Volunteer Alexandria and ALIVE! honors Michael Spatz 

ALIVE! joined Volunteer Alexandria in recognizing the 300+ hours of service that Michael Spatz has given to support all of our neighbors in need. Joined by the Zebra Press, city council members, Canek Aguirre and Kirk McPike, Volunteer Alexandria’s Executive Director, Marion Brunken, and ALIVE’s President and Executive Director, Mary Eileen Dixon and Jennifer Ayers. All parties came together on February 15th at the ALIVE! food warehouse to recognize Michael for his dedication to the City of Alexandria.

Congratulations Michael! ALIVE! is grateful for all of his work as a site leader during Saturday Truck-to-Trunk food distributions, sorter and bagger at the Bus Barn, and a committed member of ALIVE!’s Volunteer Committee. See footage from The Zebra Press by clicking here.

Volunteer Alexandria Celebration

Help ALIVE! find new members for some of its important committees

ALIVE! is looking for a few good people – to join some of the key committees which help govern the organization. New members are needed for its Audit, Personnel, and Governance Committees. The following paragraphs describe those committees and their needs. Those interested in volunteering for the committees or learning more about them should contact Mary Eileen Dixon, ALIVE! Board President at cmedixon8@msn.c​om or 571-970-0369.

Audit Committee

The primary mission of the ALIVE! Audit Committee is to help ensure the accurate and timely reporting of the organization’s financial position and activities in its annual audited financial statements and its IRS Form 990. Additionally, the committee works to ensure that ALIVE!’s accounting controls and policies are appropriate, adequate, and sufficiently documented to protect against possible fraud and abuse of the organization’s assets.

The committee generally meets quarterly (currently on Zoom) to address audit and tax related matters and more frequently as needed. Individuals with familiarity with nonprofit financial reporting and who are eager to help ALIVE! further its mission are ideal candidates for the committee.

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee will advise the Executive Director and Executive Board on matters relating to personnel policies and practices, compensation and benefits, employee relations, staffing and organizational structure. The committee will meet monthly (currently on Zoom), on a set schedule, and occasionally at other times if necessary. The estimated time commitment is 2 hours per month. People who have worked in the HR field or served on Personnel Committees of their congregations or other organizations would make ideal candidates for this committee.

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee is responsible for ongoing review and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of ALIVE!’s Board of Directors and Executive Board, by clarifying roles and responsibilities of their members, providing for development, assessing effectiveness, and regularly reviewing and suggesting updates to policies and procedures. The committee is currently evaluating policy and procedure documents created before the pandemic in light of the organization’s evolution and experience as it implemented a new board structure during the pandemic.

Currently most Governance committee work is conducted by email with occasional Zoom meetings. Ideal candidates for this committee include those who have served on nonprofit boards (ALIVE! or others) and who have some familiarity with ALIVE! operations.

Seeking New Members for the Marcus Alert Mission Group

The City of Alexandria is developing its model for the local implementation of Virginia’s Marcus-David Peters Act and is seeking new members for its Marcus Alert Mission Group. Mission Group members will have a unique opportunity to be a voice for their communities and to help reshape how behavioral health crises are responded to in the City. Below, please find details about Marcus Alert, the Mission Group, and how to apply to become a member.

What is Marcus Alert?

Marcus Alert is a new approach to behavioral health crisis response, as mandated by the Marcus-David Peters Act enacted by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020. Its broad goal is to ensure that behavioral health crises are met with behavioral health responses, with an emphasis on racial equity and reducing the role of police.

What is the Marcus Alert Mission Group?

The Marcus Alert Mission Group collaborates with and provides feedback to the Marcus Alert Technical Group, which is responsible for developing and finalizing the City’s Marcus Alert model. The Mission Group is comprised of community members and other stakeholders. To ensure that all voices are heard during the development process, it is critical that the group be representative of Alexandria’s diverse population and communities.

What is expected of members?

Mission Group members are expected to attend and engage in monthly one-hour meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM. There may be reading or small group work outside of the monthly meetings, though this will be limited. The Mission Group is expected to run through July 2022.

How can I become a member?

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Marcus Alert Mission Group, please complete this survey application by March 4, 2022.

For more information about Marcus Alert in the City of Alexandria, you can read this recent article from DCHS Connect. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mike Razak, Marcus Alert Coordinator, at michael.razak@a​lexandriava.gov​.

Join the ALIVE! Team

ALIVE! is searching for someone to fill our new Food Center Service Navigator position.

The Service Navigator will work closely with other members of the team to assess, implement, and evaluate actions required to meet the client’s human service needs and also ensure that volunteers and staff at the food centers are working collaboratively in the best interests of clients.
ALIVE! is also looking for an ALIVE! House Case Manager.
The ALIVE! House Case Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the shelter program and providing on-site staffing and program leadership. The Case Manager also supervises the ALIVE! House Shelter Monitor and is responsible for ensuring a safe, clean space for all clients.
Please share job opportunities with your community. We are excited to expand our operations and grow our amazing staff.

Home Inspector Needed

ALIVE! House is looking for someone who can help us assess the structural needs of the building. This includes an evaluation of the foundation, windows, fireplace, and water heater. Please let us know someone from your congregations has experience in home inspection or contracting and would be able to help us assess our needs.

Please contact execdir@alive-i​nc.org or call the ALIVE! office at (703) 837-9300

Painters and Drywall Installation Needed

This Spring, ALIVE! will be opening Food Hub locations and we need your help to make these spaces beautiful and welcoming! These neighborhood-based food access points will provide clients an opportunity to receive food and connect to other community supports and services to alleviate poverty. If you are interested in donating time or materials to paint or hang drywall please let us know.

Please contact Gerry Hebert at ghebert1949@icl​oud.com or call the ALIVE! office at (703) 837-9300

New Housewares Donation List
The ALIVE! Housewares Program helps provide basic items like brooms, saucepans, and microwaves to our neighbors transitioning into housing. Think about what you needed setting up your first apartment. These small items can make a big impact!
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church hosting Blood Drive
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be hosting an Inova Blood Drive on Saturday, February 26th from 9am to 1pm.

Healthy Homes Study

To join the Alexandria Health Department pilot study, please click on the image below:

Computer CORE- Skills Trainings

Since 1999, Computer CORE’s mission has been to prepare underserved adults to realize career aspirations with foundational digital and professional skills. Sponsored by the Alexandria Central Rotary Club, Computer CORE will be holding two free virtual basic computer skills Boot Camps for City of Alexandria residents 18 years old or older.

The Boot Camps are:

1) March 16-17  from 12-4 pm each day
2) March 30-31 from 12-4 pm each day

There is space available for 8 participants for each Boot Camp, and each participants will each receive a free refurbished laptop to keep. If you know of someone who might be interested, please contact Donna at donna@computercore.org regarding prospective candidates or have them email her directly.

You can see more about the work that Computer CORE does by visiting their website

Facing Eviction or Need Rental Assistance?

Meet with AEPP staff in-person for immediate assistance. Facilities are subject to close due to inclement weather and please bring your lease, ledgers, and any documents (snap or ssi approvals).

Every Tuesday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
alternating between Charles Houston Rec Center (901 Wythe Street)
and William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Avenue):

Every Thursday from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
at Casa Chirilagua (4109 Mt Vernon Ave)

Questions? Call 571-463-8567 or visit: www.alive-inc.org/aepp

Thank You to our Youth Volunteers

Episcopal High School, Bishop Ireton High School, and the Port City Chapter of the National Charity League, volunteer every Tuesday and Thursday. These young volunteers help sort items for ALIVE!’s food distribution events.

Visit ALIVE!’s website to learn more about how to sign up for a volunteer shift!

Food Distribution Schedule

Click the hyperlink below for the March ALIVE! Food Distribution Calendar. The calendar is subject to change.

ALIVE! strives to provide nutritious foods through direct distribution to our clients and by supporting Alexandria’s food pantries, meal kitchens, public schools, recreation centers, and other community partners.

To get a PDF of the entire month’s calendar of ALIVE! food distribution click the hyperlink below. Calendar subject to change.

ALIVE! Food Distribution Calendar (March 2022)

Weekend Food Distribution:
ALIVE! distributes bags of food (groceries, produce, chicken, eggs, bread) at 3 sites one Saturday per month in the parking lot at each site. ALIVE! food distributions are for City of Alexandria residents. No ID required.

Saturday, March 26 from 8:30AM – 10:30AM
Drive-through:

  • Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
  • NVCC Alexandria Campus (parking lot B-1 via 500 Dawes Ave)

Walk-up:

  • Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave)
  • William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave)

Pop-Up Food Distributions:

ALIVE! provides bags of food to specific neighborhoods and apartment buildings, in collaboration with our community partners, in the parking lot at each pop-up location. Drive-through and walk-up service available depending on site.

Thursday, March 10 from 4:30 – 6:00 PM
William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave.)

Friday, March 18 from 10:30 – 12:00 PM
Old Town Community Church (212 S. Washington St.)

Saturday, March 19 from 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King St.)

Saturday, March 19 from 10:00 – 12:00 PM
UNCUT Youth (1501 Cameron St.)