Ama and her husband came to America in hopes of a better life and greater opportunities. But for Ama, it was a frightening time in which she found herself totally dependent on her husband. Ama spoke very little English, had no friends or family in her new country and often found herself on the bad […]
From Ziplining to Graduation: A Mentor’s Perspective on the Girls’ Mentoring Program
By Stephanie Hemmert, Girls’ Mentor A little over five years ago, I walked into an Alexandria City Volunteer Information Session knowing I wanted to help in some way and do something, but I wasn’t sure what. I had participated in some literacy tutoring a few years before that, and was looking to get back to […]
Kids Explain “What Community Lodgings Means” to Them
“Community Lodgings is loving, safe, and super awesome.” “This is truly something special because it’s only certain people dedicated to giving, and that’s Community Lodgings!” “I am thankful for the chance I was given to be a voice for my community and to tell others about Community Lodgings, its programs, and how it’s been a […]
A Letter from Denise
Dear Community Lodgings, I’ll never forget walking out of my apartment with my boys for the last time and the bittersweet feeling of how much things had changed in the past two years. Before coming to Community Lodgings, my life was filled with fear. A safe home, free from violence, and providing basic things for […]
Sou-Sou: A Success Story
Sou-Sou is an attentive young mother with one eye and one ear perpetually trained on Colin, her two and a half year old son. Her path to her sleek, modern apartment was not a smooth one. She was isolated and alone, a victim of domestic violence. But her arrival at Community Lodgings’ apartment number four, […]