COMMUNITY LODGINGS INC

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Change the Economic Trajectory in One Generation

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.  

Daily, Community Lodgings addresses housing, education, and food insecurity. 97% of our families are working at least one job, and most work multiple jobs, and still cannot afford market rate rent, escalating prices for food, and the cost of healthcare, transportation, or basic necessities. That is where Community Lodgings steps in. The organization is unique in that we are one of the 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. These 45 units are housed in five apartment buildings in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. 

An example of our work is: An unhoused, single parent or family can enter our two-year Transitional Housing Program, work closely with a budget mentor for two years 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. As families graduate from the Transitional Housing Program, they are well prepared to move into safe, permanent Affordable Housing. By taking that first step, families find their footing and learn life skills that will help them become more independent. Real-life impact: Selia* and her family participated in our two-year Transitional Housing Program and not only learned how to manage their household finances, they also saved $12,000 in two years and used some of the money as a down payment on a home where she and her family are now living! That is astounding - especially when you consider that two years prior - Selia and her family were unhoused.  

Community Lodgings staff and volunteers are by the 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. Together, teachers, aides, mentors, and our staff ensure students receive the 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. Recently, we formed new alliances with Aptivate Educational and Psychological Solutions, Junior League of Northern Virginia, 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 tim

With the strong support of donors and supporters like you, together 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 students graduated high school: One is on a full-scholarship to UVA, one is working, one is in an apprenticeship, and one is in college as of this semester

Spring2ACTion is about celebrating the impact of our community's commitment to families in need. Together, we can make an impact for hardworking, economically marginalized families in our own backyard. There is much more to be done, and greater impacts to be made.

Your commitment to donating and fundraising on behalf of Community Lodgings during Spring2ACTion is deeply appreciated and will make a posi…