Community Connection

October 2023 Newsletter

News in the Community

Welcome Aboard to our

New Development Director!

Community Lodgings is pleased to introduce you to its new Director of Development, Shelli Vasser Gilliam.

Shelli is a connector and catalyst, who is passionate about helping people. She also enjoys building relationships and alliances, writing, and speaking. Shelli’s diverse experience in nonprofit leadership, corporate, and as an entrepreneur will complement the team’s skills and abilities.

As part of the leadership team, Shelli will use every opportunity to advocate for CLI families and be responsible for growing support, donor cultivation, internal/external communication, volunteer engagement, and nurturing community and corporate partnerships.

Shelli enjoys watching the sun rise and set - as evidenced by the photo - being inspired by art and mosaics, and spending time with family and friends. You'll see Shelli in the community connecting with our local businesses and supporters, as well as at events. Say hello or reach out to Shelli at svgilliam@community-lodgings.org!

Welcome to the Community Lodgings team, Shelli!

Trunk-Or-Treat

Thanks to the generous partnership of Restoration City Church for hosting Trunk-Or-Treat on Tuesday, October 30th at New Brookside parking lot!

Kids who sign up will wear costumes, join in the fun and festivities of this community event.

This annual, family activity will include snacks and special treats for the kids, and in true Trunk-or-Treat form, there will be plenty of Halloween and Fall-themed trunks. This event is held each year to bring families together in a fun way, and so that the kids in our community enjoy their Halloween.

We appreciate Restoration City Church for hosting this evening activity for the kids and hope to see you there!

District Biscuit Delicious!

Have you visited District Biscuit yet? This fantastic, fast casual restaurant arrived in DelRay/Chirilagua-Arlandria and is already a CLI community partner!

District Biscuit takes pride in making fresh and delicious biscuits by handcrafting each one. Their devotion can be experienced by devouring their mouthwatering, homemade biscuits with honey butter or jam. There are numerous options available. Whether you are ordering one or multiple biscuits, or want a biscuit prepared with egg, sausage and gravy, or even smoked salmon - or, you are picking up ready-to-bake biscuits for your family's next brunch gathering or event - District Biscuits is a quick service, breakfast/lunch/brunch hot spot to check out. The menu includes something for everyone, even those of us with a limited palate.

Here's another great reason to visit District Biscuit! Between now and November 30, you can round up your purchase to the nearest dollar and support the mission of Community Lodgings. It's super simple. When paying for your order, you'll be able to select whether you would like to round up your purchase. Voila! That's it!

Visit District Biscuit at 3401 Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. Try their amazing biscuits and round up! We appreciate your support!

Youth Education Program

Members of George Mason University's Hispanic Student Association Support CLI's Youth Mentoring Program

The team at Community Lodgings, Inc. is grateful for the outstanding support of members of the George Mason University Hispanic Student Association. GMU students shared inspirational stories with our middle school children, as well as ideas on ways to prepare for high school, and insights that will help them understand what to expect.

Our kids were enthusiastic and asked great questions! The advice and encouragement they received is invaluable. Having university students share their experiences with our children has allowed them to generate ideas and ways to prepare for the next chapter.

Thank you to the GMU Hispanic Student Association for participating in this interactive activity!

Student Spotlight

Angel Flores-5th grade

Angel is a 5th grader at the New Brookside Learning Center. He has shown incredible progress in being able to identify his needs and advocate for himself. Previously, Angel's behavior would cause distractions, and he had trouble engaging with his peers. He has shown significant improvement in his behavior, and knows to ask "Ms. Rachel, I need a break".

Through the Youth Education Program, Angel has learned how to connect with his peers as they engage in appropriate conversation and joke with each other. He also shows respect to tutors when they give him instruction, and will let them know when he needs to sit with Ms. Rachel for a little while.

Recently, Angel's bike was stolen. Rather than becoming upset, he reported it to a Support Aide at New Brookside Learning Center and she kindly donated a bike to him. Ms. Kate gave him a bike lock. Now, Angel arrives everyday at the Learning Center ready to play with the younger students. He is kind, demonstrates leadership, and plays with them in an appropriate way.

We are proud of Angel, the growth he has shown, and progress he has made. We look forward to continuing to see him flourish academically!

Annual Holiday Store

Show Your Holiday Spirit! Share Joy and Kindness to Community Lodgings Families!

Our Annual Holiday Store will be held Tuesday, December 12 . All donations must be received by December 11 . The Holiday Store will be stocked with hundreds of new, donated toys, books, games, and gift items that we receive from the Alexandria community and across the region.

With the holidays quickly approaching, we ask that you consider donating new gift items from our Wish List so our families can experience the joy and warmth of the holiday season.

Looking for another way to get involved? Consider volunteering to assist children with shopping for their parents.

Holiday Wish List

Volunteer Sign-up

Community Lodgings' operates year-around and we need your help.

How can you support our Youth Education Program?

The Program has grown from serving 50 students in one learning center in 2003 to now serving up to 120 across three learning centers. Thankfully, because of dedicated supporters like you, we are able to serve these students after school. Please consider volunteering for our Youth Education Program. Volunteers help our staff and serve as tutors and mentors.
Donate! Through your regular contributions, Community Lodgings is able to make an impact on families' lives through transitional housing, as well as permanent, affordable housing, youth education programs, and support services.

Together, we can lift families from homelessness and instability to self-sufficiency and independence.

There are many ways to support Community Lodgings' families.

Please continue to share the holiday spirit and give your gift today!

Together, we can continue to meet the needs of this community through this vital program and help families with affordable housing, and more students like Angel thrive and achieve their highest potential.

Your gift today will make a difference in the lives of our families in Alexandria.

Here are a few ways your generous donation can help:

$25 – Provides three days of food for our pantry available to our students and families in the community

$50 – Covers college application fees for one student in our NextUp Program

$100 – Provides support for our Transitional Housing families

$250 – Provides Weekender tote bags filled with nutritious food for one student for the school year

$500 – Provides backpacks and school supplies for 10 students to start the school year

$1,000 – Funds one field trip or college tour for 25 students

Your monthly donation will support Community Lodgings year-around as we continue to operate, provides services to the community, and maintain our aging buildings.

No amount is too small.

Every gift makes a difference in the lives of the families we serve. Help make a life-changing impact with your best year-end or monthly gift today!

Donate Today to

Keep Our Community Thriving!

Click Here to Donate