Population: Veterans

Arm & Arm Inc.

EIN: 47-4617475

Mission Statement

The Arm & Arm Mission is to change the paradigm of how the transition process is addressed. Using our empathetic-based approach, we empower individuals during critical transition periods with tools that enable them to make rational evaluations of themselves and their situations.

Program Summary

Arm & Arm is redefining mental health and recovery by utilizing cutting-edge Cognitive and Somatic Recovery Techniques—proven methods that help individuals  process trauma, regulate emotions, and develop self-sustaining coping strategies. Unlike traditional clinical programs, our model is peer-driven, allowing individuals  with shared life experiences to mentor and guide others through their recovery. 

Impact Statement

Arm & Arm is redefining mental health and recovery support by utilizing cutting-edge Cognitive and Somatic Recovery Techniques—proven methods that help individuals  process trauma, regulate emotions, and develop self-sustaining coping strategies. Unlike traditional clinical programs, our model is  peer-driven, allowing individuals  with shared life experiences to mentor and guide others through their recovery. By providing peer-to-peer mentoring (a system of accountability) and educating the community on the signs and possible interventions to substance use and de-escalation strategies prior to police involvement, Arm & Arm is normalizing prevention as a lifestyle for our targeted population and their families.

What ways can the public get involved?

Arm & Arm is always looking for empathetic volunteers willing to help those in the community living with stigma. Anyone who is willing to donate their time and/or money to assist our efforts in building whole & healthy communities are always welcome.

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

To provide support for training, community outreach services and support.

Information provided March 2025

Legal Services of Northern Virginia

EIN: 54-1137931

Mission Statement

To provide access to justice for disadvantaged individuals and communities.

Program Summary

LSNV provides free legal help to Arlingtonians who cannot afford a lawyer by providing services in a variety of substantive civil legal areas, including: family law/domestic violence, housing law/eviction prevention, consumer protection, elder law, public benefits claims, access to health care, child advocacy, and AIDS/HIV issues. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief service, and representation in administrative hearings and in court, as well as community legal education, and advocacy before local and state governmental entities, all without charge to our clients. 

What ways can the public get involved?

Volunteer.  Every year we work with hundreds of volunteer lawyers and paralegal who help us extend our reach and serve more clients.

Financial support.

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

Donations go to direct services; helping a survivor of domestic violence obtain a protective order and escape the cycle of abuse; helping a low-income family avoid eviction and stay in their home; helping a low-income veteran obtain the benefits that he is entitled to after decades of services; and many other types of cases which impact basic needs.  

Information provided March 2026

Project Knitwell

EIN: 27-2316864

Mission Statement

Project Knitwell helps people facing challenges by providing knitting instruction and shared community opportunities that promote wellness and resilience.

Program Summary

Project Knitwell will develop and deliver programs, resources, and research that demonstrate the benefits of knitting as a tool for achieving wellness, comfort, and community.  Project Knitwell has programs that serves people at Virginia Hospital Center and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, as well as other local medical facilities that serve Arlington residents.  We also have several volunteers that are Arlington residents and we conduct many of our volunteer meetings at the Arlington Central Library.

Impact Statement

Project Knitwell has active programs at 12 sites throughout the Washington, DC area.  Sites include programs for patients and staff at local hospitals, as well as at community sites such as the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Hopelink and N Street Village.  Over 20 volunteers spent approximately 1500 hours annually teaching 1800+ people how to knit.

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can get involved by volunteering to teach knitting onsite, helping Project Knitwell do public events to spread the word, as well as support the organization with other publicity or fundraising activities.

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

Donations to Project Knitwell help provide quality instructional materials for participants, including yarn, needles and reference guides.  Donations also support our volunteer program to recruit, train and retain great volunteers.

Information provided March 2026

The Fenwick Foundation

EIN: 27-4879033

Mission Statement

The Fenwick Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on improving quality of life, health and wellbeing in ways that are not addressed or “below the radar.”  We provide a wide range of therapeutic recreational, cultural and educational outings and activities as well as support programs, including economic support, dental care, and vision care to low-resource and vulnerable adults and older adults, veterans and returning military personnel, people with disabilities, caregivers, and immigrant status adults.  

Program Summary

Enriching Lives — Social, & educational opportunities to attend theater, museums, sporting events, “out-to-eat” group lunches/dinners, zoo visits, parks, river cruises, bowling, movies, etc.  Program addresses mental and physical health needs of  Seniors/Elderly, Veterans, and other special needs individuals living in skilled nursing, assisted living, & group residence facilities to get groups “out-of-the-house” for physical/mental stimulation and activities.  Program encourages more active lifestyle and social interaction.

Dental Care —Project ADAPT provides needed dental care to low-income older adults, immigrant-status low-income adults and people with disabilities not receiving adequate or any dental care.  We provide a full range of  dental procedures/ treatments as well as a dental home for our patients in Northern Virginia.  Far too many do not have financial or logistical access to this basic health care need.  We are determined to change this condition. 

Impact Statement

Enriching Lives has had an impact on those combating mental health and physical health issues.  Our program gets people “out of the house” and into the community to help address the issues of loneliness and isolation.

Our Project ADAPT Dental program has had a major impact on the oral health of those we served.  Pain has been lessened, smiles have been returned, and folks have been able to more easily chew and eat food. Oral health impacts heart and physical health, so our patients have been impacted in these areas as well.

What ways can the public get involved?

Our programs require funding to operate.  Your donations will help us to continue and expand/improve these vital programs.

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

Your donation goes to help fund our programs and keep them running.  Over 90% of donations go directly to fund the organization’s programs.  

Your donations help us to obtain tickets to the activities we sponsor.  And your donations go to directly fund needed dental treatments and procedure for those who otherwise can not afford the cost of dental treatments.

Information provided March 2025

Bridges to Independence

EIN: 54-1368484

Mission Statement

The mission at Bridges is to guide children and families out of homelessness and into stability and self-sufficiency. 

Since 1985, Bridges to Independence has empowered 16,000 homeless children and families in Arlington. What began as a small shelter has grown into a multifaceted family and children services agency.

Program Summary

Bridges provides the following programs for children and families experiencing homelessness in Arlington:

Impact Statement

What ways can the public get involved?

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

Information provided April 2025

Spread The Vote + Project ID

EIN: 81-5308494

Mission Statement

A real democracy cannot flourish unless all of its citizens have full access to the rights and privilege of their citizenship. By helping the citizens and residents of the United States obtain the IDs they need to attain jobs, housing, health care, voting, and more, we build a society in which every human has an equal opportunity to achieve.

Program Summary

We help people obtain state IDs and all documents required to obtain those IDs, including birth certificates, marriage records, etc. We provide the funds for the documents and IDs, transportation to the DMV, and anything else needed to get an ID in the hands of our clients. 

Impact Statement

To date we have helped more than 1500 people obtain IDs in Virginia, more than 800 of those in Arlington. We have been working consistently in Arlington since 2017 and are deeply committed to the community and our clients. 

What ways can the public get involved?

We always welcome volunteers! All of our volunteers who work in Arlington live in Arlington and always welcome new members of the team. We also accept donations of funds as well as goods for our clients and partners.

If you are interested, email volunteers@spreadthevote.org.

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

IDs cost an average of $40 each, donations go mainly to IDs and the documents required to obtain IDs (ex. birth certificate costs start at $20 and increase significantly depending on the state). The average ID cost in Virginia is $28.

Photo of Spread the vote volunteers tabling.

Information provided April 2024

National Chamber Ensemble (NCE)

EIN: 46-4007072

Mission Statement

The Mission of the National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) is to entertain as well as provide opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the art of chamber music, bringing together performers, audiences and composers. The NCE produces high quality chamber music performances for the general public at a reasonable cost. Through our performances and commissions of original musical works we present a full range of chamber music repertoire from the classics to the contemporary. The most important goal of the NCE is to build a sense of closeness between performers and audience that enhances the feeling of community and a deeper musical experience.

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

Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. They support educational programs NCE produces as well as general operation support such as printing, piano movers, piano tuners etc. They may help with special projects involving guest artists.

Information provided March 2025

CARE, Inc.

EIN: 54-1807476

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide and serve our clients with resources, education, enrichment and economic opportunities.  We do this for the disadvantaged and underserved, primarily serving and mentoring low-income, at-risk youth and families.  

We work with community partners and provide them with project/program management and support, fundraising events, technical skills and grant writing. 

Program Summary

Our programs and activities include the following:

Impact Statement

What ways can the public get involved?

CARE is primarily an organization served with volunteers.  We look for volunteers that want to share their knowledge and skills to enrich the lives of our program participants.  Volunteers are needed to mentor, teach and chaperone.  Volunteers works with groups in our gardens and will be helpful in setting up and operating our Farmer’s market and selling goods and services.  No specific skills are required, just time and energy.  Students in middle and high school can volunteer and participate in GAP and Learn to Earn, while preparing for college. 

We always welcome any donations and contributions of resources that we use in our programs and distribute to families in need.  We provide family time meals and snacks and refreshments in our programs afterschool and when we meet with parents.   Parents can attend Dinner Chats to meet service providers and share their needs. 

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

Donations help us to buy and provide school supplies for students, snacks afterschool, meals for family times and programs.  For programs we provide supplies that includes arts & crafts, healthy eating and incentives and awards.  Awards includes trophy’s, certificates, gift cards and gifts to recognize special achievements and accomplishments.  

Student scholarships are awarded to those who want to participate in organized sports, clubs and camps.  Sometimes we supplement fees that can be several hundred dollars for a summer camp.  Donations help to support our summer and afterschool programs with staffing when needed.  Transportation cost for field trips and admissions are needed for those we work with, that cannot afford to pay added cost.   

We use space and facilities that sometimes charges us fees and requires us to have insurance to cover any liability issues. 

Our programs and support for the communities we serve is based on donations, grants and in-kind services. 

Information provided March 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