Mount Vernon Quilters Support UCM Families in Need

Members of the Mount Vernon chapter of Quilters Unlimited of Northern Virginia spent their summer crafting beautiful blankets and quilts to donate to vulnerable families and children at United Community Ministries (UCM). Pictured on September 2 at UCM for the delivery of more than 40 one-of-a-kind handmade items are (from left) Jeanne Farmer, chair of community service/charity projects, along with Dianne Tippins, chapter president for 2015/16. Read the press release at the UCM Newsroom.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of time and talent of caring community members like the Mount Vernon Quilters,” says Nichelle A. Mitchem, UCM Executive Director. “Each and every one of their quilts is uniquely beautiful – and each one will touch the hearts of a child and family who receives it, as they have already touched mine. Your generosity brings comfort and warmth and joy for not just the body, but also for the soul, of so many people in our community, as some of them go through challenging and difficult times. Thank you so much for making our families and children feel special.”

At-risk families in UCM’s Healthy Families Fairfax program receive donated quilts as they go through the multi-year program with their Family Support Workers who make home visits to teach positive parenting skills. Also receiving quilts are families in UCM’s transitional housing program, which currently includes 23 young children. These are vulnerable families fleeing domestic violence situations who benefit from services including intensive counseling, case management, and life skills, with the goal of healing and independent living. Family members become more secure in their ability to provide for themselves, and participate in school or the workplace to increase education and income for a better future.

The Mount Vernon Quilters meet Tuesdays at 12:30pm at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria, VA 22308. For more information about the group, visit www.quiltersunlimited.org/chapters/8/ or email MVQUpresident@gmail.com.

If you or your group would like to host a collection drive or other similar project for UCM families and children, contact Susan Johnson at susan.johnson@ucmagency.org of phone 5771.255.8992.

United Community Ministries (UCM) mobilizes the power of community to equip, educate, and empower people to measurably improve their lives. For more than 46 years, UCM has provided a vital connection between people in need and the people committed to helping them thrive. Services include:

• Immediate Help. For families and individuals in crisis, UCM provides food, financial aid, counseling, and referrals to other resources.
• Education and Employment. Services such as job training and coaching, full-day early care and learning, ESL and citizenship classes, and parental education help people achieve stability and self-reliance.
• Community Engagement. UCM’s neighborhood centers, with after-school programs and leadership training, engage youth and families in skill-building and broader social networks for success.

In Fiscal Year 2015, thanks to generous community support, UCM provided life-changing assistance in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County to 10,200 individuals in 4,000 families. For more information, visit www.ucmagency.org.