Entering and completing the Transitional Housing Program with Community Lodgings had a tremendous impact on my life. I entered this program not knowing what career I wanted to pursue in life, or where my job would take me. Today I stand as a teacher who is making a difference in many people’s lives. Community Lodgings […]
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Ambassador Reflections: Karma Yoga for Community Lodgings
Karma Yoga for Community Lodgings Sara Vandergroot, co-owner of Mind the Mat in Del Ray, never planned to be a yoga instructor and massage therapist. She had taught English in South America for two years after college, then studied law at the Marshall–Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, […]
Ambassador Reflections: Paul Haire’s Community Lodgings Story
From Policy to People – Paul Haire’s Community Lodgings Story Paul Haire is a self-described “wonk who used to write social and public policy from 30,000 feet”. Not exactly the background you would expect for his newest career – running Your Dogs Best Friends, one of Alexandria’s best loved dog daycare and boarding facilities. In […]
Ambassador Reflections: Tommy Park
Soccer and Philanthropy: An Interview with Tommy Park by Joy Loving Tommy Park is the executive director of the Alexandria Soccer Association, one of Community Lodgings’ most interactive partners. Tommy shared what attracted him to Community Lodgings and why he thinks our programs have improved the community. How long have you run the Alexandria Soccer […]
Ambassador Reflections: A Former Mayor’s View of Community Lodgings
Bill Euille knows a thing or two about affordable housing and community service in Alexandria. The city’s longest-serving mayor to (2003 – 2016) grew up in affordable housing in Old Town with his brother, sister, and mother Doris. Despite raising three children as a single parent, Doris always found time to volunteer, and took Bill […]
Ambassador Reflections: My City, My Town, My Neighborhood, My Kids
Susan Bray saw the transition coming. She was near the end of her professional career as a marketing sales director in the telecommunications industry where she would spend most of her time sending out surveys and collecting opinions of clients (read more about it here). Additionally, her kids were out of college and establishing their […]
Reflections on Gratitude, Service: Words from a Community Lodgings Volunteer
As the holiday season nears, many of us prepare for the traditions we’ve grown to love. Whether it be spending the entire day cooking with your family on Thanksgiving, decorating gingerbread houses with friends, or even just sharing stories around the fire on a chilly day–the season is filled with reasons to smile. However, these holiday […]
Ambassador Reflections: 5 questions with Jesse Strauss
Five Questions with Jesse Medalia Strauss Jesse Medalia Strauss is the co-founder of Forward Frame Media, a full-service videography company that advocates for progressive social change through visual storytelling. He has produced Community Lodgings’ videos since 2015. What attracted you to Community Lodgings? I was just starting out as a freelance videographer and I saw […]
Ambassador Reflections: The Power of Literature… and Generosity
Community Lodgings’ Love of Literature By Jennifer Kenealy Co-Creator, InspireLit Building bridges between resources and needs to inspire and support kids Alexandria should be proud to have a place like Community Lodgings in their neighborhood. It represents what can happen when dedicated people collaborate to solve problems. Community Lodgings not only addresses housing […]
Ambassador Reflections: “Giving Back is a Principle We Live By”
Investing in Community Lodgings It is nearly impossible to attend a nonprofit event in Alexandria that is not sponsored or supported by Caudron Megary Blackburn Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors (formerly known as Speck – Caudron). The investment firm believes in investing in people and Alexandria, as well as on behalf of their […]