(Alexandria, Va. – May 10, 2016) Healthy Families Alexandria, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), provides voluntary home-visiting services to first-time parents residing in Alexandria to promote healthy child development and prevent child abuse and neglect. Supporters have helped supply the program with basic needs, such as diapers and cribs, as well as educational resources for new parents to develop their parenting skills.
Such efforts were recognized at a reception last night at the Bank of Alexandria, at which the program also received a final $6,000 check from its longtime supporter, the Giving Circle of Alexandria, which will be ending its mission this year.
The Giving Circle of Alexandria was formed in 2004 to promote community engagement and to address the needs of Alexandria’s youngest and most vulnerable children. Giving Circle members pooled their financial and intellectual resources to better “Prepare Alexandria’s Children for Success.” Based on Giving Circle research for best practices and discussions with the community leaders who are closest to today’s issues, strategic programs and non-profit partners were identified.
Healthy Families Alexandria was one of the Giving Circle’s first long-term partners in 2005 and received $163,000 over a six-year period to support services for additional families in Alexandria, where the program has served nearly 6,000 families since its inception in 1993. The recent gift of $6,000 was granted to Healthy Families Alexandria to acknowledge their ongoing commitment to supporting Alexandria’s youngest children through parental engagement.
“Healthy Families Alexandria’s home-visiting program embodies the Giving Circle’s mission of supporting Alexandria’s youngest and most vulnerable children through parental engagement,” shared Tracy Nickelsburg, president of the Giving Circle. “It has been our honor to promote and collaborate with Healthy Families Alexandria, and we encourage our city’s leaders and residents to support their invaluable service.”
Other supporters recognized through the event include:
- Bruhn Morris
- JV Schiro
- Mason Hirst
- Healthy Kids
“We are thankful to have such wonderful, dedicated and longtime supporters to help this program continue to flourish,” stated Stephanie Berkowitz, president and CEO of Northern Virginia Family Service. “Last year, Healthy Families Alexandria was able to serve 168 families, and with their support, we hope to reach even more families in need in the future.”