December 2023 ECNV Newsletter
Wishing you a Happy and Joyous Holiday Season!
ECNV wants to extend our heartfelt wishes to each and every member of our wonderful community. We are grateful for the shared memories that have made this year special! May your days be filled with laughter, love, and the magic of the season.
Happy Holidays from all of us at ECNV!
December 3, 2023: We celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Rosalia Fajardo Director of Multicultural Families at ECNV pays a personal tribute to Judith Heumann, a hero, an icon for the multicultural communities around the world and who was her close friend and confidant for twenty years. I want to remember Judith who touched my life in many ways and was an internationally recognized disability rights activist, widely regarded as “the mother” of the Disability Rights Movement, with the special message delivered by her on December 3, 2021.
“I want to thank you all of you for the hard work that you have been involved with over number of years fighting for the rights of disabled people, we need to continue to be relentless and fearless and fight for the rights of every individual disabled person regardless their disability, their age or the country they live in thank you and keep fighting!”
We keep fighting Amiga!!
What’s Going on with RAMP?
Students and mentees have been actively engaging with mentors and the mentor coordinator to establish meaningful connections. They have successfully completed career assessments, laying the foundation for their career exploration journey. Participants are gaining valuable insights into their communities by identifying local resources and assets. This experience also involves understanding the unique characteristics of different communities and how they impact diverse populations.
On November 17th, students and families participated in a memorable RAMP milestone activity at the Museum of Failure. This engaging experience allowed them to explore and understand the concept of failure in various contexts, connecting it to careers, personal growth, and businesses.
IASA: Fall Session 2023
As families gathered for Thanksgiving, students prepared for their final week in the Fall 2023 program session in which they presented their program portfolios to their peers. While the eight weeks always seem to fly by, it was evident that the conversations and the mentorship was an impactful experience.
As with all who participate and graduate from this program, this conversation of advocacy and empowerment will continue throughout their lives. They will embark on goals that they set for themselves, each step providing them with a challenge and an opportunity. It is our hope that their experience over the past eight weeks will help provide them with the tools and the confidence to succeed. Congratulations to the IASA Fall 2023 cohort; go and write your story!
I Am Self-Advocacy: Inviting Mentees
ECNV’s Winter Session of IASA will begin January 15, 2024, and end prior to the students’ Spring Break. This 8-week virtual program involves students meeting one-on-one with a peer mentor each week as well as weekly group meetings with their peers to discuss topics integral to self-advocacy such as self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights & responsibilities, assertiveness, allies, and advocacy. As a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program, all referrals must come from the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). The referral deadline is December 8th. Please reach out to Paul Whitney at paulw@ecnv.org for more information.
Money Matters
Registration for the Winter Session of Money Matters 101 is now open. Eligible referrals are FIS Waiver, DARS VR, or anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about money. Virtual classes will take place on Wednesdays from 4-5pm, January 10th – February 7th. Please use the link below for online registration. Registration is REQUIRED. All interested individuals (or counselors) are welcome to ask questions at info@ecnv.org.
Use our online registration form to sign up today!
Registration closes Dec 20, 2023. Participants must be Northern Virginia residents.
Travel Training
ECNV’s Travel Training program is for people with disabilities who want to learn to travel safely and independently using public transportation in the Washington Metropolitan area. Travel training is 1:1 and highly individualized, allowing participants to decide, practice, and perfect the routes that they want to ride. Send us an email at info@ecnv.org to learn more or schedule your first appointment!
Celebrating Success!!
ECNV is thrilled to share a consumer story that has us beaming with joy!!
“I wanted to let you know how much my husband and I appreciate all the work that Hunter has put in to help our daughter navigate the public transportation world. From the first day that he came out and met with our daughter he has been nothing but professional, kind, and supportive. He has taught her to use the Fairfax Connector and Metro. She has learned so much and is getting more confident using the bus and metro. He is so patient and caring. Our daughter looks forward each time she goes out with him. We all feel so fortunate to have Hunter as part of the team to support her on her road to independence. Thank you for sharing Hunter with us!” -ECNV parents
Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to creating meaningful change. ECNV’s mission is to make a positive impact, we invite you to consider donating.
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!
● NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for family members, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.
● People First and ALLY Toastmasters is an advocacy organization designed for and run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
● 21 Shades of Virginia, is a support group for families expecting or raising an African-American or interracial child with Down Syndrome.
All of these are free to join, and we also invite the disability community to let us know if there is a support group out there that is not listed here, to please let us know about it and it can be added to this resource!
Stay happy, stay healthy!
ECNV Upcoming Events Calendar
December 15 – The ENDependents Social Group (virtual), 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
January 17 – ECNV Board Meeting from 5:00 – 6:30 pm
*The social groups are run by ECNV Staff. These fun gatherings are a great time for connecting, sharing and often take place over a good meal. Perhaps you'll make a new friend, and with lots of pandemic mandates being lifted, it's a perfect time to come back out. For more information, contact info@ecnv.org
Be on the lookout for a distinct "Be in the Know" email, which will be distributed within the next few weeks.
ECNV Around Town
Vaccine for All!!
ECNV continues providing access to COVID-19 vaccinations, test kits, and pandemic support to community groups, BIPOC and immigrant organizations. We know that COVID-19 has a more devastating impact on disabled and elderly of diverse populations and ECNV continues to partner with the medical community, health departments and community groups.
About the ECNV Vaccine Project
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, underserved communities under the Bridge Access Program that provides vaccines at no cost to adults without health insurance.
Bookmark our ECNV Vaccination Events page on our website to learn more information about upcoming events in your area.
Wings For All
On Saturday, October 28, 2023, ECNV Travel Trainer Hunter Cardwell, and Outreach Coordinator Pansy Walker, attended the Wings for All event sponsored by Arc of Northern VA. This event, which took place at the Reagan National Airport, gives families and aviation professionals the confidence to take to the skies with ease by providing an airport rehearsal as well as a presentation on the aircraft and in-flight safety protocols.
ECNV's TGIF Social Group
On Friday, November 3, 2023, staff members led the TGIF social group at Dos Amigos. 15 ECNV consumers participated.
Himalayan COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
On November 4, 2023, ECNV provided vaccines to the Himalayan community residing in Northern Virginia, an event that is deeply connected to our organization's mission to serve the diverse and multicultural community. An experience full of spiritual wealth and peace that accurately reflected that the universal language is a smile and our unwavering organization's commitment to serve seniors with disabilities, their caregivers, and their communities.
Seniors Getting Vaccinated!!
On Monday, November 6, 2023 ECNV in partnership with Louduon Caregivers hosted a vaccine clinic at Madison House Apartments, Leesburg, VA in Loudoun County.
ECNV Advancing Racial Equity Cohort
On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, The ECNV Advancing Racial Equity Cohort presented their plan for creating an equitable organization that allows staff members at all levels to feel empowered within the organization. They will present their plan with staff and management input on key objectives to build empowerment, collaboration and trust within ECNV. The ECNV team, Paul Whitney, Nagham Sendak, Vicente Saavedra, and Cherie Takemoto (in center) with Jasmine Khanani (left) and Dr. Stacy Scott (right) from the cohort facilitators from Wayfinding Partners. This study group was a project of ACT for Alexandria.
FCPS Career and Transition Services Presents the Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, Maura Schmidt, Program Facilitator/ILS, and Pansy Walker, Outreach Coordinator, had the pleasure of representing ECNV at the FCPS Career and Transition Resource Fair at Annandale High School. Over 150 families registered for the event and many vendors represented their agencies with an abundance of information and resources.
37th Annual Caregivers Conference- When Caregiving Calls: Building a Framework for Resilience
On Friday, November 10, 2023, Pansy Walker attended the 37th Annual Caregiver Conference at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church. This all-day event was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium. This year’s event focused on the resilience and spirit of caregivers. The conference is designed for family caregivers, volunteers working with older adults, and professionals in aging and related services. The sessions assist attendees with a better understanding of providing care and support to someone with dementia, learning new ways to engage individuals with dementia, connect with other caregivers and collect resources from exhibitors who offer supportive services.
ECNV Protecting Immigrant Communities
On Saturday November 11, 2023, ECNV in partnership with Mount Olive Methodist Church in Arlington VA, hosted a vaccination clinic and distributed COVID-19 home tests to Hispanic immigrants and others residing in Arlington County. ECNV staff spoke with so many while they waited in line. They were grateful to the church for providing food to feed their families with dignity, even overcoming language barriers, and to ECNV for the vaccines. It was a very cold morning but helping those in need brought a lot of warmth.
Agents of Change: News Spotlight!
On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, ECNV’s Disability Justice Agents of Change team graduates, Victor Wear (Isaiah and Tiffany Hamilton) were featured on WUSA9 Shop Small Feature. Victor Wear helps employ and empower The Autism Community.
On Thursday, November 16, the Arlington Three (Huan Vuong, Ben McGann and Emma Budway) posted an online petition “Inclusion in Arlington Public Schools.” This is an advocacy project by the Ford Foundation Disability Justice grant for the Agents of Change team the Arlington Three. Sign and help spread the word!
ECNV Continues to Serve the Diverse Faith Network!
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, ECNV partnered with Durga Temple of Virginia to provide vaccines and free COVID-19 home tests to Hindu faith community, which is located in Lorton and serves Fairfax County.
Corazon De America Thanksgiving Food Distribution in Culmore
On Sunday, November 19, ECNV gave away bags and COVID-19 home tests to more than 300 members of the Culmore Community in Falls Church. Residents also received turkeys and other meals to help make a Thanksgiving meal, thanks to donations from CORAZON DE AMERICA, a non-profit collaborative whose mission is to improve the lives of the immigrant communities residing in Falls Church, VA.
Carlin Senior Housing Vaccine Clinic
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Program and Training Coordinator Andrew Shaw and ECNV Communications and Publications Specialist Elaine Shaw hosted a vaccine clinic at Carlin Senior Living in Arlington. Elaine, a pharmacist from Walgreens was on hand to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to over twenty residents. On site staff Josephine Koroma helped coordinate the flow of residents receiving vaccines. Elaine Shaw also picked up other resource material for independent living in Arlington. This was a successful event and most residents they interacted with were grateful to be vaccinated and happy to participate in our demographic survey which helps provide for our funding.
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