Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos donate $97.5 million to 24 nonprofits across the U.S. working on family homelessness
Oakton, Va. – Nov. 20, 2018 – The Day 1 Families Fund announced today it will invest $2.5 million in Northern Virginia Family Service’s (NVFS) efforts to end family homelessness in the region. The grant will help fund NVFS’ unwavering people-centric approach to continue to pursue solutions to family homelessness. Funding from the grant will go toward housing after shelter and providing families with services, skills training and job support needed in transitioning to and remaining in permanent housing.
As a leader in providing a full range of human services in its region, NVFS has nearly 100 years of experience and a stellar reputation for providing quality community services and sharing its expertise with partners across the country. NVFS’ holistic approach is designed to address the immediate needs of families in their community, and to provide the tools and resources to support and empower them toward long-term solutions.
“Receiving an investment from the Day 1 Families Fund is truly an honor,” said Stephanie Berkowitz, NVFS president and CEO. “For nearly a century, NVFS has been an innovator in solving the most critical community issues. This investment will accelerate NVFS’ efforts in implementing and developing solutions, models and practices to address family homelessness in Northern Virginia. We are thrilled to partner with the Day 1 Families Fund, and appreciate Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos’ vision and commitment to ending family homelessness.”
This investment ensures NVFS is able to continue to provide best practices in ending family homeless and develop new solutions that help address systemic inequities. It will accelerate our region’s efforts in developing solutions that can be replicated. Through investment in its talent and its operations, NVFS will continue to be a thought leader and driver to help ensure every family in Northern Virginia has a safe, stable place to call home.
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) is one of 24 nonprofits to receive the first Day 1 Families Fund grants, totaling $97.5 million. Recipients from around the country include: Abode Services, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Community of Hope, Community Rebuilders, Crossroads Rhode Island, District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH), Emerald Development & Economic Network (EDEN) Inc., FrontLine Service, Hamilton Families, Heartland Family Service, Housing Families First, JOIN, LA Family Housing (LAFH), Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), Primo Center for Women and Children, Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), SEARCH Homeless Services, Simpson Housing Services, The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, The Salvation Army of Greater Houston, UMOM New Day Centers and Urban Resource Institute (URI).
Founded by Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos, the Bezos Day One Fund consists of two programs: the Day 1 Families Fund that provides grants to nonprofit organizations fighting homelessness, and the Day 1 Academies Fund that will fund and build a network of preschools in low-income communities across the country. The Day 1 Families Fund’s vision comes from the inspiring Mary’s Place in Seattle: no child should sleep outside. A small group of expert advisors provided input to the Bezos Day One Fund team to select these organizations. The Day 1 Families Fund will be awarding grants annually. For more information, visit www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund.
About Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS)
Since 1924, NVFS (nvfs.org) has been strengthening the Northern Virginia community by investing in families. NVFS began as a grassroots effort as neighbors banded together to help meet basic human needs — food, coal and clothing. During our nearly 100-year history, we have remained authentic to those acts of humanity and are ever-evolving to meet the challenges of the region, pioneering a service delivery model that responds to more than 35,000 individuals annually. NVFS believes deeply that community well-being starts with a solid foundation for everyone — access to affordable housing, health care, nutritious food and high quality early childhood education. NVFS’ unique wraparound approach allows the region’s most vulnerable neighbors to achieve stability and strengthen their capacity. Our mission is “to empower individuals and families to improve their quality of life, and to promote community cooperation and support in responding to family needs.”