COMMUNITY LODGINGS INC

Volatile Economy + Low-Income Families

Act Now to Directly Impact More Than 100 Students & 40 Families 

Community Lodgings' mission is to lift families from homelessness and instability to independence and self-sufficiency through Transitional Housing, Affordable Housing, and Youth Education Programs. 

A volatile economy leads to instability and uncertainty for hard working, low-income families already living on the margins. Ninety-seven (97%) of the families we serve are working. Most work multiple jobs - yet, they cannot afford market rate rent, escalating food prices, healthcare, or other essential needs. 

That is where Community Lodgings steps in. We are one of a few local nonprofits in the City of Alexandria providing the full continuum of housing services.  Community Lodgings owns 45 apartment units, with 5 set aside specifically for Transitional Housing. Through our partnership with ALIVE!, Community Lodgings provides case management for 3 additional Transitional Housing families. 

How Community Lodgings helps: An unhoused, single parent or family can enter our two-year Transitional Housing Program, work closely with a budget mentor where they learn how to increase their savings, reduce expenses, manage their household and family obligations, and participate in parenting, as well as other workshops. After learning the tenets of self-sufficiency in the program, families graduate from the Transitional Housing Program and move into safe, permanent affordable housing. Community Lodgings is there when families take the first step. As families move into their next chapter, they carry life skills that will continue helping them live independently 

Real-life impact: Selia* and her family participated in our Transitional Housing Program and not only learned how to manage their household finances, they also saved $12,000 while in the program and used some of the money as a down payment to purchase a home for her and her family. That is astounding - especially when you consider that two years prior - Selia and her family were unhoused.

Community Lodgings staff and volunteers stand by families' side every step of the way providing supportive services and resources, restoring dignity, reinforcing concepts learned in the program, which ultimately strengthens families and changes their life trajectory in a positive way. Community Lodgings has been committed to providing vital programs, supportive services, and resources for Alexandria's most vulnerable families for nearly 38 years. We greatly appreciate all our partners and supporters who donate to Spring2ACTion. We partner with Alexandria City Public Schools Link Club daily as all our students are in 1st through 12th grades. Capital Area Food Bank provides meals and snacks for our structured after-school Youth Education Program.

Teachers, support aides, mentors, and our staff ensure students in our program receive additional time and attention necessary to further their education. For several years, we've partnered with The Spitfire Club and Little Friends of Peace weekly on reading, literacy, improving students' social-emotional health. We also partner with Aptivate Educational and Psychological Solutions, Virginia Tech's Drone Lab, Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, local houses of worship, and other organizations to expand access and available opportunities in our Youth Education Program, as we continue providing support to resident families especially during this critical time. 

With your support, we accomplished the following in FY2025: 

• 129 students were served in our Youth Education Program where they received academic support in a safe and healthy environment. 
• Our Transitional Housing Program provided shelter to five unhoused families who are working hard to attain permanent housing
• 9,393 hot meals and snacks were served to students, 100% of whom receive free breakfast and lunch at school and experience food insecurity regularly
• 3,001 bags of supplemental nutrition were distributed to food-insecure students through our weekly Weekender Program
• 547 hours of academic and social and emotional learning
• 126 people living in our Affordable Housing
• 59 students participated in our 6-week Summer Camp that focuses on preventing 'summer slide' and improving literacy, reading & comprehension skills, as well as math. Camp helps prepare students for the next grade level - some of whom were reading and doing the work of the next grade level before they officially started in that grade! 
• 4 high school seniors graduated One is on a full-scholarship to UVA and another student is also in college, one is working, one is in an apprenticeship program

Spring2ACTion celebrates ACT for Alexandria's commitment to advocacy and lifting the community's collective voice.  

Your support of Community Lodgings during Spring2ACTion is deeply appreciated and makes a positive impact on students and families living in Alexandria. 

*Name changed

Spring2ACTion Match Partners: $26,500