Human Services
Arlington Emergency Needs-Homelessness Prevention Fund
Introducing a new way for you to help make a difference in the community!
To donate, visit the Arlington Community Foundation, select the Donate Now through Network for Good button, and designate your contribution to the Homelessness Prevention Fund. |
How the Emergency Needs – Homelessness Prevention Fund works
- We need your help! Monetary contributions to the Emergency Needs — Homelessness Prevention Fund are requested from the public, business community, civic and faith organizations — anyone interested in helping Arlington’s efforts to prevent homelessness and lend a hand to our most vulnerable residents.
- Money from the fund will reach those in need through non-profit organizations whose primary mission is to provide safety net services.
- The fund will help provide temporary, emergency assistance such as rent, food and services to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families benefiting from the Emergency Needs — Homelessness Prevention Fund must be receiving case management services from Arlington County or a non-profit in Arlington County.
- The fund is administered by the non-profit Arlington Community Foundation and contributions are tax deductible. Oversight for the Emergency Needs — Homelessness Prevention Fund will be provided by a specially selected advisory committee.
Economic downturn is placing unprecedented demands on County and non-profit safety net service partners
- On average, more than 1,000 families need supplemental food from the community’s food pantry each week. In comparison, from Oct-Dec 2007 the average was 740 a week.
- 1,224 families were served the week of Feb. 13.
- The line to get food often extends outside the building and around the block.
- In Jan. 2009, 1,207 people seeking jobs visited the County's Employment Center, compared to an average of 664 per month before the economic downturn
- There has been a 33 percent rise in the number of people seeking emergency assistance for rental payments, utility bills and medical services.
Fund made possible through donation by The Shooshan Company
- County Board Chair Barbara Favola and John Shooshan, founder of The Shooshan Company, are the driving forces behind this new resource that will strengthen the safety net protecting the most vulnerable members of the community in these trying economic times. They are the co-chairs of the Leadership Consortium for Arlington's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.
- By establishing the Emergency Needs — Homelessness Prevention Fund, they have provided a new way for Arlingtonians to help other Arlingtonians who have been hit hard by the economic crisis and are at risk of becoming homeless.
- County Board Chair Barbara Favola was inspired to create the fund as a way to connect those who have the means and the desire to help with non-profit organizations providing safety net services to Arlingtonians facing economic hardship.
- The Shooshan Company, an Arlington-based real estate development firm that has planned and developed over 2 million square feet of real estate in the Washington metropolitan area, has made a $50,000 opening donation to the fund.
- The firm’s founder, John G. Shooshan, has long been active in community affairs, lending his energy and expertise to a variety of local public and private organizations.
How to contribute
- Make your donation to the Emergency Needs – Homelessness Prevention Fund through the Arlington Community Foundation by mail, phone or online using a check or credit card.
- Online: Go to http://www.arlcf.org/ and select the Network for Good icon and designate your contribution to the Homelessness Prevention Fund.
- Mail: Make check payable to Arlington Community Foundation—Homelessness Prevention Fund and mail to:
Arlington Community Foundation--Homelessness Prevention Fund
2525 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington VA, 22201 - Phone: Call Arlington Community Foundation at 703-243-4785 (fax 703-243-4796)
The Arlington Community Foundation is an independent charitable organization that actively promotes, protects and improves the quality of life for those who live or work in Arlington. The Foundation provides philanthropic leadership and raises capital for grants and scholarships to address community needs now and in the future.
For more information
- Go to www.arlingtonva.us/dhs or http://www.arlcf.org/
- Contact Wanda Pierce, Executive Director, Arlington Community Foundation at wpierce@arlcf.org or 703-243-4785
- Contact Kurt Larrick, Communications Manager, Arlington County Department of Human Services at klarrick@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-1775
