UCM Community Connections - Spring 2016

United Community Ministries

Community Connections

At the Heart of Community Spring 2016

UCMAGENCY.ORG

MISSION “Thank You for Believing in Me”

UCM mobilizes "Coming to the UCM Center every day after school has taught me to
the power of have a better outlook on things, on my self respect, and most important,
community to to believe in myself, to be my own star in the story of my life. I am now
equip, educate, on the right track, with a new appreciation for my teachers and for my
and empower peers.” - Sophomore Deneisha, UCM Creekside Village Community
Center participant and honor student at West Potomac High School.
people to
measurably The success of Deneisha and so many teens like her starts with you.
improve their lives.
With the support of caring community members like you, UCM brings
VISION
opportunity, hope, and a brighter future to children and youth in our Volunteer mentor Kathy
No member Mount Vernon community. From birth through high school
of the UCM Lehner and teen Deneisha
community will
ever be hungry, graduation, our programs provide youth with enrichment experi- shared her inspiring story
homeless, helpless ences and opportunities for them to reach new heights. at the UCM Spring Gala.
or hopeless.
Your support gives our next generation a fighting chance to create a
BOARD OF better life for themselves, through these programs.
DIRECTORS
UCM Youth Tutor Healthy Families Fairfax: Guiding and supporting new parents.
Charles O’Connor Annette Thompson UCM Early Learning Center: Ages 6 weeks to 5 years for early.
Chair care and learning, and kindergarten readiness.
(left) with Deborah
Janet Heddesheimer Forward Steps: Teaching leadership skills for a diverse world.
Vice Chair Finley, Creekside Computer Learning Center Partnership: Ensuring computer access
Community Center and digital literacy.
Joseph Conti
Treasurer Supervisor. We have many ways you can help our children, including organizing
book or healthy snack collection drives; volunteering in our after-school
David Barbour programs; and making financial donations for enrichment activies.
Secretary
We invite you to join us at a UCM Coffee for Children, for a community conversation to
Abigail Arms learn about our kids' programs directly from our program staff and see the impact of your
Diane Brooks support. For upcoming dates or to host a session at your location, contact Susan Johnson
Suzy Coffey at [email protected] or 571.255.8992.
Claudia Creo
Kenneth Disselkoen Glitz, Glamour & Giving at Viva Las Vegas Gala
Moira Flanders
Zeyad Mady Thanks to our hosts The Director. “We are grateful
Andrew Reinsdorf
Martin Friends of UCM, hundreds for all their enthusiasm,

Schaefermeier of community members energy, and creativity.
James F. Seeley
Leah Tenorio enjoyed a glamorous eve- They inspire us with their

Nichelle A. Mitchem ning at the UCM Spring compassion and ‘can do’
Executive Director
Gala on April 2, raising spirit. Special thanks go to

more than $188,000. Suzy Coffey, Friends Guests enjoyed live Casino table
games, live and silent auctions,
“The Friends of UCM are all President, and to the
volunteers with amazing gala co-chairs for their and gourmet dinner at the US PTO.
dedication and such tireless amazing success.”
on page 4. A full list of all
energy,” says Nichelle We especially appreciate sponsors and event photos

Mitchem, UCM Executive our event sponsors, listed are at our website.

(story continues on page 2)

PAGE 2 Parents As Teachers

Thank you to Weichert Realtors / Most weeks, our Family
Alexandria Old Town for the Support Workers make
home visits to parents
363 pounds and more than $900 enrolled in our UCM
collected at their spring UCM Healthy Families Fairfax
program. But once a
Food Drive to help stock our Pantry. quarter, the families
Realtors are the heart of our community! meet together for an
educational “Parents As
Teachers” session. The
recent topic was healthy eating, where families
and children could make and eat fun snacks like
fruit faces on pancakes. Last fiscal year, there
were no reports of child abuse or neglect in any of
the 123 families enrolled in our program.

Legacy Gift Establishes Arleen B. Richman Fund

Arleen Richman volunteered for many years at UCM, as a coun-
selor assisting clients with emergency assistance in our Basic
Needs program. After her death in 2014 and to honor her legacy of
service, her estate established the Arleen B. Richman Fund at
UCM, which that will provide financial assistance to help low-
income adults, families, and children gain access to physical and
behavioral health-related services.

Waynewood Elementary “All of us at UCM appreciate the care, counseling, and support Sheldon Richman accepts a
School has raised more Arleen selflessly provided to hundreds of UCM clients over plaque at UCM Gala, in
than $7,000 this year for more than 15 years of volunteer service,” says Richard
UCM, including $1,400 as Dobber, UCM Director of Social Services. “Her efforts honor of his wife’s legacy.
proceeds from the Staff improved the quality of life for so many of our most
Basketball Game with vulnerable residents. Her impact will be felt for generations.”

Stratford Landing. UCM has provided vital services to vulnerable children, youth, and families for more than
Waynewood Principal 47 years. Just as important is planning for the work that still needs to be done. Including
James Meier accepted our UCM in your will or estate planning leaves a legacy that transforms lives for generations.
certificate of appreciation
on behalf of the school. Friends of UCM Events Raise $278K+ in FY16

We extend a huge thank you to (cont. from page 1) Capitol Steps is set for Nov. 13, 2016.
Spring Gala Co-Chairs (l to r) Benefit Perform-
“This year, UCM is putting ance, now held in Would you like to learn
Colleen Haddow, Meg Galanty, a special emphasis on our November at the more about The Friends of
and Donna Jarvis-Miller. programs that help adults US Patent & UCM and how you can get
obtain gainful employment Trademark Office involved? Contact Friend
for their families,” said in Old Town. of UCM Judy Cahill at
UCM Board Chair Charles [email protected].
O’Connor. “Support for Thanks to many
UCM is a sound social and generous spon-
financial investment that sors and guests, the Nov.
helps people become self- 8, 2015, event raised more
reliant members of our than $90,000+ to ensure
community.” that people have UCM as
a caring place to turn in
The other annual signature their time of need. The
event hosted by The next Capitol Steps Benefit
Friends of UCM is our

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS-SPRING 2016

PAGE 3

Volunteers are the Heart of Community!

Every April, we celebrate National Volunteer Month to honor our amazing At the April 8 Volunteer Fairfax Awards
volunteers. We depend on their generosity every month, all year long, to Breakfast are (l to r) UCM nominees
help our clients succeed. Joseph Conti (UCM Board Treasurer),

UCM volunteers were invited to our 2016 Volunteer Recognition Event Diane Tollefson (former Board Director),
on the morning of April 16. All long-term UCM volunteers received and Nancy Hegland and son Kenny,
certificates of appreciation. “The hard work and donations of time and with UCM leaders Elizabeth
talent by our hundreds of volunteers make our work possible,” said McNally and Nichelle Mitchem.
Nichelle Mitchem, UCM Executive Director. “It’s because of your service
that UCM can provide such extensive, quality services that make for
positive outcomes for thousands of people.”

UCM leadership nominated four UCM volunteers for this year’s
Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax.
We are thrilled that volunteers Nancy Hegland and her adult son Kenney
were named “Family Volunteer” across all of Fairfax County, for their ser-
vice managing the UCM loading dock at our main Fordson Road
location. Together, their volunteer service totaled 2,472 hours.

Accenture Interview Workshop with UCM Clients

The UCM Workforce Director for Literacy and could create and then deliver “He took a lot
Development Center Work. “Mike Manion and his their “elevator statements. of time to
hosts many special team of consultants were so “I got job-related information,
hands-on workshops helpful.” given from an interviewer’s work with me
and trainings for job perspective,” said one job and explain
seekers. This spring, a Diagnostic feedback was seeker. Clients were also
group from Accenture provided so participants assisted with developing ways to make
Federal "smart responses" to my resume so
Services (Rosslyn office) interview questions.
partnered with us for a free "My job counselor had said simi- much more
“Boost your Job lar things,” said one client with effective. Now
Search” workshop. an accounting career. “Today I'm excited to
helped me see things more apply for jobs
“We are grateful for this clearly. I have a solid under-
collaboration with Accenture standing and the confidence to with my new
Federal’s consultants,” said be prepared for my interviews.” resume.”
Tami Hunt, UCM Assistant
- Workshop
participant

Helping our Youngest Community Members to Grow and Thrive

Children and families at the UCM Early Learning Center enjoyed special activities for learning

during Week of the Young Child in April. Sponsored by the National Association for the Education of
Young Children, this annual celebration recognizes the early childhood years as the foundation for
children’s success in school and life. “Week of the Young Child is intended as a time to plan how all
community citizens will better meet the needs of all young children and all their families," explains
UCM Center Director Torria Baker.

On "Music Monday" children had fun exercising in the Bryant High School gymnasium with the school's Volunteer Valerie Ciardi
PE teacher Mr. Jones. "Taco Tuesday" was about healthy eating at school and home. Children helped assists a preschooler
prepare lunch, which was served “family style,” as it is every day at the Center. "Work Together
Wednesday" included building activities in each classroom, with families invited to take a tour. On with a building activity.
"Artsy Thursday" children were encouraged to use their imaginations and make their own choices to
design art projects. “Family Friday” featured storytelling and pictures about their families.

We appreciate Devotion to Children for its ongoing partnership to ensure quality early care and learning for working families,

especially for a recent $4,250 grant to purchase The Creative Curriculum for our infants and toddlers. Designed to maximize
academic, social, and physical development for infants to 4-year-olds, this curriculum is already in use in our Pre-K classrooms.
Research shows that the longer a young child is exposed to this curriculum, the better the outcomes, especially higher literacy
and mathematics scores in Kindergarten. The new grant means that our Center can provide cohesive learning for infants and
toddlers as the foundation for Kindergarten and beyond, exceeding the Virginia Preschool Initiative standard.

At the Heart of Community

ucmagency.org [email protected] CFC #37839 United Way #8199

Virginia Relay 711 Editor: Diane Hill
Join our e-news list at ucmagency.org

Volunteer with UCM

Volunteers are at the heart of the
work we do. We have many
opportunities for individuals and
groups to donate time and talent
From mentoring a child, to stocking
the Food Pantry, to serving on an
event team you can make a critical
impact to change lives! Click on
“Support Us” on our website.

Join us at the Heart of Community!

Thank You to our 2016 Save These Dates!
Special Event Sponsors!
Back to School 2016
Please join us in gratefully acknowledging our
Friends of UCM FY2016 Special Event Sponsors: Due Date: Late July/ early August
We’re already organizing to outfit 1,000+
DIAMOND SPONSOR students with backpacks and the supplies
DIRECTV they‘ll need for the Fall 2016 school year.
We need your help with new backpacks
Doug & Eileen Kennett and financial donations so we can
Elaine Kolish and David FitzGerald purchase supplies with our deep
discounts. If your family or group would
PLATINUM SPONSORS like to donate or organize a Back to
School drive this summer or volunteer to help out
Abigail Arms and Paul Dubberly email Emily Griffin at [email protected].
Fairfax County Professional Firefighters &
Capitol Steps
Paramedics IAFF. Local 2068 Benefit for UCM
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016
Charles & Linda O’Connor
Time Warner Cable Always a sell out crowd! Join us at the US PTO in
Old Town on the Sunday after the Presidential
GOLD SPONSORS Election to enjoy the latest political satire! Tickets
will go on sale this Fall at ucmagency.org. For
Claudia Creo; Inova Health System; Tom & Kathy further information or to reserve your event
Lehner; Zeyad Mady, DDS; Drs. James & Melissa sponsorship, email [email protected].
Thiel; Vogelman, Turner & Wright, PC

Complete lists of all sponsors and auction donors
are on our website. Thank you one and all!

Your generosity helps community members in need build brighter futures. Thank you!