Women Giving Back Event
On Friday, October 6, ECNV staff, Outreach Coordinator/ Peer Mentor, Tracee Garner and Director of Multicultural Families, Rosalia Fajardo attended Women Giving Back’s Referral Partner Open House and Community Resource Fair.
Collage: Outreach Coordinator/ Peer Mentor, Tracee Garner and Director of Multicultural Families, Rosalia Fajardo posing together in front of a table with a purple table cloth, and further right, a line of women with green bags picking up information related to ECNV’s services; Rosalia Fajardo giving a blue bag to an African-American woman with a black shirt.
ECNV’s TGIF Social Group
On October 6, 2023, staff members, Ruchika and Carlos lead the TGIF social group in Delhi Dhaba with 13 of ECNV consumers participating. We encourage other adults interested in attending to join the next group on 11/03/23 at Dos Amigos at 535 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22314 at 5:00 pm.
TGIF social group, group photo.
ECNV Honored
On Wednesday, October 4, ECNV Executive Director Dominique Dunford-Lack, Deputy Executive Director Tim Fuchs and Heather Sailes attended the Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired Awards. ECNV was awarded at the event because Heather came to ECNV as an intern through DBVI and then was hired permanently. Heather won an award and ECNV won an award celebrating Ability in the Workplace.
Collage: Rick Mitchell, Commissioner of DBVI (Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired in front of a podium; Executive Director Dominique Dunford-Lack, Deputy Executive Director Tim Fuchs and Heather Sailes, pictured with awards.
Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment for 2024 Period
On Friday, November 3, ECNV staff, Director of Multicultural Families, Rosalia Fajardo, had the great honor of joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra along ECNV Board member Dr. Sergio Rimola, Legal Aid Justice Center, Enroll Virginia and Protect Our Care on marking the beginning of 2024 Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period, making the coverage more affordable. Rosalia thanked Secretary Becerra for making COVID-19 vaccines available for all!
Collage: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra posing with Rosalia Fajardo; a tall gentleman wearing glasses, Rosalia, Dr. Sergio Rimola, and a blonde woman.
COVID-19 Vaccine Partnership with Walgreens
On Tuesday, October 31, 2023 ECNV started a new partnership with Walgreens thanks to the Bridge Access Program, which is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. This partnership enables ECNV to provide free vaccines to the community of people with all disabilities who do not have medical insurance.
Image: Walgreens red logo
Bailey’s Community Center Vaccine Clinic
On Friday, October 27, 2023, ECNV hosted a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Bailey's Community Center in Falls Church, VA.
Collage: An African-American man wearing a white t-shirt and pants, sitting down, a cane is also visible; an African-American senior woman also receiving a vaccine; Rosalia pictured with a dwarf person.
Wingler House Apartments Vaccine Clinic
On Friday, October 27, 2023, ECNV also hosted a vaccine clinic for seniors at Wingler House Apartments. Fourteen residents were vaccinated.
Collage: a senior wearing a grayish t-shirt receiving a vaccination; a male senior citizen also getting a vaccination; an over all view of the clinic with various staff wearing green scrubs.
Latino American Festival
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, ECNV staff, Director of Multicultural Families, Rosalia Fajardo, Independent Living Specialist / Travel Trainer Margarita Baquero and Communications and Publications Specialist Elaine Shaw attended the Latino American Festival in Arlington. ECNV distributed COVID-19 home tests to fair attendees, as well as gave information about other ECNV programs such as travel training and workshops.
Collage: Two women two in traditional Mexican dresses, Rosalia is in the center; Margarita Baquero ECNV travel trainer specialist in pink jacket with an African American woman in grey sweater and little girl in pink blouse; a Muslim family a mother wearing pink scarf light blue blouse and black pants and two little boys.
Rosalia Featured on Telemundo
During Hispanic Heritage Month Telemundo highlighted the work of ECNV's Rosalía Fajardo, who has dedicated her fight to advocate for people with disabilities.
Image: Rosalia Fajardo.
A Wellness Wednesday Fair
On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, ECNV staff attended Wellness Wednesday Fair, a day dedicated to the seniors of Alexandria City. It was a day of celebration and health care for them. They enjoyed breakfast and lunch as well as vaccination services, blindness prevention, legal information, and of course they received COVID-19 home test kits from ECNV staff.
Collage: Three women, Fabiola Moran, partner from VIDA Senior Center, ECNV staff Rosalia Fajardo and Margarita Baquero; Rosalia Fajardo from ECNV, an Ethiopian woman dressed in her traditional dress and another Ethiopian woman wearing a pink blouse and khaki pants; A man wearing a red shirt, Rosalia Fajardo and an African American man; A group of African American seniors visiting our table and receiving COVID-19 home test kits.
Community Day at Stony Brook Apartments - Route 1 Alexandria Corridor
On Saturday, September 9, 2023, ECNV sponsored a Community Day celebration at Stony Brook Apartment, located in the Route 1 corridor of Alexandria. It was a celebration full of resources, free COVID-19 home tests were distributed, plenty of food, and games for residents!(Left), a Middle Eastern girl and her mother received a free COVID-19 home test kit and goodies; (Right), a Ethiopian woman receiving a free COVID-19 home test kit from ECNV staff Margarita Baquero.
Collage: A Middle Eastern girl and her mother received a free COVID-19 home test kit and goodies; a Ethiopian woman receiving a free COVID-19 home test kit from ECNV staff Margarita Baquero.
BIPOC Disability Justice Summit: Our Presence is Our Power Brunch
On September 6th, 2023, staff members, Cherie, Emily and Kevina attended BIPOC Disability Justice Summit: Our Presence is Our Power Brunch hosted by The NAMED Advocates. We had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share stories, and further our collective mission towards inclusion and equity.
(Left to Right), ECNV staff Cherie Takemoto, Emily Kudron and Kevina Brown posting together for a photo at the summit.
ECNV Meets with Mark Madrid
On Thursday, August 31, 2023, ECNV discussed the importance of support for entrepreneurs and business owners with SBA Assistant Administrator, Mark Madrid and his great team.
(Left to Right), SBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Director, Larry G. Webb; ECNV Executive Director, Dominique Dunford-Lack; SBA Assistant Administrator, Mark Madrid; Director of Multicultural Families, Rosalia Fajardo; and Director of Disability Justice, Cherie Takemoto.
Other Events
On September 30, 2023, ECNV attended the Hispanic Heritage Month at Culmore. The event was a blast! ECNV staff distributed COVID-19 home test kits to families and event attendees.
Then, on October 3, 2023 ECNV attended the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration to honor LBGTQ Latine Lobbyists, Advocates and Allies, a colorful celebration of our diversity!
Collage (Top Row, Left to Right) Culmore residents dressed in traditional costumes; a Hispanic mother carrying her child on her back; people marching in the street.
Collage (Bottom Row, Left to Right) Rosalia Fajardo from ECNV in black blouse with Luis A. Quiñones (he/him), from Unidos US; Jose Gaona from Latinxhistoryproject and a group of attendees; right Rosalia with Art Motta Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy for National Hispanic Medical Association.
Hispanic Heritage Events Around Town
On September 19-21 2023, ECNV Rosalia Fajardo Director of Multicultural Families was invited by Televisa/UNIVISON event sponsor, to attend the largest gatherings of Latino leaders in the country - the CHCI 2023 Leadership Conference and 46th Annual Awards Gala taking place in Washington D.C. during Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) on September 19-21, 2023.This year's theme was Our Moment in History. The CHCI HHM events are a celebration of the invaluable contributions Latinos have made and continue to make to the fabric of the nation in all fields. The Leadership Conference is a call to action to continue to build on that progress, ECNV is part of that history!
Collage: (Top Row, L-R), Latina attendees wearing business dress at the conference on stage, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary of Homeland Security, Isabel Casillas SBA Director and US Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra; Rosalia Fajardo; US Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.Right Rosalia Fajardo.
Collage: (Bottom Row, L-R), Rosalia Fajardo in black pants and animal print blouse; US Secretary of Health, and Human Services Xavier Becerra speaking at a podium; an African-American male; Marvin Figueora , Rosalia Fajardo, an African-American male.
ECNV Recognizes Dr. Sergio Rimola During Hispanic Heritage Month
Originally from Guatemala, Sergio migrated to the United States in 1985 during the civil war unrest in the Central American Country. He graduated from Medical School at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala and completed a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology before migrating to the United States. Once in the US he learned English and passed the requirements for foreign medical graduates, enrolled and finished a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sisters and Charity Hospital affiliated with SUNY at Buffalo.
Image: Dr. Sergio Rimola
2023 ECNV Vaccination Events
With funding from USAging’s Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative and the Administration for Community Living (ACL), ECNV is organizing community vaccination events especially for seniors and people with disabilities.
Highlights Of Hispanics in the Disability Field who have been Making a Huge Impact In Our Community
ECNV highlights Hispanics with a Disability, who are making an impact in the community.
(Left to Right) Marlene Sallo and Diana Varela.
Telemundo News 6pm Highlights ECNV’s Work
On August 30, 2023, Telemundo 6:00 news covered a Community Foundation of Northern Virginia report on the increase in families struggling to meet their basic needs. Reporter Darío López-Capera explained why this increase is happening and highlighted ECNV’s Rosalia Fajardo and the ACT for Alexandria-funded to provide emergency assistance to people with disabilities and other health conditions.
(Left) Rosalia appearing on Telemundo; (Right), Rosalia Fajardo and Cherie Takemoto working side-by-side at a conference table, computer laptops are in front of them.
The LULAC’s Convention & Expo at the Walter Reed Rec Center
On August 12, 2023, ECNV staff, Rosalia Fajardo, travel trainer Hunter Cardwell and volunteer David Aguayo attended The LULAC’s Convention & Expo at the Walter Reed Recreation Center.
(Left) A general view of the attendees at convention; (Right) ECNV intern Maya Flores talking with a consumer about ECNV services; (Bottom) Rosalia Fajardo with DCNV Board Member Sergio Rimola receiving The LULAC Women's Hall of Fame Award at the Virginia Convention.