Population: Families

OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church

EIN: 54-1024562

Mission Statement

OAR is a community-based nonprofit organization that envisions a safe and thriving community where those impacted by the legal system enjoy equal civil and human rights. Through our Upstream work, we are confronting and dismantling individual racism and racism in the legal system and across all systems. Our Downstream work allows us to be on the journey with individuals of all genders returning from incarceration and their families. We also offer alternative sentencing options (including community service) and diversion programs so people can avoid the trauma of incarceration and instead help the community thrive. 

Program Summary

OAR Upstream:

Racial Justice + Liberation 

We lift the voices of Black, Indigenous, Latinx/e/o/a, Asian, and Mulitcultural (BILAM) people who have experienced racism and other intersecting forms of marginalization and challenge white people (WP) and those who have benefited from personal and systemic racism to become leaders in dismantling injustice and redressing the harm caused by personal racism. Efforts include facilitating multiple intensive virtual learning cohorts for community members and especially those working in law enforcement and the criminal legal system that address liberation and dismantling whiteness. 

OAR Downstream: 

Reentry Services 

We work with individuals at the Arlington County Detention Facility, the Adult Detention Center in the City of Alexandria, the closest Virginia state prison, and other correctional facilities who are preparing to return to the community and who come back to Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church. We also journey with their families before and after release. Our efforts in facilities include pre-release workshops focused on reentry issues, health and wellness, group psychotherapy, and transition planning. After release, we provide direct services (such as housing assistance, clothing, transportation, smartphones, laptops, debt repayment, and ongoing help with rent and other expenses), offer a comprehensive Employment Program, and facilitate an ongoing weekly virtual support group for program participants. OAR also established a pilot, gender-responsive, clinical services initiative providing a range of reentry services specifically tailored for individuals identifying as women/female/femme who are coming home to the community after experiencing incarceration. 

Alternative Sentencing + Diversion 

OAR works with Arlington County and the City of Falls Church Courts to provide alternative sentencing and diversion programs. OAR’s community service program allows individuals to do volunteer work in the community in lieu of jail time and fines, to work off their accrued court costs, and also pay court costs. OAR is implementing a Diversion program in partnership with the Vera Institute and Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney – Arlington County and the City of Falls Church with the goal of reducing recidivism as well as racial disparities amongst individuals sentenced to diversion programs. (by 20% each year) 

Impact Statement

OAR is a Collective, non-dominant, decolonizing, pro-Black, racially just, radically joyful, deeply loving, come as you are, liberated organization that puts participants first. We center authentic and fully engaged relationships with all members of the OAR community. Our goals include partnering with those who have experienced incarceration so they can create a safe reentry for themselves and preventing other individuals from enduring that trauma through alternative sentencing programs. With our upstream social justice work, we hope to spur the type of pro-Black racial justice activism that will help ensure that no one will need our social services and OAR no longer needs to exist 50 years from now. 

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Information provided March 2026

Read Early and Daily (READ)

EIN: 82-3345797

Mission Statement

Ensuring babies and young children have new, quality, culturally relevant books of their own that are mirrors and windows into their everyday lives and communities

Program Summary

FACT: All babies are born with the same number of neurons…BILLIONS. 

FACT: Neurons are pretty much useless unless they make a connection (aka synapse).  

FACT: Connections are made through talking, singing, cuddling, and most importantly, READING books with your baby. 

Every time a book is read to a baby, a connection is made in their brain, that is, a neuron is activated (*lit up*). Isn’t that amazing?! It’s that simple.

BUT without books in the home, reading to babies and young children every day is nearly impossible. 

READ was created to address reading inequities faced by Arlington’s youngest and most economically vulnerable children. We meet expectant, uninsured families at their prenatal appointments and start them off with a baby book bag filled with five board books plus tips for reading. When the baby is born, they are automatically enrolled in our cornerstone program READ With Me and receive a texted order form for a new FREE, quality, culturally relevant book each month for their baby’s first year. In addition, they receive monthly reading texts and tips.

Impact Statement

In 2024, over 400 babies and toddlers from economically vulnerable families were enrolled in our cornerstone program READ With Me, allowing their families to choose and receive a new, quality, age-appropriate, culturally relevant book every month. 

One family’s story

Annie, age 2, has received 28 books from READ: five prenatally and one each month via READ With Me. READ is her family’s only source of books.  These books have helped Annie’s brain develop, and she has gained the following skills:

What ways can the public get involved?

READ with Me Book Fairies (Delivery Drivers)

Email clairemorris@readearlyanddaily.org for more information and to sign up to volunteer.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Our model is simple. READ gets free, quality, culturally relevant books to vulnerable babies when they need them the most. You can choose to help one baby or many babies.

When you support READ, YOU are enhancing the literacy and language experiences of economically vulnerable babies and toddlers at their most vital brain development by providing books for them to keep and for parents to read aloud. These early simple acts of reading together sets a baby on the path to future academic success and self-sufficiency. 

Information provided March 2025

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation

EIN: 47-1374686

Mission Statement

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation serves economically vulnerable mothers and babies by increasing access to much-needed health care support, conducting research to affect systemic change, and ensuring they have the supplies needed to bring baby home. In honor of Jennifer Lawson, a loving mother of three who tragically lost her life in 2014, we aim to honor her dedication, generosity, and kind heart by fulfilling the vision that she crafted for every mother and baby in need.

Program Summary

We have 3 primary initiatives to accomplish our mission. The first is to ensure families have everything they need to bring baby home safely – from cribs to car seats. The second is to increase access to quality care by funding innovative pilots – such as tele-health – that enable these families to access care that meets their daily needs. The third is to raise awareness of the issues facing this community through thought leader events and social media promotion. 

Impact Statement

Throughout our 9-year history we have served more than 3,000 families, provided more than 350 basics materials, hosted 10 awareness campaigns, and funded more than $250,000 to support Including projects focused on infant care, tele-health, & maternal mental health. In addition to these mission related activities, we strive to be nimble in an ever-changing environment to help these families in other important ways. For example, in 2020 we launched a program to put kitchen staff back to work while delivering home cooked meals to new mothers whose family were affected by the economic shutdowns. 

What ways can the public get involved?

We have two ways of getting involved with the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation. Volunteer throughout the year by helping us collect gently used baby supplies such as car seats, strollers, and portable cribs. In addition, our signature fundraising event, the 5K and Family Fun day is always in need of volunteers. This event is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the Knights of Columbus.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation is giving economically vulnerable mothers and babies renewed hope by increasing access to much-needed health care support, conducting research to affect systemic change, and ensuring they have the supplies needed to bring baby home. Your support changes lives. 

$25 helps provide a breastfeeding starter pack
$50 helps provide a portable crib
$100 helps provide a car seat

Information provided March 2025

Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC)

EIN: 54-1026365

Mission Statement

The residents of Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) are at the heart of all we do. We build opportunity by creating quality homes with holistic resident services. We drive change through innovation, genuine partnerships, and responsible investment.

AHC envisions a world where all people share the same opportunities regardless of income, race, or other qualities; where housing is integral to a healthy, welcoming, and equitable society; and where affordable homes are available to all. 

Program Summary

AHC’s Resident Services program provides a multitude of services for children, families, adults, and senior citizens. The resident-driven program focuses on four key areas of housing stability:

Education & Youth Development: AHC’s educational programs for students K-12 encourage academic and personal growth.

Health & Wellness: AHC supports residents’ holistic well-being by promoting physical, mental, and social health.

Economic Mobility: Through onsite programming, we ensure residents have access to stable housing and key resources to help them thrive.

Community Building & Engagement: Our communities host a variety of activities to bring residents together and build strong connections among neighbors.

Impact Statement

Affordable Homes & Communities provides quality affordable housing enriched by a nationally accredited Resident Service program. In 2025, 6,750 residents were positively impacted by our education and youth development, health and wellness, economic mobility, and community engagement programs. 1,700 residents attended health-related programs, 865 residents were supported with employment services, 165 elementary students participated in the Afterschool Program, and 700 community building events were hosted. This year, AHC proudly recognizes 50 years of building quality homes with holistic resident services.

What ways can the public get involved?

Please visit our website to learn more:

·  Volunteer. Join us to tutor students, distribute groceries to a senior citizen, serve a holiday meal, and much more. Activities are available for individuals and groups.

·  Donate. Consider making a special tribute gift, ask your employer if they will match donations, or share a meaningful gift through your donor-advised fund.

·  Partner with us. We welcome the opportunity to create a meaningful community, corporate, or advocacy partnership to best match your interest in supporting AHC residents.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Contributions to Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) support the year-round Resident Services program. AHC provides vital social services and onsite education, economic, and wellness programs to improve the lives of AHC residents. 

Your generosity means more neighbors from low-income households will have a safe and nurturing place to access budgeting workshops, rent relief, vaccine clinics, job readiness workshops, community movie nights, tutoring, summer camp, field trips, college prep for teens, and much more. Thank you!

Information provided March 2026

Wesley Housing

EIN: 51-0155779

Mission Statement

At Wesley Housing, we build up the lives of our most vulnerable community members by creating and operating healthy, inclusive, stable, affordable housing communities and providing supportive resident services.

Program Summary

Beyond building/preserving permanent housing options for low- and moderate-income persons across Virginia and Washington, DC, we strive for our housing to be a foundation to thrive. We do this by offering free support services/education to every resident to guide them on their paths to self-sufficiency. As such, our core lines of business are real estate development, asset management, property management, and resident services. 

Through our Housing Stability Initiative (HSI), the basis of our resident services programming, Wesley Housing provides supportive services to all 4,700+ residents on-site in their communities, including 380 households in Arlington. The Initiative operates on the basis that housing is the foundation vulnerable families need to thrive, and once stabilized, families can build up other aspects of their lives. As such, in addition to eviction prevention support, the HSI also provides workforce development opportunities, health/wellness offerings, and material assistance. 

Impact Statement

For more than 50 years, Wesley Housing has provided permanent, affordable housing to over 35,000 households experiencing financial insecurity. 

Today, we own 42 communities, including multi-family apartments and communities for older adults/individuals with disabilities/chronic disease. Five of these communities are located in Arlington County and are home to 840 residents, 87% of which are BIPOC and earn $41,470/ year on average for a household of two. 

At the same time, we are still rapidly expanding. Our Real Estate team has over 850 affordable units in its development pipeline, including new construction and renovations, such as the Melwood-Wesley Inclusive Community in Arlington.  

The impact we make each year is measured by the success of our residents. In 2024, 1,351 households accessed linkage and referral services. Through the work of our resident services team, 286 evictions were prevented, 18 residents received new/more gainful employment, 346 residents participated in health/wellness offerings, and 1,884 residents received material assistance (i.e. food/hygiene items). This summer, we served 85 youth through Quest summer camp, and launched Odyssey for older adults, engaging 180 participants. In addition, 455 K-12 students received new backpacks and supplies through Supplies for Success, and over 600 residents received holiday assistance through Holiday Help.

What ways can the public get involved?

Wesley Housing welcomes support of our major giving campaigns throughout the year including the Housing Stability Initiative (year-round), QUEST Summer Youth Enrichment Program (April/May), Supplies for Success (July/Aug), and Holiday Help (Nov-Dec). 

In addition, volunteers serve in many capacities including youth and adult education assistants and tutors; translators; holiday helpers (gift wrappers, sorters, delivery drivers); school supplies donation sorters and delivery drivers; food pantry assistants; youth summer camp chaperones; and more.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Donations help strengthen our award-winning Housing Stability Initiative (HSI) by allowing us to adequately scale our resident services to our growing portfolio. Following a recent merger with Virginia United Methodist Development Corporation, Wesley is well-positioned to serve over 4,700 individuals with low income across 42 communities this year. Funding will help ensure each of these community members have access to the support they need to thrive. 

Information provided March 2025

Capital Caring Health

EIN: 54-1920770

Mission Statement

Capital Caring Health’s mission is to provide compassionate end-of-life support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, offering high-quality care to patients of all ages and their families, regardless of one’s ability to pay. 

Program Summary

At Capital Caring Health (CCH) we provide comprehensive hospice care, including a dedicated bereavement program to support families. 

Through our Capital Caring Kids (CCK) program, we offer specialized pediatric care that addresses the social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of children facing serious illness. CCH and CCK provide compassionate care for the entire family, understanding the impact of long-term illness on loved ones. We provide support through the challenges of illness and help families navigate each step along the way. 

Impact Statement

In 2024, Capital Caring Health provided care to 6,545 patients and offered bereavement support to 4,752 individuals. Capital Caring Health is projected to provide $1,463,000 in charity care to cover services and supplies. 

What ways can the public get involved?


Capital Caring Health provides a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more details, please visit this link: https://www.capitalcaring.org/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

At Capital Caring Health

At Capital Caring Kids 

Information provided March 2025

The Sycamore School

EIN: 47-4551914

Mission Statement

To provide a dynamic, nurturing and personalized education that inspires a passion for learning, self-discovery and connection to the community. 

Program Summary

TSS follows a mastery-based learning model that integrates academic development, social and emotional growth, and civic engagement.  We create a meaningful learning process, whereby teachers personalize instruction according to students’ interests, needs, and aptitudes. Teaching focuses on cultivating transferable skills in students that apply to various jobs or tasks across settings, such as effective communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. We don’t give grades or tests; our core learning tools include feedback and reflection.  We’re intentionally small, maintaining a 1:6 teacher to student ratio for middle school and 1:7 for high school. We can accommodate students who have a specific learning disability, anxiety, ADHD, high functioning autism, and/or social skills deficits. However, we are not a school specifically for students with learning struggles. We want to attract a cross section of students who reflect the diversity that is present in our larger population. Our target student is curious, wants to learn, and is looking for a more progressive learning environment. 

Impact Statement

TSS provides personalized, inquiry-based experiential learning, helping students make connections across content areas and to the real world. Many of our students learn differently and may require a more flexible learning environment that explicitly teaches executive functioning skills and social emotional skills alongside academic skills. Our accommodations are specific to the student and we provide both remediation and acceleration depending on the student and their unique needs. Many of our students are twice exceptional (2E), meaning that they are gifted in one area but struggle in another area. Our students cultivate the skills necessary to  be independent life-long learners, such as effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, cognitive flexibility, perspective taking, and teamwork. In middle school, our focus is on skill development. In high school, we want our students to apply the skills they’ve learned to new situations, effectively advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their learning. Our students graduate TSS with a mastery-transcript that is similar to a digital portfolio, showcasing their areas of study, strengths, and interests. It includes the skills they have mastered and exemplar pieces of work, such as a capstone project.

What ways can the public get involved?

We partner with other nonprofits, local businesses, and professionals in our community to provide community service, a speaker series, internships, career day, and volunteer opportunities. Fridays are TSS’s community-based learning days, where our students go into the community on field trips and community service outings. Sometimes, the community comes to us. We regularly host guest speakers  and have school demonstrations and activities. Individuals can volunteer to be a guest speaker, capstone project mentor, and/or a community partner. 

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

TSS is a small independent nonprofit school that does not receive any federal or state funding. As such, our revenue comes from tuition and fundraising. We raise funds to offer need-based financial aid and reach underserved students. We are always striving to increase the diversity in our community. We try to keep our tuition affordable to attract a wide range learners. Many of our students are neurodivergent and require small classes and individualized instruction to access the curriculum. Other students have felt unsafe in larger school settings and seek an inclusive safe space to be their authentic selves. We are proud to have a large LGBTQIA+ community at our school, reflected in our students and staff. 

Information provided April 2025

Columbia Pike Partnership

EIN: 54-1374148

Mission Statement

Our mission is to foster a vibrant, safe, connected, and diverse Columbia Pike community. We exist to be the convening body representing the interests of all those who live, work and visit Columbia Pike. Our vision is of an authentic, exciting, and accessible Columbia Pike community where social, ethnic, and economic diversity is celebrated. We value inclusiveness, connectivity, heritage, and prosperity. We strive to make Columbia Pike a place for all people – one that people of all walks of life can enjoy and/or call home.

Program Summary

Impact Statement

All of our place making events are free to the community and family friendly, providing the opportunity for all of the Pike’s 40,000+ residents to gather and enjoy entertainment in an inclusive environment, and also attracts visitors to the corridor. Our business outreach touches any business on the Pike looking for resources and assistance navigating interactions with the County. Our farmers market brings fresh local food to the community, and was the first to support SNAP benefits in Arlington. Our weekly newsletter reaches over 9,000 recipients, keeping the community informed about events and programs in the corridor, sharing information for both residents and businesses. 

What ways can the public get involved?

Volunteer opportunities, donations to support programs and events.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Donations support all of our programs and events to keep those activities free to the public.

A close-up photo of a shade tent at a festival. The tent reads "columbia-pike.org" and has mini flag from around the world hanging from it.

Information provided April 2025

NAMI Northern Virginia

EIN: 51-0241920

Mission Statement

Our mission is to serve Northern Virginia individuals, family members, and friends affected by mental health challenges through awareness, education, support, advocacy, and collaboration with community partners.

Program Summary

NAMI Northern Virginia educates, advocates, and provides support to those impacted by mental health concerns. All our programs are free to the public, and we like to get people, the public, knowledgeable about mental health so that they don’t face a crisis. We don’t focus only on the peers, those living with mental illness. We are also concerned about helping and advocating for the families and loved ones that support them.

Supporting mental health is about more than just connecting to treatment. NAMI Northern Virginia provides the services needed to support wellness in our community, from lending a listening ear to a concerned family member, to working with individuals long-term connecting to resources for legal and housing assistance. Finding support in groups provides those in need a sense of community, a place where they know they are not alone, a place to share their experiences and gain support from others who understand. 

Some of our no cost programs include:

Education

NAMI Northern Virginia’s training and education team work to give best-in-class information on de-escalation, mental health signs and symptoms, and mental wellness – in the home, the workplace, and with loved ones. Our training is trusted to provide honest and open conversations that not only educate but shift perspective around mental health support and community, breaking stigmas associated with mental illness.  These training sessions leave participants feeling empowered to invest in mental wellness and supported on their mental health journey. 

Support Groups

NAMI Northern Virginia holds support groups for people with mental health conditions, and for family members, and loved ones of people with mental health conditions . Led by trained leaders who’ve been there and faced similar experiences, participants gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others.

Classes

Our classes provide information and strategies for taking care of yourself and the person you love, while understanding that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope. The group setting of NAMI’s SAMSHA evidence-based classes provide mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Our classes are safe, confidential spaces. Courses provide an opportunity for mutual support and growth. 

Impact Statement

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides free advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. NAMI Northern Virginia is a NAMI affiliate serving the over 2.4 million people of Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun Counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church. NAMI’s programs can help you to better understand your or a loved one’s mental health condition. You will learn from connecting with others who have similar experiences. All of our support programs are free, confidential, and peer-led. Simply put, NAMI Northern Virginia is an organization of peers and families. They understand because they’ve been there too.

In 2023, NAMI Northern Virginia provided over 10,000 touchpoints of service to people in the Northern Virginia area. They include individuals living with mental health conditions, their family members and friends, mental health professionals, law enforcement and first responders, and our neighbors.

What ways can the public get involved?

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities available

Information provided March 2026