Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Culmore gets a period pantry

Women and girls in disadvantaged areas will have access to free menstrual hygiene products thanks to an initiative by the Junior League of Northern Virginia. The group recently launched a “period pantry” at the Culmore Family Resource Center in Bailey’s Crossroads and two other locations, in Springfield and Sterling. The Junior League says the period … Continued

Britepaths seeks donations for students

Britepaths is asking the community to help provide 2,500 students with new backpacks and school supplies. The backpacks will be distributed to students with identified needs in the Justice and Fairfax high school pyramids, including Glen Forest Elementary School, Bailey’s Upper Elementary, and Justice High School. Donations can be made to Britepaths online by Aug. … Continued

The Wedgewood Community Center offers a fun place for kids at Annandale apartments

Kids who’ve been attending the afterschool program at the Wedgewood Community Center in Annandale, were treated to an end-of-the-school-year celebration on June 21. The event was hosted by FACETS, the nonprofit organization that operates the community center at the Wedgewood Apartments. FACETS handed out certificates and toys. Great American Restaurants donated free lunches, and Cakes … Continued

Justice scholarship fund aids 84 graduates

Eighty-four Justice High School students who graduated last week received a total of $353,000 in college scholarship money from the Justice High School Scholarship Fund (JHSSF) and its partners. The JHSSF provides needs-based scholarships to Justice High School graduates who demonstrate a commitment to learning and becoming contributing members of their communities. The JHSSF awarded … Continued

Second Story provides much-needed assistance to Bailey’s Crossroads residents

Residents of Culmore and Bailey’s Crossroads have lots of new ways to connect with county and nonprofit resources, thanks to the Opportunity Neighborhoods – Crossroads Area initiative operated by Second Story. On Thursday, March 23, the first day of Ramadan, Second Story is hosting a community gathering, 3:30-4:30 p.m., for Afghan refugees at Skyline Park … Continued

Help those in need enjoy Thanksgiving

FACETS, a nonprofit that aids lower-income people, is seeking donations to help provide Thanksgiving meals to those in need. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, “thousands of our neighbors have suffered devastating physical, financial, and emotional impacts,” FACETS says. “For many of us, the effects of the pandemic are finally subsiding. However, this crisis … Continued

ON-Annandale to host Neighborhood Safety Day

The community is invited to Neighborhood Safety Day, a free event hosted by Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale, on Saturday, Sept. 10, It’s at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The local art group called Café will lead children in a project to repaint and beautify a cardboard house. Related story: ‘Opportunity Neighborhoods’ formed … Continued

New restorative justice program launched

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced a new program April 6 to provide restorative justice to certain individuals charged with crimes. The Deferral and Dismissal Pilot Program, called Taking Root, is a partnership between Descano’s office and the Opportunities Alternatives and Resources (OAR) organization. “The focus of Taking Root will be to address a … Continued

Here’s how to help Ukrainian refugees

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission has organized a coat and blanket drive for Ukrainian refugees. More than 3 million people have fled Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion. More than 2 million have crossed the border into Poland. Drop-off boxes for donations have been set up at 41 locations in Northern Virginia, including … Continued

Hundreds of children make holiday crafts at ON-Annandale event

Kids decorate ceramic bowls with decoupage paper and glitter. More than 300 children and families made gifts for their families and friends Dec. 4 at the Fairmont Gardens apartments hosted by the Opportunity Neighborhoods-Annandale program. The event was organized by FACETS, a nonprofit that serves families and individuals affected by poverty, hunger, and homelessness.