Arlington Singles Line Up for Charity Date Night

Some proceeds will benefit Doorways for Women and Families.

Volunteers Comb Streets, Woods for Annual Count of Arlington's Homeless

Snapshot of area homelessness has decreased over the past three years.

A team of about 30 volunteers combed the streets and woods of Arlington on Wednesday to survey the county's homeless population. It's a census of sorts, conducted annually by the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, or A-SPAN, and other agencies that serve the homeless. The Point-in-Time Count, as it is called, provides a snapshot of the area's homeless population on a single day. "For us, it's like a thermometer," said Anita Friedman, Arlington County's economic independence division chief. The 2012 Point-in-Time Count showed 451 homeless people in Arlington County — a 14 percent decrease over the past three years. The volunteers visited Metro stations, malls, bridges and wooded areas, targeting hotspots of homeless activity, …

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Arlington Gives Back

Domestic Violence Group Seeks Donations for Safe House Renovations

Doorways for Women and Families in Arlington wants to renovate its 11-bed facility.

Arlington-based Doorways for Women and Families is seeking donations to help renovate its 11-bed domestic violence safe house. “The safe house is our facility for people who are in immediate danger,” said Heather O’Malley, development director at the organization. “We are pretty much always at full occupancy.”  The nonprofit helps people in the community who are homeless and/or victims of domestic violence. The group runs two shelters, the safe house and a 21-bed facility, O’Malley said. The safe house, which from the outside appears to be a single-family home and is in an undisclosed location in Arlington, was built in 1957 and was converted into a safe house in the 1980s. “We’ve converted it through many band-aid fixes throughout the …

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Jan-Michael Sacharko

10:42 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

You can find a snapshot of homelessness in the area with this document: http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/pub-documents/ol5dXlY20120710133934.pdf   more ›

Registration Open for Arlington Turkey Trot 5K

Thanksgiving morning race expected to draw 3,000 runners.

Registration is now open for the seventh annual Turkey Trot 5K Race hosted by the Christ Church of Arlington. The fun run/walk is expected to draw 3,000 people and goes through the Lyon Park and Ashton Heights neighborhoods at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving day, according to the church’s website. Organizers say the race fills up soon, so potential runners are encouraged to register early. The race starts off at the corner of Pershing Drive and North Highland Street, the website states. It supports these local charities: the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH), Doorways for Women and Families, and the Arlington Food Assistance Center. The race has raised more than $100,000 for the charities during the past five years. Register for …

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Nonprofits, Community Groups Make Case for Tax Dollars

Arlington County Board holds public hearing on proposed $1.03 billion budget.

The 44-year-old homeless man who was found dead in Virginia Square this week was a client of the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network. “He grew up here, he went to our schools and he died on our streets,” said Kathy Sibert, A-SPAN’s executive director. About 25 percent of A-SPAN’s annual budget, including emergency winter shelter operations, comes from county tax coffers. The organization is asking for $50,000 more for a full-time caseworker for the 100 Homes campaign. So far, 15 people have been placed in housing as part of that program. Eighty-five remain. “I lost a friend this week. Behind a Dumpster. I talked to him every day,” said the Rev. Richard E. Cobb, pastor of Central United Methodist Church of Arlington. “I lost a …

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Spotlight: Doorways for Women and Families

Striving to end domestic violence and family homelessness in Northern Virginia

Every day this week, Patch is profiling a local nonprofit agency. If there's a nonprofit that you think your neighbors need to know about, email Doug Tallman or Lauren Sausser. Mission: To envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing. We see a future without homelessness or domestic violence. And it’s why we offer safe shelter and housing, life-changing support services, and community advocacy. Contact Information: Phone: (703) 504-9400; Fax: (703) 522-4338; Address: P.O. Box 100185 Arlington, Va., 22210; Website: www.doorwaysva.org Financials: The organization programs are grounded in evidence-based models that yield optimal outcomes in areas of child welfare, family preservation, family …

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Thousands Expected for Clarendon Day

Following a morning run, the festivities go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The heart of Arlington will come alive Saturday for the 14th annual Clarendon Day – a street festival with music, food, arts and crafts plus family-friendly entertainment and morning runs for children and adults. “I think it’ll be a nice day,” said Matt Hussmann, executive director of the Clarendon Alliance. “The weather is supposed to be nice. It’s also fun just to come out and see all of your Clarendon neighbors. People bump into each other out on the street, and it’s nice just to sit down and chat, drink a beer and enjoy the music.” He added: “What’s not to like? It’s a great street festival.” About 25 general exhibitors will line the streets around the Clarendon Metro, plus about that many artists selling a bevy of arts and crafts, …

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