"What Would You Do with $100?"

“What would you do with $100?”

When asked this question at his Belle View Elementary School, seven-year-old Steve Guch of Alexandria said he would “give all of the money to charity." His father was so impressed by his answer that he gave his son $100 and offered to match the donation. Steve decided to give the money to United Community Ministries (UCM) for families and children in need.

Pictured at UCM dropping off their donations on March 4 are (from left) proud dad Ian Guch with son Steve, and Herb Lea, UCM Director of Business Operations.

“We are grateful for and inspired by young Steve’s support!” says Nichelle A. Mitchem, UCM Executive Director. “Because of the generosity of community partners and donors like the Guch family, UCM is able to actively work to ensure a brighter economic future for vulnerable children, youth, and families in our community. Together, we are changing lives.

“The more caring people who join UCM at the heart of community – like young Steve and his family – means the more people in need we can serve and help move forward. Your support for UCM is a sound social and financial investment that helps people become self-reliant members of our community. And every life changed strengthens our entire community.”

United Community Ministries (UCM) mobilizes the power of community to equip, educate, and empower people to measurably improve their lives. For the past 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 counseling, food, financial aid, and referrals to other resources.

Children’s Programs. UCM provides the next generation with essential education and enriching experiences, including full-day early care and learning, new parent education, and after-school programs for youth leadership development and computer access.

Workforce Development. UCM helps adults increase their employability with job counseling and computer training and with ESL and citizenship classes.

In Fiscal Year 2015, thanks to generous community support, UCM provided life-changing assistance to 10,200 individuals in 4,000 families in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County. This included 5,000 children – more than any other private nonprofit agency in the Huntington-Mount
Vernon area. Learn how you can help at www.ucmagency.org.