks to your help, we raised $90,000 for families in crisis -- and we're counting on your help to reach our new $100,000 goal.

Your generosity helps local families in crisis, families of hard-working people like Rita, a divorced mother of two who had recently lost her main job as a home caregiver when her ex-husband cut off child support.  Her other part-time job was not enough to pay the rent and didn't include health insurance:
"When I first met Rita, she was overwhelmed and so afraid of losing her girls and becoming homeless," says her UCM counselor. "I was able to comfort her and provide referrals including for her daughter's emotional health. Thanks to generous community support, rental assistance of $400 covered her back rent, so they could back on their feet and find a new job. I see working poor families almost eveyr day who are in need of help with their rent or utilities. For so many people, their income or savings are just not enough to cover high housing costs and unexpected expenses."
How can you help reach our $100,000 goal? 
We rely on your generosity to meet the needs of these 250 families. We have many ways to help this Fall, including neighborhood and school walks and fun social events -- or make a campaign gift in any amount online or via check by November 15 (designate your gift to "HTH.")

Thank you to the many schools that have already signed up to host a Help the Homeless walk, including Waynewood Elementary, which has set a goal for their school-wide Oct. 27 event to beat the $6,500 raised last year. We especially appreciate Good Shepherd Catholic Church for a matching gift of $16,000.

To learn more about how you can help this Fall -- including to pick a date for a walk or other social event -- contact Diane Hill at 571.255.8978 or diane.hill@ucmagency.org.

... Because no family should experience the fear of losing their home 
without a caring place to turn for help.  For many, that place is UCM. CAPSTEPSSEPT
Capitol Steps Benefit Performance: Sunday, Nov. 8
Tickets on sale now and going fast!
Our Capitol Steps Benefit  -- hosted by The Friends of UCM -- has moved date and location from January to November.  Join us on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 5 pm for this popular performance at our new location, the  US PTO Madison Auditorium in Old Town Alexandria. 


We appreciate the generous support of our Diamond Sponsors:
Purchase Tickets:  $80 per person,  including appetizers and wine/beer. Click here to purchase online via credit card. To purchase by check, click here for our order form to submit by mail.

Be a Sponsor: Sponsorships are available, starting at $500.  (Ad due date for event program is Oct. 21.) 

Questions? Contact Friend of UCM Nadine Wren at nadinewren@gmail.com or 703.403.4410.  

Your support  helps ensure that Mount Vernon families in need can turn to UCM as a caring place for effective assistance and support. We hope to see you Nov. 8! MOUNTVERNONLEE
This Saturday 9/26: Celebration! Mount Vernon Lee
Stop by the UCM Table & Chili Cook-Off -- UCM is a Sponsor!
Join us at this Saturday's Celebration! Mount Vernon Lee community family event, hosted 
Ad Celebration MVLee
 hosted by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. From 11
am - 3pm, there will be live music and entertainment, free activities for children and seniors, a business expo, fun contests, food for sale, and a new Chili Cook-Off -- hosted by UCM (judging is at 1.30 pm). We hope to see you there! KIWANISDRIVE
This Sat. 9/26:  Kiwanis Food Drive at Safeway Hollin Hall
Look for the UCM Truck from 9am - 5pm
Thank you once again to the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club for hosting a Food Drive for UCM this Saturday 9/26 at Safeway Hollin Hall on Fort Hunt Road.Mt. Vernon Kiwanis 

It's Hunger Action Month -- so please stop by to help the club surpass the last drives' total of 1,036 pounds of food! Click here for a shopping list (pdf) of most needed items for our Food Pantry. We also appreciate and accept cash and check donations so we can purchase perishable items with our agency discounts. Thanks for helping! PORTCITYBEER
This Tues. 9/29:  UCM OcktoberFest at Port City Brewing Company
Join us Anytime from 4pm - 9pm
Bring your friends and join UCM for an Ocktoberfest evening of fellowship with beer tasting Port City Brewing and tours at Port City Brewing Company. A percentage of the evening's sales will benefit our Fall Heart To Heart campaign.

Date:    This Tuesday, Sept. 29
Time:   4pm - 9pm
Price:   $10 for 6 full tasters, plus tour. 
No advance tickets needed. Tasting room open for pints and beers to go. Click here for flyer.
Rocklands
Rockland's BBQ Food Truck will be parked outside for yummy dinner selections. 
In appreciation of September as Hunger Action Month: we will also be collecting canned food items and cash donations to help stock the UCM Food Pantry. See you Tuesday! PumpkinRace
Sun. 10/18: Pumpkin Pace Food Race with The Fun Runz
10K Race with 5K/1 Mile Fun Run - Mason Neck State Park
Fun Runz
Join us on the morning of Sun. Oct. 18 when The Fun Runz hosts the Pumpkin Pace Food Race to benefit UCM at Mason Neck State Park. 

Pries range from $35 to $20. Register online by Oct. 12 so you get the awesome T-shirt! Click here for details and to register.  Event proceeds will go to our Heart to Heart Campaign to assist families in crisis on the brink of homelessness.  THANKSsept
Heart-felt Thanks To ...
All of us at UCM are grateful for the outpouring of support, from so many! Click here to view photos of more of our generous supporters and volunteers.

Vornado/ Charles E. Smith
Vornado We are grateful to property management company Vornado/ Charles E. Smith for the generous Back to School donations from their Crystal City tenants -- a whole car load full! Pictured is Natalie Papademetriou (right) with UCM's Susan Johnson. Your support provided encouragement to every young student who received supplies from UCM. Thanks for helping kids learn and thrive!

Weichert Realtors Alexandria/ Old Town
Weichert Old Town This summer Weichert Realtors Alexandria/ Old Town donated $2,500 to UCM. "As an office, we chose to donate our prize money from a Weichert sales incentive program to this worthwhile cause," said Mark Ackermann, manager. "We're honored to have the opportunity to contribute to an organization that continues to make such a powerful impact in our community and to help make a difference for people in need." Ackermann is pictured presenting the check to UCM Executive Director Nichelle Mitchem, who said: "We are grateful for this generous gift that means help and hope to local families. Your investment promotes opportunity and social mobility, for a vibrant and inclusive community and economy."

Mount Vernon Quilters
Than you to the members of the Mount Vernon chapter of Quilters Unlimited of NoVa, who Quilters spent their summer crafting beautiful blankets and quilts to donate to UCM's vulnerable families and children. Pictured delivering more than 40 one of-a-kind handmade items are (from left) Jeanne Farmer, chair of community service/charity projects,
along with Dianne Tippins, chapter president for 2015/16. "Each and every one of their quilts is uniquely beautiful -- and each one will touch the hearts of a child and family who receives it, as they have already touched mine," says UCM Executive Director Nichelle Mitchem. "The quilters' generosity brings comfort and warmth and joy to people going through difficult times. Thank you so much for making our families and children feel special."  Read our press release at the UCM Newsroom.

Aldersgate United Methodist Women
Thank you to the Aldersgate United Methodist Women for making UCM a beneficiary of their Aldersgate UMW annual Luncheon and Fashion Show in April. Pictured making the $2,035 check presentation to UCM Executive Director Nichelle Mitchem (far right) are Aldersgate UMW President Laura Derby (far left) with Vice President Cindy Harrington. Read our press release at the UCM Newsroom.


We Love our Young Volunteers!
Nicholas
Eight-year-old Nicholas Dunne stopped by recently with mom Lynda & his siblings to donate $61.25, which hollected for his July birthday in lieu of gifts for himself. He told us he wanted it to help children who are not as lucky as his family. He and his siblings also donated backpacks for our Back to School drive earlier this summer, as well as books they have outgrown for our main waiting room. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Nicholas -- you are an inspiration to all of us, young & old(er)!

Thank you to the members of Girl Scout Troop 1914, who did a UCM collection drive for sanitary supplies with sister troops and sewed colorful fabric bags as a troop project. Pictured delivering the donation is Troop member Megan Murchie-Beyma. "We know that sanitary supplies for women increase dignity," said their note. "Not having these items when you are in crisis can severely impact your self-esteem and health. We hope your Basic Needs and case management counselors can share these with members of our community. Please pass on our wishes for good health, good spirits, and dreams for a better future to the individuals and families you work with in our community." Thank you ladies -- we appreciate your thoughtfulness! 
 
Check out our 
"Kids in the Community" webpage for other community service projects by our young volunteers!
UCM_ELC
Job Openings at UCM Early Learning Center
Expert Early Care and Learning in an Affordable Setting
UCM Early Learning
We are hiring now for the following job openings at our 
  • Infant Lead Teacher
  • Assistant Teacher
  • Classroom Aide
For job descriptions and how to apply, visit our UCM Job Opportunities page at our website.

Our Center provides an enriching environment for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. Our special emphasis on social-emotional development ensures our students are prepared to learn when they enter Kindergarten, creating a strong foundation for the rest of their education. Learn more at www.ucmearlylearning.org. VOLUNTEERATUCM
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United Community Ministries
7511 Fordson Rd., Alexandria VA 22306
703.768.7106   info@ucmagency.org
Join Us At the Heart of Community!