ACT for Alexandria

ACT is thrilled to announce a new grant opportunity - led by the Fund for Racial Equity Community Advisory Board - is coming soon!

These grants will support efforts to advance racial equity in Alexandria, focusing on Housing, Child Welfare, Health, and Education. Grant applications will open from July 25 to August 22, and individuals or non-profit organizations can apply for grants up to $2,000. Matching grantmaking dollars to the Fund for Equity are generously provided by the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

Important Dates:
July 25: Grant applications open
August 22: Applications close

Let’s work together to make a difference! Apply now and help advance racial equity in our community.

For more info: https://www.actforalexandria.org/initiatives/t/fund-for-racial-equity/

Our team has enjoyed diving into this book!

David Brooks explores the essential skill of truly seeing others and making them feel valued and understood—a skill crucial for healthy relationships and a thriving society.

Alexandria values this belief in our community and we are fully aware that we can’t make the difference we seek to make if we can’t truly understand others and foster deeper connections with our peers.

We'd love to hear from you! If you've read this book, what have you learned from it? How has it impacted your interactions and relationships?

Share your thoughts with us!

Are you a rising 9th-12th grader or know one looking to become one of our City's next leaders?

The Youth Leadership Conference empowers emerging young leaders by providing them with training opportunities and resources. Register by Aug. 2. Learn more: https://alexandriava.gov/go/4673

What would your life be like if fear was not a factor? How have your ancestors shaped your story?

These are just a few questions that came up as the ACT team discussed “How to Know a Person - The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen” by David Brooks

Brooks shared that the ability to connect is not something you’re either good at or not, but a set of skills you can develop and grow into. He challenged us to be illuminators - asking good questions, being curious, and seeking to appreciate others in the fullness of their humanity. As we seek to live into our mission, will you join us in being illuminators?

Have you read the book? Share your thoughts!

Are you a community leader or a nonprofit organization looking to advance racial equity in Alexandria? ACT is thrilled to announce a new grant opportunity led by the Fund for Racial Equity Community Advisory Board!

These grants will support efforts to advance racial equity in Alexandria, focusing on Housing, Child Welfare, Health, and Education.

Grant applications are open from July 24 to August 21, and individuals or non-profit organizations can apply for grants up to $2,000. Matching grantmaking dollars to the Fund for Equity provided by Greater Washington Community Foundation.

Stay tuned for more information!

Don't forget! The Welcoming & Belonging Grants deadline is TOMORROW!

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we're offering $20,000 in grants for activities during Welcoming Week (Sept 13-22).
Join us in fostering inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.

Apply now! www.actforalexandria.org/initiatives/t/welcoming-belonging

ACT is a proud member of the Alexandria Council of Human Service Organizations (ACHSO), and we're thrilled to welcome several new outstanding leaders to the team!

Please join us in welcoming our new executive committee members:
-Ingris Moran , Lead Organizer, and Workers United - Inquilinos y Trabajadores Unidos
- Sonja Allen , Executive Director, of Guest House
- Melissa Gelinas , Director of Programs, Liberty's Promise
- Jenn Ayers , Executive Director, ALIVE !
- Lee Anderson , Executive Director, Senior Services of Alexandria
- Mary Homer, Landlord Tenant Division Chief, Office of Housing, City of Alexandria, VA

We can't wait to see the positive impact they'll bring to our community!

We are honored to announce that ACT for Alexandria has received a proclamation from Mayor Justin Wilson and the Alexandria City Council in celebration of our 20th anniversary!

This proclamation is a testament to the incredible impact we've made together over the past two decades. From connecting donors with causes they care about to partnering with local organizations, we've achieved so much as a community.

We are grateful for your support and collaboration, which has been essential in making Alexandria a better place for everyone.

Here's to 20 years of impact and many more to come!

Celebrate 275 Years with Alexandria! 🎆

Join the ALX community TOMORROW for a once in a lifetime event as the City of Alexandria celebrates its 275th and the USA's 248th birthday!

The event will be held at multiple locations including:

🩵 MAIN LOCATION: Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St.
🩵 Canal Center Plaza, 44 Canal Center Pl.
🩵 New Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St.
🩵 George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr.

The event includes live music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and ends with the grand finale -- a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. For event details, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Birthday

The Youth Support Network is rebranding as “Alexandria Beyond the Classroom” or “ALX Beyond!”

As the network evolves into an independent entity, the Executive Committee selected a name that represents the 100+ youth-serving organizations who provide high-quality, meaningful K-12 programming to Alexandria’s young people.

The ALX Beyond website and Youth Program Locator are coming soon!

When our community invests in youth, we’re encouraging progress toward a more just and equitable society in the future.

ACT’s Youth Council gives Alexandria’s young people the decision-making power and resources to address key issues. In 2023, the Youth Council compared two racially and economically segregated zip codes in Alexandria and examined youth’s access to resources in each.

Through their research, the members of the Youth Council were able to uncover disparities, then bring them to light in a presentation to the City Council and school board members.

To stay informed on the Youth Council visit https://www.actforalexandria.org/initiatives/t/youth-philanthropy-council/

Stay in the loop and make a difference!

Sign up now for ACT's monthly newsletter and be the first to know about community initiatives, events, and ways to get involved. Join us in building a stronger, more connected Alexandria!

To sign up, visit our website and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Enter your email and we’ll do the rest! www.actforalexandria.org

The deadline is approaching! Don't miss out on our Welcoming and Belonging Grants!

ACT is proud to join CFLeads and Welcoming America in fostering inclusive communities where everyone can thrive and feel they belong, from newcomers to long-time residents.

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we're offering $20,000 in grants for activities during Welcoming Week (September 13-22). The grant application is open now through July 18.

Apply now:
https://www.actforalexandria.org/initiatives/t/welcoming-belonging/

In observance of Independence Day, ACT's office will be closed on July 4th and 5th.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Fourth of July celebration! 🎆

What Our Team is Reading.

We're currently diving into "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen" by David Brooks.

This New York Times bestseller offers a practical, heartfelt guide to truly understanding others and fostering deeper connections in all aspects of life.

As Bill Gates notes, it's "more than a guide to better conversations, it's a blueprint for a more connected and humane way of living." Brooks explores the essential skill of truly seeing others and making them feel valued and understood—a skill crucial for healthy relationships and a thriving society.

Have you picked up this book? Share your thoughts with us!

Today, we’re sharing the inspiring journey of Lori Morris , a founding cornerstone of ACT. From early challenges to groundbreaking achievements, Lori's vision and leadership helped transform how ALX nonprofits work together.

Read the full story of how Lori and her team united a community for greater good and created a legacy that lives on.
https://tinyurl.com/ACT20forALXLoriMorris

: The Alexandria Gazette featured our Community Celebration, marking 20 years of ACT for Alexandria!

From supporting initiatives like the Vola Lawson Breast Cancer Fund to raising $10 million in pandemic relief and nearly $3 million for local nonprofits through Spring2ACTion, we’re proud of our impact.

Thank you to our amazing community and leaders for your support. Here’s to many more years of making a difference together!

Read the full article: [Link in bio]
https://m.alexandriagazette.com/news/2024/jun/12/act-celebrates-20-years-of-giving/

Passion for youth is something that Najmah Ahmad has in abundance. In her role with ACT, Najmah leads the Youth Employment and CTE Working Group. Her work has been integral — beginning with her recognition that there’s a wide gap between the future we promise to young people and the way we prepare them for that future.

Read more about Najmah and how she’s championing career readiness for Alexandria’s youth:
https://www.actforalexandria.org/news/t/championing-career-readiness-najmah-ahmads-dedication-to-alexandrias-youth/

Our Welcoming and Belonging Grants are now open!

ACT for Alexandria is proud to join CFLeads and Welcoming America in fostering inclusive communities. Our goal is to help everyone thrive and feel they belong, from newcomers to long-time residents.

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we're offering $20,000 in grants for activities during Welcoming Week (September 13-22). The grant application is open now through July 18.

Apply here: https://www.actforalexandria.org/initiatives/t/welcoming-belonging/

How did COVID impact YOU?

Read ACT President & CEO Heather Peeler's article on Carrying COVID Lessons Forward.

As we implement a new strategic plan that sets forth a more ambitious and optimistic future, Heather finds herself looking back and forward at the same time wondering: how can the lessons from COVID help us create a future where we can realize the promise of the work we do to transform lives for the better?

(link in bio)
www.geofunders.org/about-us/perspectives/taking-covid-lessons-forward-257

In honor of World Refugee Day, we’re celebrating welcoming and offering $20,000 in grants!

Our community is a tapestry of cultures, with more than 25% of Alexandria's population being foreign-born. With 121 languages spoken in our public schools, we are a living example of unity in diversity.

ACT is dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging for everyone. As part of our mission, we’re excited to share an op-ed highlighting our efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive community. We are also proud to join initiatives like Welcoming Week, offering $20,000 in grants to support activities that bring us closer together!

Read the full article here: https://alextimes.com/2024/05/celebrating-welcoming-belong-ing-in-alx/
(Link in bio)

Happy Juneteenth! Please note that ACT’s office is closed today. We look forward to serving you when we reopen tomorrow.

Guess who was featured in The Washington Post Magazine for her accomplishments?

We are incredibly proud of ACT Youth Council representative Zahra Rahimi, an Alexandria City High School graduate and a shining star in our community.

Zahra, who fled Afghanistan with her family in 2019, has achieved so much in just five years. From starting a club for Afghan students and a community tutoring program to being honored at the White House and earning a full scholarship to William & Mary, her journey is a testament to the goals ACT sees for our youth.

Read more about her story and how she’s making a difference in our community and soon the world.

Click the link in our bio to read the full article!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/06/09/zahra-rahimi-alexandria-student-tutoring-program/

Celebrating 20 Years of ImpACT!

Two decades ago, a visionary group of leaders came together with a shared dream: to create a thriving, inclusive Alexandria. Founded with the goal of addressing local needs and empowering our community, ACT has grown into a cornerstone of support and positive change.

We recently had the honor of celebrating this incredible milestone with our founding members, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for two decades of success. Here’s to many more years of making a difference together! 💙

Thank you, Alexandria Stylebook, for the distinct honor of featuring our Chief Development Officer Tricia Ritchie! We appreciate that she serves Alexandria with style, flair, and passion!

Street Style: Meet Tricia Ritchie — Alexandria Stylebook I’m thrilled to introduce Tricia Ritchie, Chief Development Officer of ACT for Alexandria , Alexandria’s Community Foundation. She’s the one raising all the money needed to support ACT’s impactful work. As a member (and former co-chair) of the development committee I have had the pleasure of