Spring 2016

United Community Ministries
Community Connections
At the Heart of Community
UCMAGENCY.ORG
MISSION
UCM mobilizes
the power of
community to
equip, educate,
and empower
people to
measurably
improve their lives.
VISION
No member
of the UCM
community will
ever be hungry,
homeless, helpless
or hopeless.
Janet Heddesheimer
Vice Chair
Joseph Conti
Treasurer
David Barbour
Secretary
Abigail Arms
Diane Brooks
Suzy Coffey
Claudia Creo
Kenneth Disselkoen
Moira Flanders
Zeyad Mady
Andrew Reinsdorf
Martin
Schaefermeier
James F. Seeley
Leah Tenorio
Nichelle A. Mitchem
Executive Director
2 01 6
“Thank You for Believing in Me”
"Coming to the UCM Center every day after school has taught me to
have a better outlook on things, on my self respect, and most important,
to believe in myself, to be my own star in the story of my life. I am now
on the right track, with a new appreciation for my teachers and for my
peers.” - Sophomore Deneisha, UCM Creekside Village Community
Center participant and honor student at West Potomac High School.
The success of Deneisha and so many teens like her starts with you.
With the support of caring community members like you, UCM brings
opportunity, hope, and a brighter future to children and youth in our
Volunteer mentor Kathy
Mount Vernon community. From birth through high school
Lehner and teen Deneisha
shared her inspiring story
graduation, our programs provide youth with enrichment experiat the UCM Spring Gala.
ences and opportunities for them to reach new heights.
Your support gives our next generation a fighting chance to create a
better life for themselves, through these programs.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Charles O’Connor
Chair
S p r i ng
UCM Youth Tutor
Annette Thompson
(left) with Deborah
Finley, Creekside
Community Center
Supervisor.
Healthy Families Fairfax: Guiding and supporting new parents.
UCM Early Learning Center: Ages 6 weeks to 5 years for early.
care and learning, and kindergarten readiness.
Forward Steps: Teaching leadership skills for a diverse world.
Computer Learning Center Partnership: Ensuring computer access
and digital literacy.
We have many ways you can help our children, including organizing
book or healthy snack collection drives; volunteering in our after-school
programs; and making financial donations for enrichment activies.
We invite you to join us at a UCM Coffee for Children, for a community conversation to
learn about our kids' programs directly from our program staff and see the impact of your
support. For upcoming dates or to host a session at your location, contact Susan Johnson
at susan.johnson@ucmagency.org or 571.255.8992.
Glitz, Glamour & Giving at Viva Las Vegas Gala
Thanks to our hosts The
Friends of UCM, hundreds
of community members
enjoyed a glamorous evening at the UCM Spring
Gala on April 2, raising
more than $188,000.
Director. “We are grateful
for all their enthusiasm,
energy, and creativity.
They inspire us with their
compassion and ‘can do’
spirit. Special thanks go to
Suzy Coffey, Friends
Guests enjoyed live Casino table
President, and to the
games, live and silent auctions,
“The Friends of UCM are all
and gourmet dinner at the US PTO.
gala co-chairs for their
volunteers with amazing
amazing success.”
dedication and such tireless
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 /
Alexandria Old Town for the
363 pounds and more than $900
collected at their spring UCM
Food Drive to help stock our Pantry.
Realtors are the heart of our community!
Most weeks, our Family
Support Workers make
home visits to parents
enrolled in our UCM
Healthy Families Fairfax
program. But once a
quarter, the families
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 counselor 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 lowincome adults, families, and children gain access to physical and
behavioral health-related services.
Waynewood Elementary
School has raised more
than $7,000 this year for
UCM, including $1,400 as
proceeds from the Staff
Basketball Game with
Stratford Landing.
Waynewood Principal
James Meier accepted our
certificate of appreciation
on behalf of the school.
“All of us at UCM appreciate the care, counseling, and support
Arleen selflessly provided to hundreds of UCM clients over
more than 15 years of volunteer service,” says Richard
Dobber, UCM Director of Social Services. “Her efforts
improved the quality of life for so many of our most
vulnerable residents. Her impact will be felt for generations.”
UCM has provided vital services to vulnerable children, youth, and families for more than
47 years. Just as important is planning for the work that still needs to be done. Including
UCM in your will or estate planning leaves a legacy that transforms lives for generations .
Friends of UCM Events Raise $278K+ in FY16
(cont. from page 1)
We extend a huge thank you to
Spring Gala Co-Chairs (l to r)
Colleen Haddow, Meg Galanty,
and Donna Jarvis-Miller.
Sheldon Richman accepts a
plaque at UCM Gala, in
honor of his wife’s legacy.
“This year, UCM is putting
a special emphasis on our
programs that help adults
obtain gainful employment
for their families,” said
UCM Board Chair Charles
O’Connor. “Support for
UCM is a sound social and
financial investment that
helps people become selfreliant members of our
community.”
The other annual signature
event hosted by The
Friends of UCM is our
Capitol Steps
Benefit Performance, now held in
November at the
US Patent &
Trademark Office
in Old Town.
Thanks to many
generous sponsors and guests, the Nov.
8, 2015, event raised more
than $90,000+ to ensure
that people have UCM as
a caring place to turn in
their time of need. The
next Capitol Steps Benefit
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS-SPRING 2016
is set for Nov. 13, 2016.
Would you like to learn
more about The Friends of
UCM and how you can get
involved? Contact Friend
of UCM Judy Cahill at
jcahill8252@gmail.com.
PAGE
3
Volunteers are the Heart of Community!
Every April, we celebrate National Volunteer Month to honor our amazing
volunteers. We depend on their generosity every month, all year long, to
help our clients succeed.
UCM volunteers were invited to our 2016 Volunteer Recognition Event
on the morning of April 16. All long-term UCM volunteers received
certificates of appreciation. “The hard work and donations of time and
talent by our hundreds of volunteers make our work possible,” said
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 service managing the UCM loading dock at our main Fordson Road
At the April 8 Volunteer Fairfax Awards
Breakfast are (l to r) UCM nominees
Joseph Conti (UCM Board Treasurer),
Diane Tollefson (former Board Director),
and Nancy Hegland and son Kenny,
with UCM leaders Elizabeth
McNally and Nichelle Mitchem.
location. Together, their volunteer service totaled 2,472 hours.
Accenture Interview Workshop with UCM Clients
The UCM Workforce
Development Center
hosts many special
hands-on workshops
and trainings for job
seekers. This spring, a
group from Accenture
Federal
Services (Rosslyn office)
partnered with us for a free
“Boost your Job
Search” workshop.
“We are grateful for this
collaboration with Accenture
Federal’s consultants,” said
Tami Hunt, UCM Assistant
Director for Literacy and
Work. “Mike Manion and his
team of consultants were so
helpful.”
Diagnostic feedback was
provided so participants
could create and then deliver
their “elevator statements.
“I got job-related information,
given from an interviewer’s
perspective,” said one job
seeker. Clients were also
assisted with developing
"smart responses" to
interview questions.
"My job counselor had said similar things,” said one client with
an accounting career. “Today
helped me see things more
clearly. I have a solid understanding and the confidence to
be prepared for my interviews.”
“He took a lot
of time to
work with me
and explain
ways to make
my resume so
much more
effective. Now
I'm excited to
apply for jobs
with my new
resume.”
- 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
PE teacher Mr. Jones. "Taco Tuesday" was about healthy eating at school and home. Children helped
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
"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.
Volunteer Valerie Ciardi
assists a preschooler
with a building activity.
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
info@ucmagency.org
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
Special Event Sponsors!
Please join us in gratefully acknowledging our
Friends of UCM FY2016 Special Event Sponsors:
DIAMOND SPONSOR
DIRECTV
Doug & Eileen Kennett
Elaine Kolish and David FitzGerald
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Abigail Arms and Paul Dubberly
Fairfax County Professional Firefighters &
Paramedics IAFF. Local 2068
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Charles & Linda O’Connor
Time Warner Cable
CFC #37839
United Way #8199
Save These Dates!
Back to School 2016
Due Date: Late July/ early August
We’re already organizing to outfit 1,000+
students with backpacks and the supplies
they‘ll need for the Fall 2016 school year.
We need your help with new backpacks
and financial donations so we can
purchase supplies with our deep
discounts. If your family or group would
like to donate or organize a Back to
School drive this summer or volunteer to help out
email Emily Griffin at emily.griffin@ucmagency.org.
Capitol Steps
Benefit for UCM
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016
GOLD SPONSORS
Claudia Creo; Inova Health System; Tom & Kathy
Lehner; Zeyad Mady, DDS; Drs. James & Melissa
Thiel; Vogelman, Turner & Wright, PC
Complete lists of all sponsors and auction donors
are on our website. Thank you one and all!
Always a sell out crowd! Join us at the US PTO in
Old Town on the Sunday after the Presidential
Election to enjoy the latest political satire! Tickets
will go on sale this Fall at ucmagency.org. For
further information or to reserve your event
sponsorship, email info@ucmagency.org.
Your generosity helps community members in need build brighter futures. Thank you!