February 2025 E-Newsletter
Black History Month at ECNV: Celebrating Diversity, Resilience, and Progress
Discover Key African American Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement:
Explore History Nearby:
Join the Movement: How You Can Support ECNV Through Our Campaigns:
Save the Date: ECNV will participate in 2025 Give Choose Campaign
Give Choose is a 24-hour day of giving organized by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties to benefit local charities serving our community. The goal is to inspire our community to come together to give generously to charities that make our community the best place to grow up and grow old.
When: Early giving begins March 11, and the 24-hour Day of Giving is March 25, 2025!
Why ECNV? By Supporting ECNV, you are empowering people with disabilities to live independently, access meaningful opportunities, and break through systemic barriers. Your gift helps us provide life-changing services like job readiness, peer mentorship, and advocacy for a more inclusive community.
Where: ECNV Give Choose page
Mark Your Calendar: ECNV is Participating in 2025 Spring2ACTion!
Spring2ACTion is a 24-hour online event that provides a simple way to connect donors to the charitable causes they care about most and encourages them to take action. This virtual fundraising effort, presented by ACT for Alexandria, with the help of generous sponsors, offers local nonprofits the chance to raise thousands of dollars to ensure that Alexandria is a strong, vibrant community for all.
When: Early giving begins March 26, 2025 through Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Day of Giving is April 9, 2025!
Why ECNV? Each gift made during this campaign will allow us to further our mission at ECNV. Your donation of any amount will help with Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Mentorship, and our durable medical equipment program.
Where: ECNV Spring2ACTion page
Having a Hard Time Paying Your Heating Bill?
EnergyShare is a crisis program that helps pay energy bills for any type of heating and cooling source (wood, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, electric) for those who qualify. EnergyShare is not income based so any customer in crisis is eligible to apply.
In addition, ECNV and other Centers for Independent Living can help people with disabilities who receive SSI or SSDI benefits qualify for an additional $500 benefit once a calendar year through a voucher program. You can email us at info@ecnv.org and ask for help applying for the energy credit for people with disabilities. There are similar assistance programs for military veterans and seniors ages 60 and over.
Grant Updates:
Bienvenidos Todos Webinar Series
Save the Date: February 13, 2025 for the next Bienvenidos webinar!
Bienvenidos Todos will host webinar presentations about disability resources and services especially for Latinos with disabilities, their families, caregivers, advocates, and those who serve Latinos. Monthly webinars will cover disability topics especially as they pertain to Latinos and their different residency statuses. Webinars are available in English and Spanish.
Upcoming Workshops and Classes!
Shape Your Future: Apply Now for the RAMP 2024-2025 Cohort!
Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) - This is a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program designed to help youth and young adults develop the skills necessary to further their education and/or secure employment. We are still accepting referrals to our 9-month, 2024-2025 program cohort. If an organization or group is interested in ECNV providing a separate, 16-week program for their cohort, please contact Kevina Brown at kbrown@ecnv.org. All referrals must come through DARS.
Share Your Passion: Inspire the Next Generation and Partner with RAMP
RAMP is always seeking partnerships, mentors, and industries to help participants develop workplace readiness skills and explore career opportunities within Northern Virginia. On January 14, 2025, ECNV's RAMP Coordinator, Kevina Brown, met with Long Meadows Farm to start to create exciting opportunities for students to learn about farming and agriculture, fostering hands-on experiences and career exploration in this vital industry.
If you're passionate about sharing about your career, presenting to students, or hosting a tour day at your workplace, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to Kevina Brown at kbrown@ecnv.org.
Money Matters Registration Open for April 2025
Money Matters 101 is a five-part Financial Skills training to help individuals understand and manage their money. We are currently accepting registrations for our April class: Wednesdays from 4-5pm from Apr 2 – 30. Eligibility is open to FIS Waiver and DARS referrals as well as anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about money. Visit our Money Matters program page to learn more about the program. Registration deadline is Mar 20, 2025.
Money Matters 101 Registration ››
ECNV Youth Programs and Support
Read about our programs and support aimed to empower youth with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives, pursue their aspirations, and actively participate in their communities.
ECNV's I Am Self-Advocacy Program: February 2025 ››
Sweater Weather! Check Out ECNV's Hoodies and more on Zazzle
Support ECNV by purchasing and wearing some of our unique clothes and accessories with the ECNV logo. There are lots of choices and five percent of the proceeds go back to ECNV to continue the awesome and meaningful work we all are doing for disability advocacy and justice in the northern Virginia area.
ECNV Upcoming Calendar
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Around Town
Vaccines for All!
In the first month of 2025, ECNV continued with its community vaccination campaign and distribution of free COVID-19 home tests in Northern Virginia, thus fulfilling the mission of caring for diverse communities, guaranteeing access to vaccines, and being able to access free COVID-19 home tests. In addition to these activities, ECNV also participated in other events related to the implementation of the Bienvenidos Todos Project and RACE project.
ECNV continues with its free vaccination program for people from multicultural communities! We will be providing flu vaccines throughout the fall at different events and health fairs.
Second Story Health and Wellness Fair
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, ECNV partnered with Second Story to co-host a health and wellness fair. We had a great opportunity to serve and provide vaccines to the Latino Community residing in the Culmore area.
Herndon Community Center Open House
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, ECNV attended the Herndon Community Center Open House. This event provided an exciting opportunity to showcase organizations that are making a positive impact in our community. With free admission for attendees, it was a fantastic way to connect with local residents, share disability awareness programs and family support services, and build meaningful relationships.
