May 2024 ECNV Newsletter
Older Americans Month
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. We will explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combating isolation, loneliness, and other issues.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the Take the Moment campaign. We encourage you to join us in fostering open dialogues, cultivating empathy and understanding. This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.
Disability and Mental Health
Connecting with others supports mental health and this is especially important for persons with disabilities. There are many support groups out there, but where can you find them? ECNV can help!
ECNV Employee Spotlight: Salifu "Sal" Kamara
We want to shine a light on the amazing individuals who make ECNV a special place to work. Today, let's get to know Salifu "Sal" Kamara.
How long have you worked at ECNV? One year eight months
Who is the one person you admire the most and why? My mom but she is late now. Why? Because she was so faithful and loving to carry me for 9 months in her belly without aborting my pregnancy living under severe poverty and polygamous home. Unfortunately, she died at the height of the war in my country, it’s now a post-war country, and I have not been able to return to my village to see her grave where she was buried and just to kiss the grave and show her that my love for her will forever continue to be alive. This includes all my eight siblings from my mom’s side whom I lost. Seeing their graves will absolutely give me peace someday!
Tell me something you are passionate about. I am passionate about...
ECNV Travel Training is Expanding!
ECNV in partnership with the Washington Area Metro Transportation Authority (WMATA) is proud to announce that no-cost Individualized Travel Training for seniors and people with disabilities is now offered across the entirety of the WMATA service area, including Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and the Maryland Counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s. To sign up for travel training please contact ECNV at 703-525-3268 or e-mail at info@ecnv.org. You can also contact Andrew Shaw by email at andrews@ecnv.org.
ECNV Benefits Enrollment Counseling
ECNV's programs are expanding and now include Benefits Enrollment Counseling. This program’s goal is to help Medicare beneficiaries enroll in at least one of five “core benefits”, including:
Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy – LIS)
Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)
MedicaidSNAP and/or LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
If you need assistance with any of these, please call us at 703-525-3268 or e-mail at info@ecnv.org.
Spring2Action Thank you!
We are still in awe of the generosity shown to ECNV during Spring2ACTion. On April 24, 2024 our organization took part in our local Day of Giving to connect with our community of supporters. Because of donors like you, we were able to raise funds to further our mission to empower people with disabilities to live independently. Each gift made during Spring2ACTion will play a critical role in allowing us to serve our community and create a larger impact. We look forward to engaging with you throughout the year and offering ways for you to stay involved with our cause.
Voter Registration and Legislative Updates
ECNV is a State-designated voter registration agency that can register Virginians to vote. If you or someone you know would like to register, please contact pansyw@ecnv.org for assistance. To vote in Virginia, you must:
Be a resident of Virginia (a person who has come to Virginia temporarily and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for voting purposes)
Be a U. S. Citizen
Be 18 years old (any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election)
Not be registered and plan to vote in another state
Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law
If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have been restored
For more information about the Virginia Department of Elections, please visit:
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register
For updates and information on the 2024 VA General Assembly Outcome please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdapTghnIXA
Virginia State Primary
Virginia is an “open primary” state. This means you can choose the political party’s ballot you wish to vote for. This decision does not register you with that party, and it is a private decision. If you have any questions about Virginia’s primary election process, please contact your local election officials.
The June Primary is for the US Senate and the House of Representatives.
Early voting begins in May for this Primary cycle! Below are important dates to remember:
First day of in-person early voting at your local registrar's office: Friday, May 3, 2024.
Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration: May 28, 2024 (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot).
Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you: June 7, 2024. Your request must be received by your local voter registration office by 5:00 p.m.
Voter registration offices open for early voting: Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The last day of in-person early voting at your local voter registration office: Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
See who is on your ballot by viewing the candidate lists.
Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal.
ECNV Youth Programs and Support
Read about our programs and supports 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: May 2024 ››
Check Out ECNV's Cool Swag Available 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.
COVID-19 Test Kits
Do you require a COVID test kit? ECNV is a COVID test kit supplier for individuals and organizations. For inquiries, please reach out us at info@ecnv.org
ECNV Upcoming Calendar
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Around Town
Vaccines for All!
During the month of April ECNV has continued with its community vaccination campaign and distribution of 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 them for free COVID-19 home tests. In addition to these activities, ECNV also participated in other events related to our mission.
ECNV is part of USAging’s Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC) network, that distributes funding to organizations across the aging and disability networks to support an array of vaccination education and promotion activities, including community vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations, transportation to vaccination sites, and outreach and education for older adults and people with disabilities. The ADVC is funded through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
ECNV focuses on providing access to the uninsured, under served communities under the Bridge Access Program that provides vaccines at no cost to adults without health insurance.
Shirlington Employment and Education Center Graduation Ceremony
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, ECNV was invited by partner agency Shirlington Employment and Education Center in their graduation ceremony for a group of Latinas (os) entrepreneurs who Esuccessfully finished the Latinx in Business program. Our gift to them was distributing free COVID-19 home tests to the more than 40 graduates and their families.
ECNV Partners with Neighborhood Health!
On Tuesday, April 9, (and throughout the month) 2024, ECNV partnered with Neighborhood Health to co-host several community events mainly focusing on food security and health resources. ECNV distributed COVID home tests at these events. This was at their Alexandria Alive! event.
United Methodist Church Annandale Vaccine Clinic
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, ECNV hosted a clinic at a United Methodist Church Annandale event. There was also food distribution.
Word of Life Hope Expo Vaccine Clinic
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, the Word of Life Church family invited ECNV to Hope Expo. Our presence and support made a significant difference in their efforts to support the community and families in need. ECNV provided valuable resources, vaccines and distributed COVID-19 home tests.
Fairfax County Public Schools Summit
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, ECNV participated in the Fairfax County Public Schools Summit that brought together various departments within FCPS. This year, they wanted to expand their focus by providing educational and socio emotional resources for all families, with a special emphasis on special education resources through an online component. The summit provided an excellent opportunity for community organizations to share insights and resources.
Singh Sabha Gurdwara Temple Vaccine Clinic
On Sunday, April 21, 2024, ECNV was invited to participate at the Singh Sabha Gurdwara Temple health fair. We were among others agencies that all did amazing work and made this event successful. The leadership from Singh Sabha Gurdwara and the medical group were grateful to ECNV for providing vaccines and sharing resources and information.
Flash Forward Postsecondary Options Fair
On Friday, April 26, 2024, Fairfax County Public Schools hosted their Flash Forward Postsecondary Options event. ECNV shared resources with the parents attending the event. Our table was one of the most visited! Special kudos for Maura Schmidt and ECNV staff!
