Category Archives: Children

Busting a Move with CityDance

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jane Collins

You have got to love a nonprofit that teaches dance, conflict resolution and self-esteem–and performs at the Verizon Center. When Sarah Levy, the CityDance Community Programs Coordinator, asked me to help out at a DREAM rehearsal–where nearly 150 3rd –5th … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Arts & Culture, Children, Education, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Life Skills, People, The Arts | Leave a comment

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (or anywhere)

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Jane Collins

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington ICON 11 Talent Showcase winners Question: What do District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Georgetown University Men’s Head Basketball Coach JohnThompson III and Roy Hibbert Jr. of the Indiana Pacers have … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Children, Homework Assistance, In the Neighborhood, Job Preparation, Kids, Life Skills, Mentoring, People | Leave a comment

Boys & Girls Clubs

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Jane Collins

The girls from the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic site of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington rock their handmade napkin rings.   Good news! The Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic site of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington (BGCGW) in Old … Continue reading →

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“A” for Effort with Higher Achievement

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Jane Collins

  Chana Rabiner needed a substitute mentor for the three fifth grade girls she tutors with Higher Achievement. When she emailed me the lesson plan, all preconceived notions of substitute teachers as babysitters dissolved. The lesson plan was detailed, structured … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Homework Assistance, Life Skills, People, Tutoring | Leave a comment

Welcome to the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s Class of 2012!

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Jane Collins

Hors d’oeuvre, wine and black-and-white clad waiters circulating among elegant guests are standard for most VIP receptions. Leave it to the Catalogue for Philanthropy to include inner city underserved boys, standing proudly and nervously next to their Life Pieces to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Culture, Children, Donating, The Arts | Leave a comment

Advocates for Good

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Jane Collins

SCAN Executive Director Sonia Quinonez, Jose Quinonez, Joyce Bliss, board member Jeff Bliss at the 2010 Toast to Hopes event.   Linda Franz was at a crossroads. Her daughter had graduated from college and her son was about to start. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Children, Family, In the Neighborhood, Kids | 1 Comment

Lorton Community Action Center

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Jane Collins

Some nonprofit projects are more complicated than others, yet even the simplest among them require the cooperation and teamwork of dozens of people. Take, for example, backpack assembly, a project of the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) and several other … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Donating, In the Neighborhood, Kids | Leave a comment

Community Lodgings

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Jane Collins

Not long ago I wrote a story about kids who read to puppies. When Community Lodgings asked me to help with Read Aloud, their reading program created for toddlers whose parents attended evening life skills classes, I was ready for … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Children, ESL, Homelessness, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Life Skills, Literacy, Mentoring, People | Leave a comment

Get Out and Give Back: A Zen Volunteer Morning with Borromeo Housing

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Jane Collins

  Normally volunteer work entails lots of activity, people, energy and more often than not, chaos. What a nice change of pace it was to help out in Borromeo Housing’s infant care supply center, established to support young mothers, where … Continue reading →

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People Animals Love

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Jane Collins

  My granddaughter Annabelle reads fearlessly to her baby dolls and stuffed animals. Surrounded by her silent and adoring audience, her storybooks propped up in her hands (sometimes upside down) she reads to them with confidence and ease. Click here … Continue reading →

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Beacon House’s Great Leap

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Jane Collins

  The email from Stacey Erd, Beacon House’s executive director, read like an order of battle. With precise start and end times, I was to read to kindergarteners, discuss self-esteem, careers and confidence with preteen girls, serve lunch, then help … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, In the Neighborhood, Life Skills, Mentoring, People, Tutoring | Leave a comment

The Reading Connection – Read On!

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Jane Collins

What’s not to love about a nonprofit that gives kids a book to read each week?  The Reading Connection does that, and more, and last week I found out just how much good can be done in one hour. The … Continue reading →

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Girls on the Run – Running for Greatness

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Jane Collins

When I retired from the United States Air Force in September of 2009, I was most excited about never, ever having to run again.  Running is part of the mililtary culture, and even though the Air Force only requires one timed 1.5 mile … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Humanity, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Life Skills, Mentoring, People, Women | 1 Comment

Discovery Riders – Horse Play

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

Love horses?  Therapeutic equestrian programs are all over the country and always need help.  These kids learn teamwork and cooperation by leading a horse through an obstacle course. Animals are so much more non-threatening that people.  I guess that’s why … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Children, Education, Homework Assistance, Life Skills, Mentoring | Leave a comment

PLTI – Don’t let the title fool you!

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

A recent PLTI class, who’s now making great changes in the community. Gotta admit, I had no idea what the Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria (PLTI) did.  Their website says their mission is “to enable parents to become leading … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Family, In the Neighborhood, Life Skills, Other | Leave a comment