Question for the Day

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Julia Cain

Courtesy of Elizabeth Hampton at the Huffington Post:

It’s a rare occasion when you find someone with little to say about education. Everyone, it seems, has a finger to point, two cents to toss in [...]

This is completely understandable. Not every American can speak knowledgeably on the political backdrop catapulting unrest in the Middle East. Even fewer (some politicians included) can deftly navigate the health care debate. But if you’re a citizen of this country, you have likely spent time in a school building and therefore, when it comes to education, you’ve darn well got something to say.

Amid the cacophony of opinions, there is one set of voices I think we need to hear more from: teachers.

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In the News …

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Julia Cain

Welcome to Wednesday, Greater Washington! Here comes our weekly news round-up …

To Fight Povery, Invest in Girls — In the upcoming issue of TIME, Nancy Gibbs makes a compelling point: “sometimes freedom and opportunity slip in through the back door, when a quieter subversion of the status quo unleashes change that is just as revolutionary. This is the tantalizing idea for activists concerned with poverty, with disease, with the rise of violent extremism: if you want to change the world, invest in girls.” The numbers are also quite noteworthy: “An extra year of primary school boosts girls’ eventual wages by 10% to 20%. An extra year of secondary school adds 15% to 25% … And the World Food Programme has found that when girls and women earn income, they reinvest 90% of it in their families.” (On a related note: several of our non-profits are already doing just this!) Continue reading →

7 Questions – Ruth Benker (Fairfax Pets on Wheels)

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Julia Cain

Good morning, Washington! Today on “7 Questions,” we are welcoming … Ruth Benker, Director of Communications at Fairfax Pets on Wheels! Providing therapeutic visits (and much needed-company) for nursing home patients and assisted living residents, friendly pets and trained volunteers visit 10 facilities with a total of 1,328 beds. They know never to underestimate the power of the human/animal bond!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

As the Director of Communications, I am responsible for getting the word out about our wonderful program. The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) filmed Fairfax Pets on Wheels as part of a documentary that they are doing to inspire volunteerism in South Korea. They want to show how Americans work together in order to cope with the nation’s current economic crisis and provide services in the community. Their film crew joined FPOW volunteers during a visit at one of our nursing homes in December, at one of our monthly orientations for new volunteers, and at a temperament test for potential new pet volunteers in January. We were honored to have been selected by KBS to be a part of their project.

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Being Visible

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Julia Cain

As reported on TBD.com and in the Silver Spring Patch:

The number of people living on the streets, in their cars and in shelters has jumped nearly 27 percent in Maryland, a national group that studies homelessness trends reports.

Maryland is one of 31 states that saw an increase in its homeless population between 2008 and 2009… Continue reading →

Around Town: February 5-6

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Julia Cain

Happy Friday, Greater Washington! We have a nice bundle of performance coming your way …

Saturday, February 5, Noon-10:30 PM

Takoma Park Middle School, Silver Spring, MD

Washington Revels celebrates nautical song and dance at the The Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) Midwinter Festival. A family-friendly extravaganza of music, dance, stories, workshops, and crafts, the Mini-Fest provides a wonderful opportunity to beat the winter blues. More info? Call (301) 587-3835.

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Question for the Day

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Julia Cain

Over at the Nonprofit Quarterly yesterday, editor Ruth McCambridge offers a note on “Jumping Off the Cliff of Social Change:”

“Over the years I have been involved in a number of movements for social change and each of them has taught me something about the patterns and rhythms of such efforts. But there was always a point at which I felt I was throwing myself off the cliff of the accepted into some cauldron of unknown forces and outcomes.”

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In The News …

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Julia Cain

Welcome to Wednesday, folks! We have a good bundle of local and non-profit news items coming your way …

CSG’s 2011 State of the Washington Region — Following the State of the Union, Greater Greater Washington has an excellent post this week from Coalition for Smarter Growth’s Laura DeSantis on the state of our community, focusing on “our top five opportunities and challenges.” She summarizes that “adopting a range of smart growth policies — from transit-oriented development to a range of housing options — will set us firmly on a course to become the most energy efficient, and environmentally and fiscally sustainable region in the nation.” I would only add that CSG’s call for more mixed-use corridors and broader housing options are particularly apt: “We must ensure every community throughout the region has a full range of affordable housing choices through mixed-use revitalization, housing trust funds, affordable housing preservation strategies, and inclusionary zoning policies.”

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7 Questions – Judith Dittman (Alternative House)

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Julia Cain

Welcome to February, Greater Washington!

And welcome to GoodWorks, Judith Dittman, Executive Director of Alternative House. Founded in 1972 as a shelter for runaway and homeless teens, Alternative House has evolved into an entire support system designed to keep kids off the streets — and is currently the only shelter for youth in Northern Virginia. Learn more about Judith and their incredible work right here:

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

We started a new program called the homeless youth initiative, which provides help with rent and support for high school students who are homeless without the support of a family. It’s been phenomenally successful, but we are scrambling for funding. In June of 2009, there were 100 homeless youth in Fairfax without the support of a parent or guardian who were trying to complete high school. Almost 10% ended up in adult homeless shelters and many dropped out of school. We started our Homeless Youth Initiative in September 2009. In June of 2010, there were more than 200 homeless youth without the support of a family who were still in high school. None went to an adult homeless shelter, only one dropped out of school, and 77% of graduating seniors went to college. I am so inspired by what these kids are doing, given the chance and a roof over their heads. It’s amazing!

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Mentoring Month

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Julia Cain

On this chilly Monday, January comes to a close — as does the first month of 2011, as does National Mentoring Month.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had not thought about this month’s moniker until I saw it pop up around the non-profit blogsphere: on Social Media & Social Justice, Allison Jones catalyzed a discussion on mentoring and age — and how youth need not be barrier to providing career advice and support. She aptly points out that, through mentoring, “You’re forced to think about your choices: Saying “just because” doesn’t fly when you are mentoring someone. They want to know why you made certain choices and the consequences (good and bad).” And writing from the Indianapolis non-profit community, Jessica Journey blogs a tribute to three of her mentors, highlighting leaders who have transitioned from one sphere to another: from for-profit to n0n-profit or from foundations to education.

Taking her theme a bit farther, mentors have a particular power when they can alert a young person to the simple breadth and versatility of life. Especially for middle and high school students, who they are now can feel like who they will be forever — so a mentor who not only has incited social change and justice, but who took a few turns or alternative routes to get there, can provide hope and motivation. According to the MENTOR: National Mentoring Partnership:

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Around Town: January 29-30

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Julia Cain

Good snowy morning, Washington!

That was an exciting bit of weather. But according to our friends at WUSA9, we are looking at a relatively warmer weekend. So do check out these great performances at our non-profits!

District of Columbia Arts Center

Last chance! A Cre@tion Story for Naomi, Bright Alchemy Theatre’s tale of a teenager’s search for direction and purpose in the realms of cyberspace, closes this weekend! So head to DCAC tonight or Saturday at 7:30 PM. Stay until 10:00 PM, you can catch Shawn Mikael’s Theater — a sketch comedy featuring DC’s established and newer comic talents.

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