Tag: social services
Many challenges, few solutions offered at final Annandale Dialogue on Diversity
If the purpose of the Annandale Dialogue on Diversity was to open up lines of communication among an assortment of immigrants and people with deeper roots here, it accomplished its goals. But if the idea is to lay the groundwork for some sort of longer-lasting initiative aimed at cross-cultural understanding, we’ll have to wait and … Continued
Annandale resident gives half his money to charity
Semmler Prof. Richard Semmler teaches mathematics at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College and lives in a modest apartment in Annandale. Yet he’s given about $1.2 million to charity. Semmler hasn’t won the lottery and he doesn’t have a hidden source of wealth. He has been able to donate half his annual income to … Continued
Annandale agency helps seniors find jobs
Prothero If you’ve tried to find a job in this tough employment market, imagine how much harder it is for older people—who might have outdated skills and no idea how to look for a job on the Internet. A nonprofit organization based in Annandale (4201 John Marr Drive) offers a much-needed hand to help people … Continued
New support group forming for parents of deployed children
The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services—in conjunction with the Braddock District, Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, and Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore NOVA Region—is organizing a support group for parents who have children on active duty serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere overseas. The group’s first meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. … Continued
Winter is an especially hard time for Annandale’s day laborers
Trying to find work as a day laborer in Annandale is hard. The pay is low, the work is physically demanding, and it’s hard to find recourse when contractors don’t pay what they promised. It’s even more of a hardship in the winter, when people have to stand out in the cold and the jobs … Continued
After 161 cats taken from her home, Village Drive cat lady is adjusting to a lonelier life
Houdini and Eleanor Eleanor Kaufer is adjusting to a lonelier life after Fairfax County Animal Control shut down the cat rescue operation she and her former roommate, Paula Burns, ran out of her home at 7100 Village Drive, Annandale. Since the cat hoarding story surfaced Nov. 19, the total number of cats reported varied. Washington’s NBC … Continued
‘It just sort of crept up on us,’ says Annandale cat hoarder
“It just sort of crept up on us. It’s what we lived for,” says Annandale cat hoarder Eleanor Kaufer about the rescue operation she ran with roommate Paula Burns that eventually led to a house filled with about 180 cats. Fairfax County Animal Control removed the cats (including the one pictured here) from the house at … Continued
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 … Continued
American Legion post is key part of Annandale community
More than shops and neighborhoods, it’s the service organizations that bring people together for friendship and good works that truly make Annandale a truly special community. Take the Annandale American Legion post, for example. “We’re very much connected to the community,” says Marv Rodney, former post commander and chair of the Americanism and public relations committees … Continued
Fairfax County gearing up to protect the homeless this winter
With cold weather on the way, Fairfax County is making an effort to protect the homeless from hypothermia this winter, said Dean Klein, director of the county’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, at an online chat session this afternoon. In addition to the winter capacity available at the county’s year-round homeless shelters, there are … Continued
Flu shots available at several Annandale locations
Know anyone with the flu yet this fall? Get yourself a flu shot before it’s too late. In a recent online discussion, Dr. Peter Troell of the Fairfax County Health Department recommends everyone over six months old get the flu vaccine “as soon as possible, before influenza starts spreading through the community.” Fairfax County Health Clinics offer … Continued
Biggest hardship for Annandale’s day laborers: isolation from families
Like many of the men gathered around Annandale street corners waiting for people to give them a job, Humberto Contrera, is having a hard time making ends meet while struggling to survive in a sometimes hostile environment where he can’t speak the language. The slowdown in the real estate has had a devastating impact on … Continued
Kids ‘in crisis’ from entire region come to the Phillips School in Annandale
As students head back to school this week, about 180 children with special needs from all over the region will be heading to the Phillips School in Annandale. Phillips, at the intersection of Backlick and Braddock roads, serves children ages 6-22 with a range of conditions, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, developmental disabilities, cognitive disabilities, attention … Continued
Annandale Safe Youth Project: a haven for children
For children with family, behavior, or school issues, the Annandale Safe Youth Project offers a life line. When C. came to the Annandale Safe Youth Project five years ago, his mother had moved out of town, he was adjusting to life with his dad, and was struggling in school, says staff member Antonia Arias. “He … Continued
Volunteers needed for Annandale Neighborhood Food Progam
The Annandale Neighborhood Food Program needs more volunteers to help distribute food to the needy. The food program is open every Thursday evening at the Immanuel United Methodist Church, 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, near the H Mart. The program is not a church program, however; it is open to everyone in the community who needs … Continued