Grant will benefit Annandale Safe Youth Project

The Giving Circle of Hope, a Reston-based charity, has selected the Alternative House as one of its 2010 grant recipients. Alternative House will use its $5,000 grant to support the Annandale Safe Youth Project, which provides an after-school program to disadvantaged fourth and fifth-graders—along with homework help, community service opportunities, counseling, food, and enrichment activities—at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, on Ravensworth Road in Annandale.

“With cuts in some of our other funding, we were wondering how we would keep our Annandale Safe Youth Project serving all the children who need our help,” said Alternative House Executive Director Judith Dittman. “This grant will go a long way towards continuing making sure disadvantaged children have a safe place to go after school and the support they need to succeed.”

Alternative House provides shelter, counseling, and other support aimed at keeping children and youth safe and helping them make positive decisions, achieve educational success, and overcome personal crises.

You can benefit Alternative House while also having fun by coming to the Hearts of Giving Reston Circle family event at the Reston Farmers Market (10800 Baron Cameron Ave.) Dec. 5, 5-7 p.m. Activities include a moon bounce, cake walk, craft corner, caroling, and visit with Santa. Tickets are $10, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Alternative House.