Celebrating International Women's Day
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, Rosalia Fajardo Director and Disability Justice Partnerships participated in several International Women's Day celebrations events, with more than 125 Latina women attending. At Cornerstones Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center we shared our story, accomplishments, and challenges. ECNV provided COVID-19 home tests and bags. It was an inspirational morning to help forge a better, more inclusive world for women.
Collage: A group of Latinas women sharing stories; Rosalia Fajardo female in purple blouse and black pants behind the table filled with presents for the women attending “A night full of joy.”
Alexandria City Government Resource Fair
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, Alexandria City Government hosted another resource fair event. ECNV staff attended this fair promoting our programs and distributing COVID-19 home tests.
Collage: (Top), Rosalia Fajardo in black pants a black blouse and gold vest with a African American female in black police uniform holding an ECNV bag with COVID test; A blind consumer with his guide dog wearing tan sweater and blue jeans pants; (Bottom center), Margarita Baquero and Rosalia Fajardo posing together at the ECNV staffing the table.
Partnership with Second Story
During the month of March, ECNV partnered with Second Story and hosted several community events mainly focusing on food security and health resources. ECNV distributed COVID-19 home tests at these events.
Collage: An Ethiopian male wearing plaid skirt and black pants holding a covid home test; A female Latina woman holding a covid home test she is wearing white t shirt with a colorful logo; (bottom center), David Aguayo, a Hispanic male in a white and black T-shirt and Rosalia Fajardo in a pink blouse staffing the ECNV information table.
Himalayan Free Clinic
On Friday, March 1, 2024, ECNV co-hosted another Himalayan Free clinic. We provided vaccines to seniors with disabilities and the general population and distributed COVID-19 tests for more than seventy attendees.
Collage: A Nepalese male receiving the vaccine by Walgreens pharmacist on the right in white medical gown and black pants; a Nepalese male in a plaid jacket black pants and Rosalia Fajardo; (bottom center), Rosalia Fajardo female grey sweater and David Aguayo male in black and grey hoodie staffing ECNV table at the Himalayan Free clinic.
ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program: April 2024
The IASA (I Am Self-Advocacy) Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. Funded by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this program is offered to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas DARS offices.
[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle].
Yes, It’s Our Birthday! No Foolin’!
This coming April 1, 2024, ECNV will celebrate its 42 anniversary! As we celebrate, we reflect on the numerous lives we have touched and the milestones we have achieved together.
Happy 42nd Anniversary ECNV. Graphic also features gold and pink balloons, as well as a red and white red velvet birthday cake with candles.
ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program: March 2024
The IASA (I Am Self-Advocacy) Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. Funded by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this program is offered to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas DARS offices.
[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle].
Community Connection Night
On Wednesday, February 21, ECNV participated in Community Connection Night organized by Fairfax County Public Schools at Providence Elementary School, where more than 150 families attended. This event was full of resources for students and families that included information on after‑school programs, mental health and behavior support, and assistance with basic needs such as health insurance and food security.
Collage: Rosalia Fajardo is wearing a white and black sport outfit with a Latino Family; Rosalia with a group of firefighters who were picking up their COVID home test and ECNV goodies.
ECNV and Ed Futuro-Neighborhood Health Vaccine Clinic
On Saturday, February 17, 2024, ECNV delivered COVID-19 home test kits to Ed Futuro and Fairfax County partners for a Neighborhood Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
Collage: Rosalia Fajardo with Edu Futuro staff. Rosalia is wearing a black sports sweater and pants with a male in white t-shirt and two females wearing jeans and in Edu Futuro t-shirts; Rosalia Fajardo in dark blue jacket and black pants distributing covid home with Eduardo Mantilla director of Neighborhood clinic and in brown jacket and tan pants with a female in dark jacket and jeans.
ECNV Partners with Second Story
During the February month, ECNV partnered with Second Story, hosting several community events mainly focusing on food security and health resources. ECNV distributed COVID-19 home tests to the public.
Collage: A group of Latinos residents of OAKVIEW apts receiving COVID home tests; a Korean male holding a COVID home test; Rosalia Fajardo in dark blue jacket distributing COVID home tests.
Distributing COVID-19 Home Tests to Educators
ECNV wants to congratulate the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers and the Fairfax Education Association -- the FEU -- for their amazing 40,000-book giveaway at the Lorton Community Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024. We were invited to attend this amazing event to distribute COVID-19 home tests to the multicultural and diverse community of families who attended.
Collage: (Top), David Aguayo and Rosalia Fajardo posing with a family; a Muslim family attending the event; Two African American older females holding ECNV bags and wearing a black dress with dots and jacket and the other in a light brown jacket; (Bottom) a Chinese mother wearing a typical red Chinese new year outfit with her daughter; a Vietnamese mother with her daughters.
Strengthening Relations
On Friday, February 2, 2024, ECNV was invited to participate at a meeting for community leaders organized by the Embassy of Colombia. This meeting was intended to strengthen the relations with government agencies and non-profits to expand services for the Colombian diaspora residing in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Collage: A group of Colombian women and men posing for the official picture taken by the Embassy; an African Colombian, the General Consul of Colombia, in grey coat holding a ECNV bag, on right, Rosalia Fajardo.
Himalayan Vaccine Clinic
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, ECNV co-hosted a Himalayan Vaccine Clinic. We provided vaccines to seniors with disabilities and the general population and distributed COVID-19 home tests to attendees.
Collage: A group of Latinos residents of OAKVIEW apts receiving COVID home tests; a Korean male holding a COVID home test; Rosalia Fajardo in dark blue jacket distributing COVID home tests.
Fulfill A Need, Become A Caregiver
Informational Session for Job Seekers who would like to add this rewarding career option to gain skills .
What’s New with RAMP?
January was an exciting month for our program as students entered the world of career exploration during our dedicated Career Road Maps initiative. The month allowed students to connect with their mentors and the mentor coordinator, engaging in discussions and exploring diverse career paths. Students engaged in group activities, including Career Jeopardy and Career Colleges, and debated about money and why it matters in life and future goals.
Image: 5 mentees, their families, and Kevina Brown captured in a picture at the ECNV office where students and parents complete a career/futuristic collage geared toward perspective career interest.
ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program: February 2024
The IASA (I Am Self-Advocacy) Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 14-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. Funded by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this program is offered to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas DARS offices.
[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle].
United for Wellness, Mental Health and Wellness Conference and Resource Fair
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, ECNV staff attended the United for Wellness, Mental Health and Wellness Conference and Resource Fair at Riverside High School. This event was hosted by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) and was attended by more than 45 governmental agencies, and nonprofits. United for Wellness highlights LCPS was focused on all areas of student health and well being. Conference presenters included mental health professionals, fitness, and wellness coaches, and LCPS educators.
Collage: Margarita Baquero in dark green sweater, travel trainer specialist at ECNV explaining to caucasian female wearing dark sweater about the program; Margarita Baquero in dark green sweater, travel trainer specialist at ECNV explaining to Indian Female wearing pink t-shirt and black pants about the program; (Bottom) Rosalia Fajardo in Navy Blue blouse and Margarita Baquero in dark green sweater, sitting at the ECNV outreach table.
The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
On Friday, January 26, 2024, Rosalia Fajardo, Disability Justice Partnerships was invited to attend The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics meeting. Commissioners and attendees met with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials to discuss ways their agencies are advancing economic opportunity for the Latino community including those with disabilities.
Collage: Rosalia Fajardo wearing a navy blue blouse and black pants, posing in front of a White House standing blue banner in a book study; a Hispanic male wearing a khaki suit holding a magazine, a Hispanic female wearing black pants and also pictured, Rosalia Fajardo; (Bottom): A group photo of the Commissioners, (center), Isabel Guzman, SBA Director.