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Ned and Lydia Stone: Building Community Through Elvis, Love, and English Learning

12/30/2019

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Ned and Lydia Stone, long-time ESL instructors and volunteers at United Community
Connie Ruiz looks up from her desk and beams, as another friendly face enters the Sacramento Neighborhood Center. A long-time program assistant, Connie always welcomes visitors with a gentle smile. But tonight is a Thursday night. Tonight her dear friends are coming to visit. 

One by one, the students arrive, rubbing their hands against the cold December air. An older gentleman from Bangladesh. A charming woman from Argentina. A smiling man from Korea. An elderly woman from Ethiopia. They wait patiently in the lobby, talking amongst themselves about what they’ve learned since their last meeting two days ago.

Finally the door swings open and in walk Ned and Lydia Stone. The beloved couple have taught English classes at United Community for more than 15 years at three different United Community programs, and have helped dozens of students from as many countries and socio-economic backgrounds to adapt to life in the United States. The Stones’ love and dedication to their students is not lost to anyone.

“Anytime there is something I don’t like, I think immediately “how would Lydia and Ned react?,” Connie shares. Connie has known the Stones since they first started classes at the Sacramento Center. “They are such wonderful, loving people.”


Lydia and Ned began their dynamic duo in teaching several decades ago; though Lydia had been teaching for some time before that. Lydia is a professional translator who taught ESL classes as a volunteer assistant for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), while her husband spent 25 years making aircraft surveillance systems at the Naval Research Lab. A Yale and Harvard graduate, Ned’s primary passions were physics and working with a local ecology community group called the Friends of Dyke Marsh.
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Then one day, Lydia asked Ned to substitute for her while she went to a conference for translators. Ned enjoyed his substitute teaching experience so much that he didn’t want to leave. When Lydia came back from her conference, she found that her husband had taken over her class, forcing her to start teaching a different group. After a few years, though, the Stones decided to move on from FCPS’s ESL program and eventually found themselves teaching at United Community.

The Stones have fond memories of teaching amongst dozens of coats in the space they shared with the old Back Porch thrift store, as well as lessons taught at the Progreso Center and at the main office on Fordson Road. But the couple says their favorite classes have been at the Sacramento Neighborhood Center.

“We love teaching at the Sacramento Center because we have the flexibility to teach how we’d like,” Lydia explained. “We print and prepare our own materials, we don’t charge our students, and we don’t require them to come every week.”

The result is a sort of “learning community” that attracts immigrants from a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Walking into Lydia’s intermediate class, one can hear Chang, the smiling man from Korea chatting with the charming woman from Argentina.

“How do you say “Happy New Year” in Korean?” she asks.

He answers, grinning as the Argentinian and a woman across the table from Mexico stumble through a mess of unfamiliar syllables. Chang then asks the women how to say this phrase in Spanish, as he stumbles through his own pronunciation of “Feliz Año Nuevo,” before class begins.
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Ned Stone with his beginners ESL class
“The orthodoxy of most ESL classes is that you never speak the student’s native language – you always speak English” Ned explains. “We don’t like that rule! I enjoy speaking in the student’s native languages.”

Fortunately for Ned, most of the students in tonight’s beginner’s class speak Spanish – meaning, he only has two languages to keep track of, as he explains the difference between using “have” and “have got”. Tonight’s lesson gets a little more in-depth than most, as Ned answers a few questions that Mansoor, a Bangladeshi gentleman, poses regarding the Constitution.

The Stones make a concerted effort to incorporate cultural references into their language teaching. For example, one of Lydia’s favorite lessons came after her class read a book about Martin Luther King Jr.. To help students visualize the book better, the Stones’ rented the Civil Rights movie “Selma”, and spent an evening watching the film (with Spanish subtitles).

“Many of our students had little concept of what the local African-American community went through during the Segregation era,” Lydia explains. “Watching the students’ reactions during that film, you could tell that many of them not only understood the words that were said, but they also had a deeper appreciation for the history behind them.”

Tonight, there is no film. But there is a tradition that all of their students have come to enjoy.

“My belief is that if you get the language in your head and in your mouth, then you will hear yourself saying it,” Ned explains. “So every night, we end the class by singing a song together!”

Usually students are treated to a ballad by Pete Seeger. Tonight, however, they sing-along with a recording from the King of Rock and Roll, himself – Elvis Presley. Lydia hands out lyrics to “O Little Town of Bethlehem” printed in English and Spanish, and everyone ends the evening by singing along – first with Elvis in English, and then acapella in Spanish. 

Words can scarcely describe the legacy that the Stones’ have left on United Community, its clients, and the Route One community, at large. In a few weeks, the couple are moving to a retirement community in Sandy Spring, Maryland. As for the Stones, they will tell you they’re just grateful for the opportunity.

“Teaching this class has been wonderful for our marriage,” Ned explains. “It’s become one of our favorite things to do together. We’re really going to miss our friends, but we’re excited to make new ones – as we plan to keep teaching after we move.”
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Giving Thanks for the Gift of Community

11/27/2019

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Creekside Community Center Coordinator Rasidata (Rasie) Njai tried to keep a low-profile as she walked into the Knights of Columbus building on Tuesday, November 19th. But a pair of 3-year old toddlers had other plans.
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“Ms. Rasie!!!” they screamed; running at full-tilt to give her a big bear-hug, while families and volunteers watched with smiles on their faces. Grinning from ear-to-ear, Rasi returned the hug and somehow managed to make it over to her seat, where she was greeted by parents and close to fifty other familiar faces from the Creekside and Sacramento Community Centers. 
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The event was a special Thanksgiving Dinner, hosted by the First A.M.E Church of Alexandria and the Knights of Columbus of Mt. Vernon. Dozens of families gathered to enjoy good food, music, and good company. The First A.M.E Church also helped provide transportation to the event, allowing many families to attend who otherwise might have stayed home.

“This season is about Thanksgiving,” Pastor Abraham Smith said. “Tonight, we are here to give some thanks and happiness to all of you!”

As volunteers from the First A.M.E. Church served a delicious meal, United Community staff and Neighborhood Ambassadors enjoyed visiting with families from the neighborhoods they serve.

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“I’m so glad I came tonight,” Marcia St. John-Cunning, the Community School Coordinator at  Mt. Vernon Woods ES shared. “It was great to see so many people coming together, as one community to share a special evening.”
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“This is what United Community is all about,” Neighborhood Ambassador and United Community Board Member Lisa Jones said. “It’s about bringing people together from all different neighborhoods and walks of life and making them feel valued – helping them to feel that they’re a part of something bigger.”
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"Thank you for making this dream come true for my girls!"

But the giving didn’t stop there! On Saturday, the First A.M.E. Church, Knights of Columbus at Mt. Vernon, Creekside Community Center, Sacramento Neighborhood Center, Gum Springs Community Center,  and the Walt Whitman Middle and Mt. Vernon Woods Elementary Community Schools all joined together to prepare and distribute Thanksgiving dinners for families in need.

“It is so great to see the community come together to do this for families in need,” one volunteer at the Gum Springs Community Center noted. “This will mean so much for families in our community!”
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The dinners were provided and prepared at Gum Springs Community Center, the First A.M.E. Church, and the Knights of Columbus at Mt. Vernon. Many of these meals were then delivered to the Community Centers and Community Schools to help needy families in the community.
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“My daughters were asking if we were  going to have a turkey,” one Mt. Vernon Woods ES mother said. “I couldn’t figure out how to tell them we wouldn’t be able to afford it. I can’t thank you enough for making this dream come true for my girls!”

This Holiday Season, show your support for families in need by making a holiday gift  to United Community! Like the families in this story, every individual seeking assistance from United Community has their own unique challenges. Your contribution provides them the reassurance that no matter what those challenges are -- they don’t have to face them alone! Click here to learn more about how your donations change lives!
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Empowering Girls on the Run at United Community

11/26/2019

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If you’ve walked by the Community Centers or Walt Whitman Middle School on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, you’ve probably noticed a lot more activity than normal.

“Girls on the Run, so much fun! – Girls on the Run, so much fun! – GIRLS ON THE RUN, SO MUCH FUN!”

The chanting comes from dozens of young girls, sprinting around the neighborhoods of Creekside and Sacramento and around the grounds of Walt Whitman Middle School.

The girls come from a wide range of ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Some are as young as 9-years old, while others are in middle-school. Many of them did not know each other very well before. But all of them are thoroughly enjoying themselves, now!

These are just a few of United Community’s clients participating in “Girls on the Run” -- a nationwide program that inspires girls to recognize their inner strength through physical activity, dynamic discussions, and team-building.

Building Relationships through Coaching at Sacramento

“Come on, Girls! You can do it,” Coach Cat calls.

Cat is one of a few coaches working with girls at the Sacramento Neighborhood Center. An Ohio-born Navy service-member, Cat wanted to find a way to get involved in her new community after she was stationed in the area. The new Girls on the Run program at the Sacramento Center was the perfect avenue.
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“I remember doing Girls on the Run as a little kid, growing up in Ohio,” Cat recalls. “It’s been great to work with these girls and not only encourage them to be active, but also help them learn valuable life lessons.”

The 10-week program focuses on activities and exercises that help girls learn and develop “the five C’s – Confidence, Character, Care, Connections, Physical, Social and Emotional Competence, and Contributions to the Community. 
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Community Coordinators Michael Marmol and Chanel Moore lead some of the Sacramento Neighborhood Kids in a mini-fitness program.
“Our girls absolutely love the Girls on the Run program and their coaches,” Sacramento Center Coordinator Chanel Moore added. “We had to start our own separate mini-fitness program, so the other kids wouldn’t feel left out.”
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“It’s been such a special experience to watch these girls grow,” Cat added. “After the program is done, I want to keep volunteering at the center so I can help them continue their progress.”

Learning to Be Yourself in Middle School

Walt Whitman student Sarah did not expect to enjoy Girls on the Run when she first started running. Sarah had recently left her mother to move to the United States from Africa with her father and brother. Without her mother, life at home was hard for Sarah, which carried over into her new life as a student at Walt Whitman Middle School. Sarah rarely smiled, hated school, and suffered a number of meltdowns with staff. That is, until a mentor convinced her to sign up for the new Girls on the Run program.

“Sarah has blossomed since starting the Girls on the Run program,” her mentor shared. “By her third session, she was smiling, participating and accepting hugs from everyone!”​
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Sarah’s not the only one who’s made considerable progress. During an activity, another girl with behavior issues shared her simple daily victories for that week.

“I almost hit a girl today, but I didn’t,” she shares, smiling.
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“Girls on the Run gives girls an opportunity to be themselves,” explained Delia Montecinos, Community Schools Coordinator at Walt Whitman. “It gives them a safe space where they can articulate their feelings, build each other up, and work through any challenges they face.”

"Finishing Strong" at Creekside

While Girls on the Run is a new program for the Sacramento Center and Walt Whitman MS, the kids at Creekside Community Center are seasoned veterans of the program. This year was Creekside’s fifth year participating in Girls on the Run.
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“We are so grateful for this partnership with Girls on the Run,” Creekside Community Center Manager Rasidata (Rasie) Njai shares. “The coaches are specially trained to engage with the girls to help them build confidence and friendship; it really adds a whole new depth to our program.”

Unlike the Sacramento and Whitman programs, a lot of these girls have been running together for several seasons.

“It’s a lot of fun,” one girl shares. “I’m not a fast runner, but I like running with my friends.”
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That’s an ideal that 4-year returning Coach Ariel says is the whole focus of the Creekside Girls on the Run program.
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“Our mantra is finish strong,” Ariel says. “It doesn’t matter how fast they run or how long it takes; as long as they finish strong.”
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This past weekend girls from all three programs participated in a 5K at the Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA to celebrate their progress. It was the first time that program participants from Creekside, Sacramento, and Walt Whitman got to run together. 
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“I loved running with the other girls,” one runner shares. “I made a lot of great friends! I’ll definitely do this again next year!”
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October Adventures at the Early Learning Center

11/13/2019

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The month of October was a fun and busy month for the United Community Early Learning Center! Here’s a quick look at all the adventures that our youngest United Community members have been up to recently!
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One of the first adventures our young community members is probably the most important for the rest of their child development – free health screening.

“A health screening can really be a pivotal moment in the life of young child,” Early Learning Center Director, Torria Baker explained. “It allows parents and kids to identify any hearing, vision, or dental issues and pave a pathway to success for that child.”
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​As part of the health screening process, health professionals came to visit with the Pre K students at the Early Learning Center during the first week of October where they helped students learn about basic dental hygiene and provided free, dental, vision and hearing screenings for each child.
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“I’m really glad that the Early Learning Center provides these screenings,” one parent shared. “To me, it shows just how much they really care about my son.”
Fire Fighters at the Early Learning Center
In honor of Fire Prevention Month, the Penn Daw Fire Station came to pay the Early Learning Students a visit in mid-October. Amidst the sirens, fire suits, and shiny, red engines, the students learned about the importance of fire prevention and safety – both in their homes and at school.
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“Our goal is to help these kids be prepared no matter the circumstances,” one firefighter shared. “Whether that’s during a fire drill at school or in their own homes.”

Students also received a personalized tour of the fire truck, before the firefighters drove off, sirens blasting.
Fun at Cox Farms
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​A few weeks ago, the Early Learning Center students went on an extra-special field trip to Cox Farms! For many of our youngest community members, this was their first ever field trip – and they had a blast! 
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They went on a hayride, raced down slides, and picked apples and pumpkins to take home to their families.

But perhaps the best part of the day, was being able to spend time with some of their parents, who came along for the trip.
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“I’m glad I could be here,” one parent said. “I love to spend time and make memories with my daughter; so being here was just awesome!”

“We love having parental support on our field trips,” a teacher added. “It makes the whole trip that much more enjoyable!”

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Looking for affordable childcare for your family? The Early Learning Center has a plenty of open slots that are available today!

Contact torria.baker@unitedcommunity.org for more information! 
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Mentoring Program at Walt Whitman MS Thrives Under Community Schools Partnership

10/4/2019

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Changing students lives, one relationship at a time.
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That’s the idea that brought a group of thirty kids and teachers to the auditorium on a Thursday afternoon at Walt Whitman Middle School. It was part of the kick-off of the school’s MentorWorks program; a Fairfax County Public Schools initiative designed to connect young students with pathways to success.
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Mentors and Mentees gather in Walt Whitman's auditorium for the MentorWorks Kick-Off.
“The purpose of our MentorWorks program is to provide our kids with ready access to a trusted adult; someone who can be their friend,” explains Delia Montecinos, the Community Schools Coordinator who facilitates Whitman’s program. “A lot of our kids here at Walt Whitman don’t have that because their parents are working. Just knowing that they have someone they can trust within the community can mean so much.”

The program, which debuted at Whitman late last school year as part of the Community School’s partnership with United Community and United Way of the National Capital Area, pairs each student with an adult mentor. Student and Mentor are then instructed to meet, one-on-one, at least once a week for 30 minutes through the end of the school year. Meetings can occur over lunch, after-school, or however the mentor and student decide is best for them.

“Take a moment and think about your own K-12 experience,” Assistant Principal Matthew Johnson began, addressing the crowd of teachers and students. “Who was that one person in your life who made a difference? At the end of the day, the mentors in this room, right now, can be that one person for these kids.”
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Mentor Danni Torres enjoys a game of Uno with one of her mentees.
“Middle-school is that age where kids need a little extra support,” one teacher explained afterwards. “For many of these kids, this is their toughest year --- when they are figuring out who they are. I’m excited to be a mentor so I can help give them the guidance they need to be better prepared for High-school, College, and beyond.”

Studies show that mentoring programs have a positive impact on academic achievement, as well as students social, behavioral, and mental well-being.

“Being a mentor is such a rewarding experience, ” Montecinos adds. “Students who form these one-on-one relationships with teachers – as friends --, grow and succeed in ways that they never might have accomplished on their own.”
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Montecinos with one of the Opportunity Neighborhood Ambassadors at the MentorWorks Kick-off.
Orginally, students had to be invited in order to participate in Walt Whitman’s MentorWorks program; but the program has been so popular with mentees that many other students have asked to join in. Walt Whitman’s MentorWorks program currently has 25 students enrolled….with another 25 students on a waiting list, due to a shortage of mentors. (That’s up from just 33 total students enrolled in the program last Spring).
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Mentors and Mentees enjoy a fun ice-breaker games to get to know each other
“We would love to have more mentors involved in our program; especially from outside of our school faculty,” Montecinos says. “We will probably need them, as the school year progresses and more students ask to join the program.” 

If you would like to be involved in Walt Whitman Middle Schools MentorWorks program, please contact Delia Montecinos at delia.montecinos@unitedcommunity.org or 571-249-7069 .
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The Early Learning Center Celebrates Literacy Month

9/26/2019

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At the Early Learning Center (ELC), one of the first skills that the youngest members of our community begin to master is learning how to share. Whether it’s sharing a toy car, a puzzle, or a computer – sharing can sometimes take a while for some of our Pre-K students to master. But when it comes to sharing a love of reading, our ELC students are already off to a great start.
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Earlier this month, students and teachers were asked to bring in some of their favorite books to share with their classmates. The activity was a part of a month-long ELC initiative to celebrate International Literacy Day.
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“Our teachers read to us every day to help us learn,” one Pre-K student shared.

“Promoting literacy awareness is an important aspect of any educational institution,” ELC Director Torria Baker explained. “For our Pre-K students, our goal is for their fundamental love for reading to be transformed during these critical early learning years.”

But reading isn’t just something students learn in the classroom. Parents need to be involved too! Studies show that parents who read to their kids can dramatically improve their child’s vocabulary, reading skills, and personal development. So naturally, the ELC staff invited a few of them to come help out.
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“I like reading with my daddy,” one student said of his experience.
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“Reading books is important at this age because it allows for students to take an active role in their own personal development, one of the ELC teachers added. “As students turn the pages, and use the pictures to describe what they see, they start not only learn more, but they also get more excited about reading.”
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Realtors Do More Than Sell Homes; They Build Community!

9/20/2019

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The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) has been a long-time supporter of United Community for many years. Established in 1921, NVAR is one of the largest real estate associations in the country, with more than 13,000 members. On Friday, eleven of those members came to Fordson Rd to give back to their community, as part of the NVAR Cares Initiative.
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“NVAR Cares is about making an impact in the community and give back,” NVAR member Mary Ann Bernstein explained. “That’s exactly what United Community does, every day. So we’re excited to help out and be a part of this”.

Led by NVAR President, Christine Richardson, the NVAR Cares Volunteers sorted and prepared food bundles for dozens of hungry families. The “Commodities Bagging” service project happens every third Friday of each month, thanks to a partnership with the USDA and Capital Area Food Bank.
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The NVAR members made quick work of the project. Within two hours, the group filled more than four shopping carts with food.

“United Community has been one of our benefactors for many, many years,” Richardson said. “From collecting donations to participating in service projects – supporting United Community is something we deeply care about.”
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NVAR Cares is hosting a special “Party for a Purpose” event at the Carlyle Club on November 6th. All proceeds will be donated to local non-profits, including United Community. For more information, visit their website.
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SPARK Program Makes Summer Learning Fun

7/22/2019

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Keeping Young Minds Active
Summer break vacation is a time for relaxed schedules and a break from classroom learning. But did you know that some of the best learning occurs outside the classroom? Learning doesn't have to fall by the wayside when school is out.

Sports and recreational activities, creative STEAM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), and field trip adventures stimulate imaginations and inspire youth for academic and life success. Experts agree that children who read during summer gain skills, while those who do not often "slide back." Students in low-income families experience an average summer learning loss in reading achievement of more than two months.

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Picture"We got to make our own space crafts to travel in. I made a unicorn rocket, to match my shirt!"
​This summer more than 60 youth are benefiting from the structured learning environment at UCM's two community centers, thanks to our generous community partners and volunteers. Our SPARK program -- Success through Purpose, Achievement, Respect & Knowledge -- is designed to "spark" learning opportunities and interest in new subjects to keep young minds active. Each week has a different theme, with topics including space, journalism, and music. 
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​Especially popular are the spelling and math relay competitions, art activities, and many special field trips including National Geographic Society, Wolf Trap Theater in the Woods, Udvar Nazy Air and Space Museum, Grist Mill Park, and UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor. All their happy smiles say it all!
  • View our SPARK photo album >
  • ​View field trip videos >​​

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"My favorite trip was the space museum," said a rising 5th grade girl. "Because they had so many things there that I had never seen before. It was super cool!" The water park trips have been the most popular overall, because going to a pool is a special treat. A rising 6th grader excitedly shared that her favorite was the Queens of Egypt exhibit at National Geographic Society: "I got to learn about the ancient Egyptians. I'm half Egyptian and enjoyed learning about my heritage." 

We are especially grateful to the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club which continues to be a generous supporter of our youth, including a $4,500 gift to underwrite expenses for field trips, as well as additional funding for Back to School supplies. ​

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"The educational activities at the community center help my family and my neighbors to raise healthy and smart kids," one mother of three tells us. "We are so grateful for the center and staff at United Community. They make learning fun for everyone."  ​
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* * * * * 
We invite you to be part of the success of our children and youth. SPARK summer activities continue through August 16, weekdays from 10am - 6pm. We continue to need and welcome volunteers to work with our youth and assist on field trips. If interested, email our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@ucmagency.org.

We have many opportunities to volunteer all year round, including to tutor or mentor youth. To learn how you can volunteer or help, visit our Volunteer Opportunities webpage. ​Together, we stabilize, empower, and engage kids and families to inspire their success! 


(United Community E-news, July 2019)
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Celebrating Summer at Sacramento Community Day

6/19/2019

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Community Members Have a Blast with Astronaut Charles Bolden

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Several hundred community residents, young and old, enjoyed a celebration of summer at the Sacramento Neighborhood Center's annual Community Day on Saturday, June 1. The warm weather contributed to the festive afternoon outdoors, including music and entertainment, games and sports, food, and community resource tables and exhibitors. Children had a chance to visit with Fairfax County Police Officers from Mount Vernon District, who had their cruisers open for special tours. Members of the Sheriff's Office provided free child ID cards.

Musical entertainment was provided by local artist Chris Barrett, who grew up in the area and graduated from Mount Vernon High School.

This year's special treat was guest Charles F. Bolden, Jr., former Space Shuttle Astronaut and retired NASA Administrator -- and Mount Vernon resident -- who spent the afternoon with the youth. He shared an inspiring presentation on his experiences entitled "Humanity's Journey of Exploration," including some personal photos he took on the Space Shuttle.

Other local officials who stopped by included Virgina State Delegate Paul Krizek with his family and Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck. We appreciate Steve Hunt of Fort Hunt Herald coming out to cover the event. Read the article and see more photos >

“We are grateful for Astronaut Bolden's time with us, and the partnership of so many groups that helped make this day of community a fun  celebration for our community,” said Angela McCoy, manager at Sacramento Neighborhood Center.
​  "We appreciate  the community supporting us and coming out, interacting, and enjoying a fun afternoon together. Special thanks to Aaron's for the water donation and continuing support, Mini Mart for the food and juice donations, and Officer Goodley and his team."

Thank you to all our community partners and supporters who made the day one to remember for our  families and children. 
The summer youth program continues at Sacramento Neighborhood Center through August 16, weekdays 10 am to 5 pm. Breakfast, lunch, and field trips are included. Activites this past week were learning about space and a special trip to the National Air and Space Museum in DC. For more information, email Angela at sacramentocenter@ucmagency.org.

(June 2019, United Community Enews)

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2019 United Community Scholarship Awardees

6/18/2019

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First Generation College Students From Local Area High Schools​

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We are pleased to announce the 2019 recipients of United Community's college scholarships. Thanks to generous donors, we provides two annual scholarship opportunities that focus on keeping vulnerable youth moving forward to self-reliance and life success.

“Post secondary education opportunities and our scholarships are part of our initiatives to end multigenerational poverty, helping to make bright futures a reality,” says Alison DeCourcey, UCM Executive Director. "We appreciate our partnership with Battelle and the generous bequest from the estate of Mrs. Lois Valencourt that make these scholarships possible.Their commitment to invest in access to opportunity is invaluable."

PictureRuth Hailemeskel (photo courtesy Mount Vernon Gazette)
2019 Battelle-United Community Scholarships
Funded by a grant from Battelle, these competitive college scholarships are designed to encourage economically-challenged Mount Vernon area high school seniors to pursue college studies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Scholarship candidates must demonstrate leadership, confidence in dealing with challenges, commitment to goals, and active participation in community service, extracurricular activities, or work.

​The 2019 Battelle-United Community Scholars are:

PictureJames Wrobeh
Ruth Fikru Hailemeskel graduated this spring from Mount Vernon High School and will attend William and Mary College to pursue premed studies. Her long term goal is to become a general surgeon. Ruth was elected as President of her high school graduating class. She is the first person in her family to attend college in the United States.​​ ​​​
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James Wrobeh graduated this spring from Bryant Alternative High School and will attend Virginia State University to pursue a degree in criminal justice. James started first grade at 13 years old, when he and his family arrived in the United States from Liberia. He will be the first in his family to attend college in the United States.​​​​​

PictureHibsit Demilie with Regina Schofield of Battelle
​​Hibsit Demilie will be starting her sophomore year at Hope College. She graduated from West Potomac High ​ School in 2018 and is pursuing a degree in nursing. She completed her first year of college with a 4.0 GPA. Hibist also volunteered serving breakfast every Saturday morning at a homeless shelter. This is her second year receiving a scholarship from Battlelle.​ ​

PictureMicco Daniels
2019 Valencourt Scholarships
Thanks to a generous bequest in 2014, the Lois Valencourt Scholarship Fund enables students who have graduated from high schools in the Mount Vernon area to pursue post-secondary training and career advancement after graduation. This can include vocational training or a college degree. ​

​The Valencourt Scholars for 2019 are:

​Micco Daniels graduated this spring from Mount Vernon High School, He will attend Case Western Reserve University to pursue a double major in computer science and music. He was recommended by his high school guidance counselor.

Ruth Fikru Hailemeskel also of Mount Vernon High was awarded a Valencourt Scholarship in addition to the Battelle award. 

James Wrobeh of Bryant Alternative High School was awarded a Valencourt Scholarship in addition to his Battelle Scholarship.​​​

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For the selection of this year's awards, two former Valencourt Scholarship awardees -- Fernando Acosta and Zulemy Loza -- participated as student judges to evaluate the 2019 recipients. They are both graduates of West Potomac High School. Fernando is starting his senior year at GMU with a major in civil engineering.  Zulemy is also entering her final year at GMU, with a major in criminology and social work.

Congratulations and best wishes to all our graduates on their accomplishments!


(June 2019, United Community Enews)

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