Archive for the ‘Who We Help’ Category

ALIVE’s Child Development Center wins Four Stars!

Congratulations to ALIVE!’s Child Development Center for achieving a 4 star rating in Virginia’s Star Quality Initiative.  This initiative recognizes quality childcare programs committed to continuous improvement. Participation in this Initiative is voluntary and defines four standards of quality:

1) education, qualifications and training of staff;
2) interactions between staff and students, and peers;
3) structure or ratio of adults to children; and
4) environment and instruction, including transition practices between pre-K and Kindergarten.

Each program receives a “star” rating from one to five. One star means the program exceeds minimal licensing requirements and is on a quality improvement path.  Five stars means the the program exceeds requirements in all areas to an unusual degree.

To date, no program in Virginia has received five stars.  However, in Alexandria, ALIVE! Child Development Center received a 4-star rating on February 16, 2010!!

The good news about the Virginia Star Quality Initiative is the work does not stop with a rating.  After receiving a rating, participating programs receive a mentor who works with staff to improve the program.  This improvement piece is what sets this program apart from other accreditation and rating systems.  Programs that participate in this Initiative will receive ratings every two years, ensuring an ongoing commitment to improving the quality of early childhood experiences.

Clearly, our grant to ALIVE! that will underwrite materials and equipment to help implement the curriculum is at the ALIVE Child Development Center is money well-invested.

Do you have good news to share about a current or past Giving Circle Gift Recipient?  Click comment and let us know.

• ALIVE Child Development Center - $5,000 for implementation of Creative Curriculum in its preschool and daycare center for low-income families.
• Alexandria Tutoring Consortium – $2,200 to continue its successful tutoring program for 1st and 2nd grade children and to expand two new programs, Book Buddies and Reading Readiness, to reach additional students.
• Child and Family Network (CFNC) – $2,000 to purchase children’s books for its Family Literacy Program.
• New Neighbors Education Center – $800 for tuition and childcare to enable six Healthy Families clients to attend English instruction classes.

Each of these gifts directly supports our mission to prepare children in Alexandria to enter school ready to learn and have a successful future!

In January, the Gift Committee will resume its analysis of community needs and where a Giving Circle gift can have the most sustainable benefit. All Giving Circle members are welcome to be part of the Gift Committee and participate in this process.  Please contact Karen Snow or Peggy Stypula if you would like to be part of the Gift Committee.

On November 18, 2009, Susan Kennedy, Lorelei Emma, and I presented our playgroup concept to the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s convention in Washington, D.C.

Attendees from all over the country learned about this unique parent facilitator playgroup model where parents are trained and paid a small stipend to lead weekly playgroups.  The key to the success of this model is, of course, finding great parent facilitators, but also having a staff person who oversees all the playgroups and can assist the parents in planning and providing necessary supplies.

The Giving Circle and the Alexandria Community Trust collaborate with The Center for Alexandria’s Children in providing the funds for the parent leaders and for the staff person who oversees the three playgroups currently offered through this collaboration.  This effort is possible only through the generous gifts of Giving Circle members.

Interested in volunteering or bringing your young children to the playgroups?  Please come to any of the following locations or contact Susan Kennedy at the Center for Alexandria’s Children.

Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Jefferson-Houston Elementary School
1501 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Center for Alexandria’s Children
1900 N. Beauregard St 2nd floor
Alexandria, VA 22311

Friday at 10:00 a.m.  St. Rita’s Parish Church (conducted in Spanish)
Corner of Russell and Glebe Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22305

Our families have been hit especially hard in these tough economic times and would be grateful to receive donations of new or gently used goods.  Items in particular need now are new or gently used:

· winter coats (adults and children 0-5 years)
· clothing (maternity and children 0-5 years)
· towels and bedding (sheets, blankets, comforters and pillows)
· port-a-cribs and regular cribs
· strollers

Please keep us in mind throughout the year as donations are always needed and are welcome at any time.

In-Kind donation forms will be provided for you to complete after which we will send you an acknowledgment of your tax-deductible contribution.

Drop-off details:
Northern Virginia Family Service
Healthy Families Alexandria
5249 Duke Street, Suite 308
Alexandria, VA  22304

Open Monday – Friday from 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
For more information, contact Nanci Pedulla at 703-212-1702.

Thank you for your help and generosity!

Did you know that The Giving Circle supports three developmental playgroups throughout the city of Alexandria? Parents trained through the Giving Circle and The Center for Alexandria’s Children facilitate the playgroups and receive a stipend for the work that they do. The playgroups are growing and so is our need for volunteers!

What do volunteers at playgroup do? Play! We get to play with the children, follow the lead of the facilitator to set up activities, snack, story time, and, of course, help clean up. We are there to assist the leader, help provide resource information for the parents, and facilitate play with the children. The parent facilitators really need and appreciate the extra hands helping with the activities, plus it is fun and the time commitment is not large.

The Giving Circle and the Center for Alexandria’s Children support three playgroups at the following locations and times:

* Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:30 Jefferson-Houston Elementary School
1501 Cameron St.

* Thursdays 10:00 – 11:30 The Center for Alexandria’s Children
1900 N. Beauregard St. 2nd floor
This playgroup is large so feel free to volunteer with a friend.

* Fridays 10:00 – 11:30 St. Rita’s Parish Center (in Spanish!)
3825 Russell Rd.

Do you have 1½ hours a month to spare? If so, please contact Susan Kennedy, Family Strengthening Coordinator at the CAC, 703-746-6018 to arrange your playdate. C’mon, it’s fun!

The Center for Alexandria’s Children is sponsoring its second annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 11:00 – 3:00 at John Adams Elementary School, 5651 Rayburn Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311.  There will be tons of fun activities for the children, good food and informational displays for families.

The Giving Circle of Alexandria is actively involved in the planning of the event as well as in providing volunteers to help the event go as smoothly as possible. Last year there were over 500 attendees, so we need your help! There are two ways to help with this event:

• Recycle empty toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, margarine and yogurt containers, frozen food trays, etc. by giving them to the Center for Alexandria’s Children. The Giving Circle will be sponsoring an ongoing “playgroup” experience with the help of some of our current facilitators and volunteers so families can see what it is like and we need supplies for the children’s activities.  Please bring your recyclable items to the Center for Alexandria’s Children (1900 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA.)  They will make great spyglasses and toys for water play.  If you are unable to deliver them to the CAC, please email or call Susan Kennedy at 703-838-4381 ext. 494 to arrange for a pickup.
• Volunteer at Family Fun Day. If you can volunteer for even just one hour, either with the playgroup or any of the myriad of other jobs that range from working the moon bounce, face painting, directing families, sharing information, etc. please contact Susan Kennedy.

We look forward to seeing many of you and your families at the Family Fun Day.