Contributed by Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran, McLean
I recently had the opportunity to spend a few hours volunteering at the Food for Others food distribution warehouse located in Merrifield. What an eye-opening and rewarding experience!
Here is a short history of Food for Others from their website:
For the past 28 years, Food for Others has established itself as an essential part of Northern Virginia’s safety net. In our first year of operation, we served about 105 families per month. All these years later, we’re serving roughly 3,000 families per week and 3,900 students each week via the Power Pack Program (P3).
The day I was there, I joined with other Tysons Teammates volunteers to assemble P3 (Power Pack Program) food packets. These food packets are sent home with Fairfax County elementary school students on Fridays during the school year to supplement their food for the weekend. It was mind blowing to learn that almost 4,000 of these packets are distributed each week.
It is also mind-blowing and heartening to know that over 40% of the work done by Food for Others is performed by volunteers. They are so grateful for any help, whether it is in the form of donations or manpower.
To learn of the ways to get involved at Food for Others, please visit their website at: foodforothers.org/.
PS: I learned about this service opportunity through Tysons Teammates. If you are interested in helping to build “the fabric of the Tysons community” you can check them out, too.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
On a beautiful recent Saturday morning, approximately fifty people of different faith traditions — youth and adults — met at the Harris Family Cemetery at Bull Run Regional Park for a fall clean up. Members of Redeemer Lutheran, a Tysons Interfaith partner, were among the participants.
This final resting place of some ninety people, mostly the ancestors of emancipated slaves, was discovered in a wooded glen behind the Atlantis Water Park several years ago.
In addition to spreading mulch on the path leading to the burial area, volunteers raked leaves and cleared debris to uncover the white markers that mark the location of interred individuals. Other volunteers repainted these markers.
It was very uplifting to help maintain this sacred place, and to learn more about the history of this area and its remarkable people. I look forward to returning to this space.
To learn more about the cemetery, please visit https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-regional-park/things-to-do
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
During September and October, Tysons Interfaith was honored to partner with the Tysons Community Alliance and the Fairfax County Police Department to sponsor a food drive at the fabulous Fall Mixed Market held on Wednesday afternoons at the Boro in Tysons.
Because of the generous donations of people who live and work in Tysons, we were able to make several deliveries of needed items to both SHARE of McLean and Second Story.
What a pleasure it was to mingle with people who live and work in the Tysons area, explore the varied vendor stands, enjoy beautiful fall weather and work with our community partners in support of these great non-profits who are doing such important work in our area.
I hope we can do it again next fall.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Tysons Interfaith is pleased to present a series of blog posts highlighting local non-profit organizations who are doing so much to help our neighbors. Please consider helping these groups with your time and resources. For a list of nonprofit organizations working in the Tysons area please visit: tysonsinterfaith.org/resources/
If you’ve ever driven past the bright purple door on Gallows Road with the welcoming sign out front, you’ve driven by Second Story for Teens in Crisis, an emergency home that provided 699 bed nights to youth in crisis last year. It’s the only emergency home or safe haven in Northern Virginia for teens ages 13 to 17. It’s also just one of the programs Second Story offers to youth and families in the region.
Learn more about Second Story by attending the annual Beacon of Hope Breakfast on October 25th, 2023, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM ET at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Virginia. All are invited and registration is required. Learn more here: second-story.org/2023-beacon-of-hope-fundraiser/.
For more than 50 years, Second Story has been transforming the lives of children, youth, and their families by providing safe havens and opportunities to grow and thrive at critical turning points. Second Story’s vision is of a community where all young people are safe, live in a nurturing environment, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. They’ve assisted more than 50,000 young people through their four programs.
- Second Story for Teens in Crisis provides a short-term place to stay for youth in crisis ages 13 to 17, plus food, clothing, and individual and family counseling. The staff also runs a 24-hour crisis-counseling hotline.
- Second Story for Homeless Youth helps high school students and youth experiencing homelessness with housing, case management, and life skills training.
- Second Story for Young Mothers offers long-term housing as well as life skills support, counseling, and assistance with basic needs for young mothers experiencing homelessness so they can learn to support themselves and their children.
- Second Story in the Community serves the communities of Culmore, Annandale, and Springfield through Family Resources Centers, Safe Youth Projects, and a Teen Center. They offer language, computer, health literacy, parenting, and financial planning classes, as well as tutoring, after-school support, and food distribution.
The true testament to Second Story’s work lies in the countless young individuals who have been given the opportunity to rewrite their life narratives, or their Second Stories. Last fiscal year, 120 youth had a safe place to stay, and some stayed for up to 18 months. Second Story also distributed 973 backpacks, provided 3,750 individual tutoring sessions, fielded over drop-in 26,000 consultations, and provided 12,309 food distributions.
There are many ways you can support Second Story’s mission.
- Give monetarily: second-story.org/givenow/
- Attend a virtual Open Door Session to learn more: second-story.org/get-involved/open-door/
- Follow Second Story on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter @SecondStoryorg
- Visit Second Story’s website and sign up for the newsletter at second-story.org
- Listen to the podcast: second-story.org/podcast/
- Donate items: second-story.org/immediate-needs/
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Tysons Interfaith is pleased to present a series of blog posts highlighting local non-profit organizations who are doing so much to help our neighbors. Please consider helping these groups with your time and resources. For a list of nonprofit organizations working in the Tysons area please visit: tysonsinterfaith.org/resources/
What is Share?
- Share Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. To see our IRS Form 990 annual financial reports, click here.
- Though we are not religiously affiliated, we were established in 1969 by a coalition of local faith communities to help meet the emergency needs of our neighbors in McLean and the nearby areas of Northern Virginia.
- We are an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff, no office, and no paid fundraisers, therefore, nearly all donations directly benefit our neighbors in need.
- Share assistance includes a food pantry, clothing room, furniture program and family assistance program.
- We are supported by generous donations from local religious congregations, community organizations, neighborhood businesses and individuals. Our food and clothing rooms are housed is space donated by McLean Baptist Church.
- It currently takes more than 1000 volunteer hours per month to run our programs, so we are always recruiting new volunteers.
The Neighbors We Serve
- Our neighbors in need are economically distressed families and individuals, seniors living on limited incomes (often facing medical issues), new immigrants and victims of spousal abuse, as well as the homeless.
- The neighbors we serve are referred to us from participating faith communities, county social services, and a number of non-profit groups serving special need groups (such as victims of spousal abuse or the formerly homeless).
- Before being granted services, these neighbors are screened to ensure they fall within our service area and have an appropriate level of need.
- We serve the working poor, disabled persons, the homeless, recent immigrants and the elderly as well as those facing a crisis such as illness, job loss or other family emergency.
- Last year, we provided services to over 2,000 families including 4,500 household members, most of whom are children.
For information on how to volunteer or donate to Share of McLean, please visit shareofmclean.org
Most Needed Items
June 2023
FOOD:
Pasta (spaghetti, elbow, penne)
Canned tomatoes (diced, sauce)
Pasta sauce (cans or plastic jars)
Canned chicken
Peanut Butter (16 oz)
Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, peaches)
Canned corn
Canned beans (chickpea, pinto, kidney)
Vegetable oil (plastic jars: 24 oz, 48 oz)
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS:
Diapers (Sizes 5-7) and pull-ups (4T, 5T)
Adult diapers (all sizes, both genders)
Toilet paper / paper towels
Shampoo / Conditioner
Laundry detergent (20 – 40 loads)
Baby wipes
______________________________________________________
Please remember: NO GLASS, NO OVER-SIZED items, and no items past their “Best if Used By/Before” date.
Share would welcome re-usable grocery size bags, paper shopping bags with intact handles, and plastic grocery bags (used but intact).
Note: Share can accept refrigerated and frozen goods such as chicken, fresh produce, yogurt, cheeses, and eggs but only by prior arrangement (contact: sharevolunteers1367@gmail.com).
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
Tysons Interfaith is pleased to present a series of blog posts highlighting local non-profit organizations who are doing so much to help our neighbors. Please consider helping these groups with your time and resources. For a list of nonprofit organizations working in the Tysons area please visit: tysonsinterfaith.org/resources/
Gracing Spaces (former ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church), is now an independent local charity with a 501(c)(3) status.
When you grow up attending a Lutheran church, you often hear the phrase, “God’s work. Our hands.” Born into our identity as Lutherans is a desire to serve our neighbors out of love and obedience to the Lord. Gracing Spaces, a local volunteer organization that furnishes homes for families in transition, is one way that many of us feel called to serve.
Twenty years ago, a newly engaged Amanda Baumgart encouraged her mom to nix the traditional bridal shower and opt instead to renovate a room at a local halfway house. The attendees had such fun that they went back to give the entire house a makeover, deciding that this house could be the first of many. And it was—it was the first of thousands. A growing group of volunteers began to “grace spaces” in the northern Virginia community—coordinating with social workers to identify needs in the community and work to meet them.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Clifton, Virginia, loaned Gracing Spaces their unfinished basement which became “the depot.” Like a department store, the depot housed kitchen goods, linens, children’s clothes, tables, chairs, sofas, bookshelves, baby products, toys, beds, cleaning supplies—really anything that people were willing to donate that could “grace the space” of someone in need. A workshop was set up, so furniture was repaired instead of going to the landfill. Donors, often in times of grief and transition, walked away from the depot a little lighter, knowing the loved objects of their lives would find a good second home. For fourteen years, volunteers gathered every week to fill “orders”, working to coordinate furniture and add decorative touches to make sure spaces became homes. Vehicles that came into the parking lot empty went away full. On weekends (makeover days), empty spaces became homes.
In 2022, Lord of Life no longer felt that they could singly support Gracing Spaces since the ministry had grown profoundly over twenty years, so we had a decision to make—should we close up shop or evolve? Looking at the need in the community and knowing we could help, there really was no choice. We still had work to do—God still wanted our hands busy serving our neighbors.
A year later, we look a bit different. We have many “depots”—basements, garages, public storage units. We are independent, with a 501(c)(3) status and a board of directors. We have committees to help with fundraising and marketing. One thing is unchanged: our mission to give a “hand up” to the most vulnerable in our community by making their new spaces into homes.
Our biggest need is for a new “depot”, a donated or affordable warehouse where we can work and grow the ministry. After all, furniture takes up space! We are fundraising seed money to rent a property, so financial contributions and new partners in ministry (https://www.gracingspaces.com/donate-money) are a wonderful blessing to our organization as well.
For twenty years, we have found great joy in moving goods from where they are no longer needed into places where they are. We pray for another twenty years, knowing our community is stronger when we care for one another.
Love and serve without distinction all earth’s people, first and least,
Know within each act of kindness, hope and wholeness are increased.
“See my hands and feet,” said Jesus, love arisen from the grave.
“Be my hands and feet,” said Jesus, “live as ones I died to save.”
–“See My Hands and Feet” by Mary Louise Bringle
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
An article I read from the Stanford Center for Longevity notes that there is a relationship between volunteering and improved physical health and cognitive function. “Research also shows that volunteers report elevated mood and less depression, and that volunteers report increased social interactions and social support, better relationship quality, and decreased loneliness.” longevity.stanford.edu A contributor to Deseret News had this to say about her volunteer experience: “I’ve experienced the boost in happiness, the sense that I was part of something bigger. I made friends, formed connections that I still have to this day, and I felt more optimistic about the world when I was surrounded by people who, like me, were trying to help others.” deseret.com/coronavirus/2022/4/17.
Of course, volunteering strengthens communities as well. As people of different backgrounds come together to serve our neighbors, we discover that we have much more in common than we ever imagined. Whether it is donating our time, talents or resources, each selfless act truly does help make the world a better place.
Want to learn more about some of the non-profits doing phenomenal work in the Tysons area? Spring and summer 2023, Tysons Interfaith will present a series of blog posts highlighting local organizations that are working to improve the lives of our neighbors. Please look for these periodic posts, or feel free to visit the Tysons Interfaith Resources Page for a comprehensive list of non-profit organizations in our area: tysonsinterfaith.org/resources.
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
On Sunday, February 5, Tysons Interfaith will host a workshop entitled, “Reconnecting Post Pandemic.” We invite you to join us on Zoom for this event. (Details can found here.)
In the spirit of this event, we share with you these observations from Trish Hall of the Centers for Spiritual Living Metro.
It dawned on me recently that what I have been experiencing in the aftermath of the pandemic, was described in a story by Washington Irving. A few years ago, my life seemed to have some order to it. The pandemic hit. I felt like the letter-cubes being shaken in a Boggle cup. I accepted the role of the letters and made sense of my life within the confines of pandemic rules. Then the rules changed again. Like Rip Van Winkle, an amiable farmer who wandered into the Catskill Mountains where he came upon a group of dwarfs playing ninepins, I found myself in a different world among many unrecognizable people behaving in ways that were foreign to me. Rip accepted their offer of a drink of liquor and promptly fell asleep. I watched horrific scenes and appalling statistics on television, listened attentively to learn about medicines and sequestered. He awakened, 20 years later, as an old man with a long white beard; the dwarfs were nowhere in sight. Rip wandered into town and found everything was different.
I didn’t grow a long white beard. My slumber was only 2-3 years, but my disorientation was on par. Information (and misinformation) was coming from all directions. Schools and scheduling changed. Workplaces had been transformed. We learned, on a daily basis, which people, companies and organizations had survived. Everyone, in some way, had been impacted.
For many, re-socialization has been a struggle. Some adjusted to isolation so well that reconnecting with the world in-person was, and still is, scary. Navigating the new rules, or lack thereof, caused a sense of instability. Wobbling, tumbling, scrambling for a known that no longer exists, stressed many relationships to the breaking point.
Yet, deep within the disorientation, there is a vital energy calling us to emerge out of the cave of illusion into the light. We are being called to embrace the divine creativity within us.
Just as the phoenix rose from the ashes, we have the opportunity to discard behaviors and beliefs that do not serve us. Whether they ever did is irrelevant. Now freed from our tethers, we can overcome obstacles, achieve goals previously thought to be unattainable and create a world that works.
Now is the time to come together to cause a paradigm shift in the course of history. We need not be concerned that there may seem to be only a few who understand that this is our time to make a difference. Margaret Wheatley advised, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
This is a time of new beginnings. Everything we thought we knew has been impacted in some way – some cataclysmically, some minorly – none have escaped completely. Not in my lifetime, have I experienced a potentially clean slate on which to design a new world. Multitudes are still clinging to pieces of the past, terrified of the unknown, grasping onto tendrils of the past, impeding the emergence of a new way of being. Some have surrendered and given up, heading back into the cave to be re-shackled to the wall. Others have surrendered in a different way: they have released their attachment to trying to reinstate the past and are enthusiastically awakening to possibility … to calling forth pure creative potential. These are a new breed of investors – willing to invest heart and soul in creating a world that works. These are the ones that see the opportunities that abound – opportunities to be the facilitators birthing a world that works.
Imagine with me, a world in which all persons live in alignment with their highest spiritual principle, understanding the interconnectedness of all creation – in which there is an awakening to its spiritual magnificence. There would be no atrocities perpetrated. Kindness, and respect of each other as divine emanations would be the norm. Resources are valued, grown, cared for, and shared so that everyone has enough so that terms such as homelessness and food instability would only be words in the dictionary from times gone by. Everyone belongs in our new world.
Imagine a world which draws on spiritual wisdom and the lessons of experience -in which people respect and honor the interconnectedness of all life. This is our time for awakening heart based social conscience in every area of the political, corporate, academic, and social sectors, building sustainable structures to foster the emergence of global consciousness – a global ethic – a world in which the kinship all life prospers.
Imagine everyone discovering the creative power of thought and using it for the betterment of all people: a world that works on the individual and global levels. Feel the world becoming peaceful, when, as Jimi Hendrix said, “…the power of love overcomes the love of power …”
I love the imagery of creativity, on the brink of chaos, thriving. We have experienced more than enough chaos – now is our chance to midwife the birth of a new world – a world of peace, prosperity, compassion and caring across the planet and in each household.
Imagine with me, people everywhere emphasizing unity with their creator and connection with each other – individually and collectively responding to the call of Spirit to take action. An awakened “world that works for everyone and for all of creation,” is emerging as each of us does our part.
Listen deeply and respond! How are you to be? What is yours to do? What cause is spirit calling you to set in motion?
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.
How are you feeling about the approaching holiday season? As we near the end of 2022, our first “Post Pandemic” year, we know that re-entry into society has taken on different forms for different people. For some, it has presented a real challenge.
As we prepare for upcoming holidays, Tysons Interfaith is pleased to offer a series of blog posts authored by members of our faith communities that highlight reflections on self, our place in the world, and suggestions for re-entering society and promoting comity among family and friends.
The interfaith community has observed a noticeable reluctance to rejoin in-person sociality after the isolation of COVID lockdowns. It may be that it’s just easier or feels safer to attend online. For others it may be the challenge of depression or addiction resulting from isolation.
In addition, recovering from COVID isolation during the upcoming holiday season intersects with the long-standing problem of isolation and disappointment felt by many during the holidays.
The phrase “to put yourself out there,” while it may be overused, has an important element of truth: there is risk in trying to develop or maintain a friendship. What if my outreach is not reciprocated?
Nevertheless, people need people. A friendly word, a smile, an unexpected act of kindness, or an interest in others can be life-changing or at least help us through another day. It’s been said that if you are with a group of people and assume that half of the group is facing a life crisis, you’ll be right most of the time. Whichever half we’re on, in-person interactions can be the “Balm of Gilead.”
Call upon your faith in God to help you have the courage to make the effort to resume in-person sociality by trying to focus on lighting up someone else’s life. Try the smile, the compliment, the kind word, an unexpected card or gift. Especially in all-important family relationships, express appreciation, offer help, ask for forgiveness, give forgiveness, or if needed make an apology. Listen. Look for common ground. See the good in others; everyone has a gift and talent.
If we feel alone, volunteer to help others. With thousands of refugees and new immigrants in Northern Virginia, the needs are great. In volunteering you meet the best people in the community. You may wish to visit the Tysons Interfaith website Resources page, which lists volunteer opportunities and area non-profits with whom our faith communities partner. When we lighten the burdens of others, our burdens seem lighter.
Take advantage of your unique opportunity to fill the world with peace and goodwill this holiday season!
I wanted to share with you an exceptional program I have been involved with that is currently seeking volunteers.
Work Life from Jobs for Life, is an eight-week Biblically based program that seeks to break the cycle of joblessness and poverty by giving people the tools they need to find and maintain meaningful employment.
Mentors, teachers and professional coaches are needed for the upcoming class which will meet January 9 – March 9, 2023 on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm – 9pm at the Lamb Center, 3160 Campbell Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031. Business owners and managers who are interested in helping people step into financial health are also needed.
While this is a Christian-based program, I have worked with volunteers and clients from a of a variety of faith traditions. It is so rewarding to be reminded of the brotherhood of humanity as together, we restore a sense of purpose and dignity to people and families in need.
There will be an In-person interest meeting on Saturday, October 29 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the Lamb Center.
For additional information, please visit this write-up from Centreville Presbyterian Church: https://centrevillepres.com/project/jobs-for-life/
This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.