Ten Questions with a Community Lodgings Mother – Reina Martinez By Josue Martinez Josue Martinez, an eighth-grader in Community Lodgings’ after school program, recently completed a short course on how to conduct interviews. For his final project, Josue interviewed his mother about Community Lodgings. He introduced himself, explained the purpose of the interview, created open […]
Eight Questions with Karina Wiggs, Community Lodgings’ Director of Operations Karina Wiggs joined Community Lodgings’ staff in November of 1998 – nearly 20 years ago! Find out how Community Lodgings helped Karina find her true passion, and who she wants to be when she grows up. What attracted you to Community Lodgings? I needed a […]
Friends Helping Friends Helping Women Everyone needs a friend. A friend is that trusted person who laughs, cries, celebrates and commiserates with you, and serves as that beautiful reminder that none of us are alone. Friends make life more fun. If you are lucky enough to work with a friend, work becomes more fun too. […]
Jenny’s Journey “I’m not good enough to wash a dog.” That is an odd statement for a job interview, but that is how Jenny McDaniel felt when she applied as a dog washer at Your Dog’s Best Friends in Alexandria ten years ago. Jenny was pulled out of school in the third grade to avoid […]
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 […]
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 […]
On May 9th, we officially held a groundbreaking for our property at 607 Notabene Drive! We are so excited to begin renovations to the building which will allow us to increase our supply of affordable housing by one additional unit. Renovations are expected to be completed by September and will result in six fully renovated […]
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 […]
We did the happy dance on November 29 when Washingtonian Magazine listed us as one of their 24 Local Charities That Are Worth Your Time and Money! We are listed under “If You Want to Help the Hungry and Homeless” and of course we could be listed under “If You Want to Help Kids and […]
Happy December! Although it feels like springtime outside, make no mistake: the season of giving is upon us, and it’s off to a very good start! Let’s count some of the ways our clients are feeling the love…. A TH family enjoyed a performance of The Nutcracker at the Warner Theater thanks to a generous […]
