Back to School: Freedom to Travel the Metro
Are you tired of being tied to Metro Access where you have to make appointments and wait for your ride? Did you know that with a little orientation and training, you can make decisions about where you want to go and when you want to go by checking the schedule for the next bus or metro? ECNV’s Travel Training program for people with disabilities continues to grow!
An inside look at an empty metro car, newer model.
What’s New with RAMP?
Officially ending July 1st, the RAMP pilot year was full of success, lessons learned, and ended with a tight-knit cohort of excited mentees ready to take the next step in their career journeys whether it be continuing with their current employment, taking college classes, taking on an internship in their career of choice, finishing out high school, or looking further into their career interests.
The first picture shows 4 mentees and 2 parents waiting in the AWS Lobby. Three are standing while 2 are sitting in gray chairs. The second pictures shows 4 mentees standing and listening while the tour guide, Gerry, is speaking about one of the exhibits. The third picture shows a mentee sitting down in the center while Gerry is standing to his left and providing instruction at a Driving Exhibit. Another mentee is standing to the right with arms crossed and watching in the background.
Get Involved with ECNV
Have you thought about getting involved with ECNV? Here are a few ways you can participate.
ECNV logo.
ECNV Helps Afghan, Sudan Refugees Community
On July 27, 2023, ECNV cosponsored an Afghan, Sudan refugees community resource fair organized by Second Story organization, Food for Others and Fairfax County.
Rosalia Fajardo from ECNV distributing home COVID-19 home test to Afghan and Sudanese refugees.
White House Invitation
On July 20, 2023, Rosalia Fajardo was invited by the White House to celebrate Independence Day of Colombia and present a briefing about ECNV work with the multicultural communities in Northern Virginia.
Left, Rosalia Fajardo in black and blue dress in between American Flag and Colombia flag; Center, Ambassador of Colombia Gilberto Murillo, an African American man in blue dress, surrounded by White house officials and Colombian leaders.
ECNV staff attended USAging Conference in Salt Lake City, UT
On July 16-19, 2023, Pansy Walker, Senior Expansion and Outreach Specialist, Emily Kudron, Development and Communications Manager, and Rosalia Fajardo, Director of Multicultural Families, attended the USAging Conference. This is the country's largest gathering of local leaders in aging.
Top Row, Rosalia Fajardo Multicultural Families director at ECNV attended the USAging 49th Annual conference & trade Show July 15-18 2023; a man, Cumulus CEO in grey suit, center Rosalia Fajardo and cumulus staff member in dark blue suit; Bottom Row, a group of panelists left, two white women, center in back a white woman, Rosalia in the center and an African American woman in the right; (from left to right) Pansy Walker, Emily Kudron and Rosalia Fajardo stand in front of the 48th annual USAging banner.Image: Rosalia with Sara Maloney from USAging blue dress.
ECNV Celebrates Americans with Disabilities Act!
ECNV staff (Doris Ray, Ruchika Lalwani, Maya Flores and Marcie Goldstein and the Arlington County Board celebrate Disabilities Act Awareness Day at Bozman Government Center.
Doris Ray (center) holding the official proclamation for Disabilities Act Awareness Day. Maya in on her right, Ruchika is on the far right, and Marcie is behind her.
NACA Homeownership: Take the First Step Toward Home Ownership
CNV is partnering with NACA to provide a free homebuyer workshop.
Proclamation of Immigrant Heritage Month
ECNV Director of Multicultural Families, Rosalia Fajardo was recognized her leadership in the Latino community during Immigrant Heritage Month.
Right, Rosalia in black suit and Karol Escalante in grey pants suit.
Disability Justice Mindful Design Lab
Find out more about disability justice and ECNV's Disability Justice Mindful Design Lab - an 8-month incubator for social change solutions by and for people with disabilities who have experienced additional injustice, discrimination or exclusion because of race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender identity or sexual orientation. This initiative is funded by the Ford Foundation.
Agents of Change Pitch Day! A Celebration of Accomplishment and Visibility for Disability Justice Social Ventures
The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia invites you to
Agents of Change Pitch Day! A Celebration of Accomplishment and Visibility for Disability Justice Social Ventures
ECNV Announces New Volunteer Peer-Led Support Program
ECNV is excited to announce a new program in the coming months where so many of our consumers and their families who have benefited from our programs and services can begin to serve as leaders in helping others meet similar success.
ECNV updated, plain logo
Thriving Solo Workshop
ECNV is offering a new training series for people with disabilities who want to live on their own.
(Image) white female in wheelchair, wearing a white sweater and black dress with design at open oven door checking on food.
Fairfax County Health Department Multicultural Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting
On June 20, 2023, Rosalia Fajardo represented ECNV at the Fairfax County Health Department Strategic Plan to provide input on Health Equity in Action & Vibrant Community Relationships as Priority Areas for the next five years.
Left, Rosalia Fajardo and another collaborator at the meeting.
Health Expo at Word of Life Church
On June 24, 2023, ECNV was proud to distribute information and resources during the incredible day at the Hope Expo.
Participants at the Health Expo
Resource Fair for Families who Live in Sterling
On June 28, 2023, ECNV staff Rosalia Fajardo and peer intern Margarita Baquero participated in the Women Giving Back fair, which was organized by Loudoun Human Service Network.
Images: (Left to Right) Peer Intern Margarita Baquero and Multicultural Families Director Rosalia Fajardo at ECNV staffing ECNV table; Rosalia with partner Ana Maria Garcia from Northern Virginia Family Service; Rosalia with an elderly female Latina who received a COVID-19 test kit; two female Latina women with COVID-19 test kits; fair attendees receiving free clothes.
Community Forum Hosted at Anthem HealthKeepers
On June 15, 2023, ENCV outreach team Pansy Walker and Rosalia Fajardo attended a community forum hosted by Anthem HealthKeepers.
Left, a general view of the forum; (right) side Pansy Walker and Rosalia Fajardo with forum participants.
Alexandria City Community Cookout at Fairlington
On June 15, 2023, Alexandria City organized community cookouts to reach out to the diverse and multicultural communities that are part of the Alexandria City affordable housing complexes.
An African American woman receiving a COVID-19 home test kit; A Latina female receiving a COVID-19 home test kit
ECNV Provides Disability Training for CUE Bus Drivers
The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia was invited by Fairfax City CUE to provide a training on Disability Etiquette on Saturday June 3rd.
A collage of the panel of presenters from the CUE bus disability training event; CUE bus drivers and finally, a group photo of the panelists, Janeek Prince, Pete Scampavia, and ECNV’s Information and Referral Specialist Heather Sailes, and Andrew Shaw, who also attended.
Emprende Virginia Baking Class for Latina Mothers
On June 7, 2023, ECNV distributed COVID-19 free home test kits to Mexicana Emprende program (“Mexican Female Entrepreneurship Program”) recipients.
A group of Latina women in white baking uniforms and blue aprons receiving Covid-19 home test kits from ECNV.