Resources

Highlights of new and existing resources to support individuals and families...
Page updated on February 22, 2024 at 1:07 AM
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February 15, 2024: Here are highlights of new and existing resources to support individuals and families. We encourage residents, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations to share these resources with their neighbors and networks.  

Hear about and share the latest resources and news by following DCHS on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to the Spanish Language Text Line by texting ALEXINFOESP to 888777. Subscribe to City eNews at  alexandriava.gov/eNews. Visit us online at www.alexandriava.gov/DCHS.   

Winter Shelter   

The City of Alexandria Winter Shelter, also called Hypothermia Shelter, ensures that individuals and families experiencing homelessness have a warm, clean and safe environment to retreat from the elements of weather at night. The Winter Shelter, operated by Carpenter's Shelter, is open nightly from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. regardless of weather from November 1-April 15. In cases of inclement weather conditions, families and single individuals may be able to access the Winter Shelter before 7 p.m. Contact the shelter for more information. The Winter Shelter also provides supportive services and resources necessary to assist residents in obtaining stable housing.    

The shelter is located at 2355-A Mill Road. Learn more  and obtain transportation details.  

Carpenter's Shelter   
930 N Henry St.   
Alexandria, VA 22314   
571.652.9984   

The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force   

The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force is a space where LGBTQ+ people and allies gather quarterly to network, share ideas, and plan training and community events. The goal of the Task Force is to create safe and inclusive service provision to LGBTQ+ people in the City of Alexandria. For more information and to join as a community member and/or service provider, please contact members of the Leadership Team and/or the staff facilitator, Erika Callaway Kleiner (she/her), at Erika.Kleiner@alexandriava.gov.   

LGBTQ+ Parent Support Group   

This support group is for Virginia Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Children and Youth and is free, online, confidential and weekly on Fridays from 12-1 p.m. Join if you want to learn more about how to support your child and yourself, while connecting with other parents. Please email vaparentsoflgbtqyouth@gmail.com for more information and/or to complete a screening.   

Sexual Assault Support Groups  

The Sexual Assault Center is sponsors virtual support groups for adult sexual assault survivors. Intake is required. Non gender specific. For more information about upcoming groups, contact Gloria Saez at Gloria.Saez@alexandriava.gov or call 703.850.9426.  

Resources for Youth 

The Alexandria Safe Place   
This network of sites and resources is sustained by qualified agencies, trained volunteers, and businesses to provide 24-hour access to immediate help and support for all young people in crisis. Learn more and access a list of Safe Space locations or call the Alexandria Safe Place Office at 703.746.5400.  

Resource Directory for Alexandria Youth and Young Adults   
These resources have been compiled to increase awareness of and access to the many programs and services provided by City, non-profit, and community organizations for Alexandria youth. It includes health services, social services, employment programs, college and career supports, and out-of-school time opportunities. Visit the directory.  

Alexandria Teen Text Line  
Text TEEN, SEX, DRUGS, or GANGS to 571.640.2898 to get answers to non-urgent questions about health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Parents may also inquire with questions about their teens. To report an emergency, please call 911.  

Housing  
 

Housing and Eviction Prevention Assistance   
For information on the resources, programs, and services provided by the City of Alexandria Office of Housing, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/Housing.  

 Access eviction prevention assistance through the Office of Housing and DCHS. Learn more.    

Community IT Help Desk    

The City of Alexandria partners with Computer Core to operate an IT Help desk for anyone in the community to call for support in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. The program also provides equipment, including laptops, to those in need. For information and support, visit: computercore.org/help-desk/.   

Jobs, Workshops and Skills Training     

See featured jobs, compiled and released by the Workforce Development Center. Follow WDC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn for the latest or visit the WDC’s job board for a complete list of job opportunities.     

Free Workshops and Training  

Access free WDC job readiness and career development workshops — including interviewing skills, navigating the virtual job fair, transferable skills, one-on-one job coaching, networking and more — and over 5,000 SkillUp online skills training courses. Select WDC workshops are also available in Spanish.     

Food Distribution and Pop-ups    

For information about a variety of food assistance programs, visit the DCHS  Food Directory.   

ALIVE! services include Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership, ALIVE! House, Family Assistance, Food, Furniture, and Housewares. Learn more.   

Food Hubs
ALIVE! Food Hubs offer free food, personal items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, and referrals to other services. ALIVE! Food Hubs are for City of Alexandria residents. Proof of Alexandria residency may be requested. Please note that the ALIVE! Food Hubs will be closed on January 27.  

Food Hub at 510-F South Van Dorn St.   

  • Tuesdays 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed 2–3 p.m.)   

  • Wednesdays 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed 2–3 p.m.)   

  • Thursdays 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed 2–3 p.m.)   

  • Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.   

Food Hub at 2601 Mount Vernon Avenue   

  • Tuesdays 12–6 p.m. (Closed 2–3 p.m.)   

  • Wednesdays 12–6 p.m. (Closed 2–3 p.m.)   

  • Thursdays 12–6 p.m. (Closed 2–3 p.m.)   

  • Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.   

Last Saturday Food Distributions  
ALIVE! distributes free bags of groceries (produce, chicken, eggs, bread) at multiple locations on the last Saturday of the month from 8:30–10:30 a.m. Please bring reusable bags. ALIVE! food distributions are for City of Alexandria residents. Proof of Alexandria City residency may be requested. 

Saturday, February 24, 8:30–10:30 a.m. 

Walk-up: 

• Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave) 

• William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave) 

Saturday, March 30, 8:30–10:30 a.m. 

Walk-up: 

• Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave) 

• William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave) 

Food Pantries in Alexandria  

• West End Food Pantry (5150 Fillmore Ave) 

Mondays, 5 –6:30 p.m. 

• Christ House Food Pantry (131 S. West St) 

Wednesdays – Thursdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 

• Meade Memorial Episcopal (322 N. Alfred St) 

Thursdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 

• Oakland Baptist Church (3408 King St) 

Fridays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 

• Ruby Tucker Family Center Food Pantry (322 Tancil Ct) 

Fridays, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. 

• Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church Food Pantry (317 N. Payne St) 

Saturdays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 

• CCDA Alexandria Food Pantry (4725A Eisenhower Ave) 

Wednesdays – Thursdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Please arrive by 12:30 p.m. 

Home Delivery Program  
ALIVE! delivers food Monday-Friday afternoons to the doorsteps of those who are unable to attend emergency food distributions. Home deliveries are available to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and single parents with very young children. Clients may receive once-monthly groceries: 3-5 days of shelf-stable food, meat, milk, fresh bread, eggs, and produce.  

To receive home delivery, you must be referred by DCHS at 703.746.5700, an ALIVE! member congregation, or another social service agency. For more information on home delivery, complete the Contact Us online form or call 703-549-3692.  

Personal Finance and Career Building Classes Update  

DCHS is hosting a series of personal finance and career building classes. All classes are free and will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are meant to help participants improve their financial life, manage budgets, improve income stability, advance monetary education, and reduce and eliminate debts. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, call 703.746.5700 or email brandon.hare@alexandriava.gov. View and download a printable flyer  to learn more about upcoming sessions. 

COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters Check    

Vaccines and boosters continue to be available. They are safe, effective, free and they can save your life. Walk-ins are highly encouraged, but appointments can also be scheduled online. For general questions, please contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703.746.4988, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. As part of Alexandria's commitment to serving all communities, clinics are hosted at a variety of times in conveniently located neighborhood locations and do not require ID, insurance, or English fluency. Access a schedule of locations and times.    

Reduced Transit Fare via "Metro Lift"    

Metro offers reduced fares to assist low-income customers via the 'Metro Lift' program. Customers in DC, Maryland and Virginia who qualify for the US Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) are eligible to enroll. Customers enrolled in Metro Lift will receive a 50 percent discount for any travel on Metrorail and Metrobus.    

Online enrollment and appointment scheduling is available at the WMATA website. In-person enrollment is available at three sites:    

  • Metro Center Metro Station | 12th & F Street NW Entrance - Mezzanine Level    

  • Metro Headquarters | 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024    

  • New Carrollton Metro Office | 4100 Garden City Dr, Hyattsville, MD 20785    

Learn more on the City’s  SNAP homepage.      

Senior Taxi Yellow Card Program    

The City offers a Senior Taxi Yellow Card Program which is operated in partnership with Yellow Cab of Alexandria, Inc. This program is available to individuals age 60 or older who live in the City of Alexandria and whose annual gross household income is $48,508 or below. Seniors can apply for the Senior Taxi Discount program by calling 703.746.5999.    

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