Thanks to our supporters, 120 under-resourced students were provided much-needed educational and supportive services in the past year! Every donor, volunteer, event attendee, or social media follower, made a contribution to help us ensure that our Affordable Housing, Transitional Housing, and Youth Education Programs continue to make an impact on Alexandria’s youth and families in need.
100% of the students in our Youth Education Program (YEP) are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Programs in their schools, exposing the critical need for resources in the community we serve. For homeless and low-income families, being out of school increases children’s exposure to negative influences within the community, eliminates the meals they depended on during the school day, and puts them at risk for academic setbacks. Did you know that some studies have shown that children can lose up to 2 months of spelling and math comprehension without repeated practice? For these children who struggle daily with language barriers and working parents who often don’t have time to help with homework, such setbacks can be especially detrimental.
How do we fight this critical lack of resources together and prepare Alexandria’s children to succeed? For over 20 years, Community Lodgings has provided academic and socio-emotional support for at-risk students to prepare them for success in school and beyond. Our programs consist of after-school tutoring, mentoring, college prep via our NextUp Program, and a six-week Summer Enrichment Camp, while providing hot meals and weekly totes filled with nutritious snacks through our Weekender Program.
Meet Christian, who is currently looking forward to graduating from college in 2024. He attended our out-of-school-time program from the 3rd grade until he graduated high school. Despite all obstacles he faced as a young student, he credits his success to Community Lodgings and YEP.
A first-generation born in America to parents from El Salvador, Christian was a self-identified wild child. “We spoke Spanish in our home and I didn’t learn English until I entered grade school. So here I am, very young, struggling with learning a new language and having to translate for my parents and I was acting out at a very young age. I was an unstable kid; a bit immature. I wasn’t mentally prepared at my age. I even got suspended.”
How can YOU help? Our Youth Education Program has grown from serving 50 students in one learning center in 2003 to now serving up to 130 across three learning centers because of dedicated supporters, like you, who saw a need and took action. As a volunteer, you can work alongside our staff as a tutor and mentor. As a donor, you can make an impact through a financial contribution. With your support, we can continue to grow this vital program together and help more students, like Christian, thrive and achieve their highest potential.
“I entered the Community Lodgings after-school program during the 3rd grade and it really changed my life. The teachers and volunteers, especially the mentors, were great. They made everything fun. Everything was just not dry and boring. It was more interesting than regular school. Without Community Lodgings, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It helped pull me out of tough times. Community Lodgings was a safe place – it was like a family.”
We ask for your support to help us continue to provide these services for students who need them. With a donation, your impact will be life-changing for many other students like Christian. Can you help them?
Your gift today can make a difference in a child’s life that will last a lifetime. Below are just a few ways that your support can help:
$25 – Provides three days of food for our pantry available to our students and families in the community
$50 – Covers college application fees for one student in our NextUp Program
$100 – Provides swimming attire for 5 students learning to swim at our Summer Enrichment Camp
$250 – Provides Weekender tote bags filled with nutritious food for one student for the school year
$500 – Provides backpacks and school supplies for 10 students to start the school year
$1,000 – Funds one field trip or college tour for 25 students
Every gift makes a difference in the lives of those we serve. Help make a life-changing impact for a student with a contribution today!
