Computer CORE

EIN: 54-1968428

Mission Statement

Computer CORE’s mission is to prepare underserved adults in Virginia to realize career aspirations with foundational digital and professional skills.

Program Summary

Computer CORE is a 26-year old organization, which has served Arlington residents since a few years after its founding in 1999. Currently, CORE serves 50-100 Arlingtonians each year. CORE provides one-on-one assistance to individuals who lack digital literacy. We carefully guide each student by giving them a refurbished laptop computer to keep and the basic skills to turn it on, understand the keyboard, begin online assessments and get onto Zoom. Once they can take the computer home and join us on Zoom, the door is opened to over 24 highly individualized computer, English conversation, math, and other classes. Classes are taught by skilled and compassionate volunteers, who understand how difficult it can be for adults to find time for class and to set aside their embarrassment at not having the digital skills needed in today’s society. Students can return for as many classes as they need, and many return even after finding a new job or being promoted, because there is always a need for additional digital skills.

Impact Statement

Computer CORE assists adults to find their career and educational path using digital tools, such as a free computer and the basic skills to use it. As students gain confidence, tech vocabulary and knowledge, they can move beyond our beginning level classes and get introduced to coding, security issues, cloud computing, website design and other topics. CORE is a bridge to more advanced education and certification, such as a community college or 4-year college can provide.

What ways can the public get involved?

Computer CORE recruits volunteers to serve as online classroom lead teachers and Zoom administrators. We also need assistance with events, fundraising, marketing, communication and “back office” tasks. We hold quarterly computer donation drives and are happy to set up a donation table at your residence, business or event.

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

📚 $250 – Provides a free refurbished computer for a student to keep
👩‍🏫 $500 – Supports five weeks of instruction, mentorship, and technical support for one student.
🎓 $1,000 – Fully funds a student’s 10-week journey, including instruction, mentorship, and a laptop.
🏢 $5,000 – Provides training, mentorship, and laptops for five students, helping them gain job-ready digital skills.
🚀 $10,000 – Expands Computer CORE’s reach, supporting program development and new training resources.
🌟 $20,000 – Funds an entire cohort of 20 adult learners, giving them the tools and support needed to succeed in today’s workforce.

Information provided February 2025

Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC)

EIN: 54-0884513

Mission Statement

LAJC partners with communities and clients to dismantle systems that create and perpetuate poverty. We achieve this by integrating individual legal representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, know your rights education, and organizing strategies. We work in and with communities to identify and address root causes of poverty while taking individual cases to mitigate acute impacts. We believe that the individual legal problems of our clients are inextricably linked to overarching systems of injustice and oppression, and that legal and organizing strategies can effectively dismantle the social, racial and economic systems that marginalize communities and keep people in poverty.

Program Summary

The changes to long-standing immigration policies and the mass deportations promised by the Trump administration are an existential threat to low-income immigrants; they threaten their family unity, their safety, and their ability to remain in the country. Additionally, low-income immigrants in Arlington County routinely contend with low-paying jobs and workplace abuses, substandard housing conditions, and threat of eviction.  LAJC’s attorneys, community organizers, and service navigators provide outreach, Know Your Rights education, appropriate referrals, linkages to safety-net services, and legal assistance to low-income immigrants who are facing immigration, housing, health, consumer and education related legal problems.

Our services help low-income immigrants overcome legal problems that threaten:

• 1) their right to remain in the U.S., family safety and unity (defense against immigration detention, affirmative immigration status adjustments, family emergency preparedness, Know Your Rights education on immigration policies and enforcement);  
• 2) their housing stability (e.g., evictions and substandard housing conditions);
• 3) financial stability (e.g., wage theft, predatory lending, debt collection, and access to public benefits and safety-net services).
• 4) their access to education (e.g. enrollment, IEPs, special education and mental health services), and
• 5) their access to affordable medical care (e.g., Charity Care applications, insurance enrollment and appeals, ACA subsidies).

Impact Statement

LAJC’s Know Your Rights presentations in Arlington are tailored to address expressed community needs, topics include: changes in immigration policy, safety in the face of aggressive immigration enforcement, emergency family preparedness, housing conditions and eviction, and how to access safety-net services. These KYRs have made the difference between families remaining safe during an ICE raid and family members being detained.

Our Community Clinics provide an opportunity for community members to receive one-on-one advice and services around immigration issues, including assistance creating family emergency plans and preparing power of attorney documents. We also have service navigators, housing and consumer attorneys present at these events to help address the many challenges low-oncome households face. These clinics provide a one-stop shop for legal services and education that is specific to low-income immigrants in Arlington. 

Brief through extended legal services to low-income immigrants facing an immigration, housing, employment, consumer, health or education related legal problem. These services are crucial to household stability and financial security. Additionally, LAJC’s Immigrant Justice Program is committed to providing immigration consultations to any Arlington resident who is detained in an ICE raid.

What ways can the public get involved?

We are currently looking for people (particularly attorneys) who can help with the preparation of power of attorney documents and guiding families with the collection of information that may be needed if a family member is detained by ICE or other emergencies.  

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

Donations help us employ the attorneys and community organizers that we need in order to provide the legal services, education, and service navigation that low- income immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented or live in mixed-status households, in Arlington need to protect themselves and their families. 

Information provided January 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

Junior League of Northern Virginia

EIN: 54-0651635

Mission Statement

The Junior League of Northern Virginia is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Program Summary

Throughout our robust history, the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) has been at the forefront of making a lasting impact in our community. We support several signature programs, with the collective goal of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Each program also aligns with our focus area, Women Helping Women, and continued commitment to improving the lives of women and families in Northern Virginia through access to essential services and professional development opportunities.

• Volunteer action: Each year, the JLNV donates thousands of volunteer hours to community organizations and programs in alignment with our mission and focus area. Last year, the JLNV provided 805 volunteer hours to 15 different community partners, including the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
• Community Grants Program: The JLNV awards annual grants of funds and volunteer hours through our Community Grants program that support projects aligned with our mission, focus area, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Last year, the JLNV granted $10,000 to five local nonprofit organizations in the Northern Virginia area, including Bridges to Independence in Arlington.
• Period Pantries: To further JLNV’s current focus area, the League is currently running a Period Pantry Campaign. Since 2023, the JLNV has launched five local period pantries across Northern Virginia, while collecting more than 20,000 period products to keep up with demand. Period pantries are designed to address the critical issue of period poverty by distributing free period products to anyone in need.
• JLNV Teens Program: The JLNV is the first League in the nation to establish the JLNV Teens program, an opportunity for high school teenage women to partner with us to ignite lasting change in their community through leadership development and volunteerism. The program, which was launched in Summer 2024, currently has 38 members from over seven local high schools, including from Arlington area high schools.

Impact Statement

Since 1958, the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) has provided tens of thousands of service hours, thousands of hours in leadership training, and millions in financial support to local nonprofits across Northern Virginia. Throughout its history, the JLNV has been a founder for the Children’s Science Center, created the Family Resource Center with Shelter House, and built multipurpose rooms at the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter. Most recently, the JLNV is addressing period poverty in our communities and improving access to menstrual products for women in Northern Virginia through the establishment of our period pantries.

Each year, the JLNV partners with a diverse range of community agencies that reflect our mission, vision and values by providing much-needed volunteer resources and funding. This year, through our Community Grants program alone, the JLNV will contribute more than 330 volunteer hours, valued at more than $11,051, along with awarding $10,000 in grant funding to our community partners.

What ways can the public get involved?

There are several ways that the public can get involved with the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV). First, whether through individual giving, sponsorship, or in-kind donations, your support of the JLNV helps to expand our community programs and build future leaders. Approximately 94% of our community service programs and activities are funded through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.

The JLNV also provides volunteers in response to requests from community organizations that reflect our mission and community focus. Community organizations can request volunteer support for short-term projects or events throughout the year.

Additionally, the JLNV welcomes all women across the Northern Virginia area who value our mission and share a common desire to drive positive change in the community to consider joining our League as members. We accept new members twice a year to be a part of our Spring and Fall New Member Classes. The JLNV is committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities and we embrace the diverse representation of the women reflected in our communities and their wide range of backgrounds, opinions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions and lived experiences. We recognize that diversity among our members and our community outreach is critical to accomplishing our mission.

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

Donations help the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. As a donor, you are empowering the JLNV to continue our community work by:

• Maintaining 5 Period Pantries across Northern Virginia, improving access for women to much-needed, but often out-of-reach menstrual products.
• Volunteering 100s of hours of time to local community organizations that are committed to improving the lives of women and families in Northern Virginia.
• Investing in the community work of local nonprofits selected through our annual Community Grants program (totaling $10,000 annually) who are committed to improving access to essential services and professional development opportunities for women and families.
• Building the leadership potential of our community’s 300+ women leaders through training, project management, and board service experience.

Information provided March 2025

Food Pantry at St. George’s

Mission Statement

The mission of our Food Pantry, Arlington’s longest running, active food pantry: to serve as a vital source of food and fellowship for Arlingtonians who are in great need. Our goals and commitment – to provide equitable access to resources and opportunities needed for EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER to be healthy, safe, and economically secure.

Program Summary

The Food Pantry at Saint George’s Episcopal Church, the oldest in Arlington, was established in 1989. Our mission is to serve as a vital source of food and fellowship for people in need in the Arlington community. By partnering with parishioners, local organizations, and individuals in the area, we help create a community solution to a community challenge.  It is a fully-volunteer, unpaid Church ministry.

We provide one bag of food items that will last a client for 2 days, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Typical items include bottled water, boxed milk, canned vegetables, canned and microwavable pasta, canned and instant soup, instant oatmeal, applesauce cups, snacks, and fresh fruit.  Basic personal care staples, baby wipes and diapers are also handed out.

Impact Statement

Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we serve approximately an average of 70 Arlingtonian’s daily.  During the first quarter of 2026, the highest number of guests we served in one day topped 108.  Visiting us each day we are open provides clients’ food to last six days.  

No one is denied food.  Clients are welcome to a wide variety of food offerings.  Baby wipes and diapers are handed out for mothers with infants.

Our number of Food Pantry clients is steadily increasing.  The number of clients served doubled from 2024 to 2025 and the start of 2026 shows a similar trend.

What ways can the public get involved?

We would be most grateful for cash donations that will allow us to replenish our weekly food supplies.  We appreciate food donations that include bottled water, canned and boxed food goods.  We welcome volunteers who can help prepare our bagged items and feed those who come to our Food Pantry.   

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

• $5.25 will provide one client two days-worth of groceries.
• $15.75 will provide one client a week’s worth of groceries.
• $63 will provide one client a month’s worth of groceries. 

Information provided March 2026

Little Beginnings Child Development Center

EIN: 52-1306992

Mission Statement

Established in 1986, Little Beginnings Child Development Center℠ is a non-profit, year-round, full-day childcare center based in Arlington, Virginia.

At Little Beginnings we believe that each child is entitled to responsive and respectful care, attuned to his or her developmental abilities, individual temperament, and interests. Through a collaborative framework, parents and teachers work together to create an inclusive, safe and nurturing environment where all children will grow and thrive.   

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

As a non-profit organization, we welcome children and families from all backgrounds. Donations assist us with providing high-quality education to low-income children at our center. 

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

Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA)

EIN: 82-4681676

Mission Statement

CYFA expands educational opportunity, cultivates growth and resilience, and activates youth leadership and community contribution.

Program Summary

The Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) expands educational opportunity, cultivates growth and resilience, and activates youth leadership and community contribution. Across Arlington, CYFA is building the infrastructure that ensures young people have access to opportunity, support, and pathways to lead.

CYFA’s work reflects a clear progression. Through Guiding Personal Success (GPS), youth access opportunity in safe, engaging environments, including The Zone for elementary students and Guiding Personal Success to Youth Employment Services (GPS2YES) for middle and high school youth. CYFA delivers these programs in Arlington Public Schools and in partnership with Affordable Homes and Communities, providing academic support, social-emotional learning, and opportunities to build healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy relationships, along with college and career exploration.

As youth grow, they develop accountability and leadership through the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), a community-based alternative to the juvenile justice system where young people take accountability and repair harm through restorative practices, including PEER and Youth Peer Court (YPC), with advanced leadership through Youth Peer Court Ambassadors.

Youth then step into contribution. Through The Next Chapter, CYFA supports youth in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and through reentry, connecting them to education, workforce opportunities, and community resources. Through the Justice Leadership Club and CYFA’s Youth Advisory Board, youth lead and create meaningful change.

Impact Statement

CYFA’s work ensures that young people have access to opportunity, develop the skills and resilience to navigate challenges, and step into leadership within their communities. Through consistent, relationship-based support, youth remain engaged in school, strengthen decision-making and accountability, and build pathways toward college, careers, and long-term stability.

In 2025, CYFA served more than 320 youth, reaching hundreds of family members through engagement and connection to resources. In 2026, 100 teens participated in CYFA’s youth-led Listen Learn Lead Summit, demonstrating the power of youth leadership in action. Across afterschool programs, 60 young people are actively engaged in academic support, social-emotional learning, and skill-building.

Through the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), CYFA provides a community-based alternative to the legal system, with 99% of youth successfully completing the program and 9 in 10 avoiding deeper system involvement. Every $1 invested in YRDI returns $8 in social value.

Through reentry and leadership pathways, youth not only stay connected to opportunity, but contribute to their schools and communities, strengthening the broader Arlington community.

What ways can the public get involved?

Community members can stay informed through CYFA’s newsletter and Instagram, learning more about our work and the ways we support youth and families across Arlington. Sharing CYFA’s work and using your voice to raise awareness helps expand opportunity for young people.

Financial support is critical to sustaining CYFA’s programs, including educational opportunity through Guiding Personal Success (GPS), restorative diversion through YRDI, and youth leadership initiatives.

There are also opportunities to give your time. Volunteers can support events such as the Listen Learn Lead Summit and other youth engagement activities.

You can also help connect young people to leadership opportunities by sharing pathways to get involved, including the Youth Advisory Board and Youth Peer Court and PEER Ambassador roles.

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

Your donation to CYFA directly supports programs that expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and build youth leadership across Arlington.

Contributions sustain Guiding Personal Success (GPS), including The Zone and GPS2YES, which provide academic support, social-emotional learning, and opportunities for young people to build healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy relationships while exploring college and career pathways.

Your support also powers the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), including PEER, Youth Peer Court (YPC), and Youth Peer Court Ambassadors, which provide restorative, community-based alternatives that help young people take accountability, repair harm, and stay connected to school and opportunity.

Donations fund The Next Chapter, supporting youth in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and through reentry with education, workforce readiness, and ongoing guidance, as well as leadership opportunities like the Youth Advisory Board, Justice Leadership Club, and youth-led events such as the Listen Learn Lead Summit.

Additional support makes community-based experiences like Unplugged possible, creating safe spaces for connection, well-being, and positive peer engagement.

Together, your investment ensures young people have the support, relationships, and opportunities they need to grow, lead, and contribute.

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