Category Archives: Life Skills

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Go Big or Go Home!

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Jane Collins

  Most college students go home during their short fall break, but not the Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) business fraternity members from the University of Toledo. Thirty-nine of them, nearly two thirds of the entire fraternity, had signed up for … Continue reading →

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Jubilee Jobs

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Jane Collins

If you’ve ever searched for a job, you know how important it is to own computer. Imagine how difficult it would be to find work if you didn’t have one. Now imagine trying to find a job if you didn’t … Continue reading →

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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

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 →

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A-SPAN: Homeless Soccermania and More

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Jane Collins

I took a soccer class in college nearly, well, never mind, but it was before soccer really caught on in the United states.  I was terrible then and I am terrible now.  And I know I’m terrible now because my … Continue reading →

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Jailhouse Art

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Jane Collins

Three things I never knew about jails: 1. They need volunteers to do lots of interesting things 2. Jail is not the same as prison 3. Some inmates are incredibly artistic I discovered these factoids last week at the Alexandria … 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

Computer C.O.R.E. – Core Competencies

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

Computer C.O.R.E.’s graduating class of June, 2010 JOB WANTED: Master’s degree in economics from prestigious university. Hard working.  Ambitious. Motivated.  Prior government experience. Given the current high unemployment rate, a “job wanted” ad written by someone that qualified is not … Continue reading →

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Empowered Women International – The Artist’s Way

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

Volunteer Dianna Lorenz (left) advises Nadia Janjua on how to start her nonprofit for Muslim women. Do you remember that personality quiz where you walk into an imaginary cocktail party and there are six groups of people?  One group is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Culture, Education, International, Job Preparation, Life Skills, People, The Arts, Women, Women Empowerment | Leave a comment

Friends of Guest House – Be the Cred

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

Friends of Guest House exec director Kari Galloway (right) hugs a house resident who shared her story at a fundraiser. Deborah H. lives at Friends of Guest House (FOGH), a 1920’s vinyl-sided house in the Del Ray part of Alexandria.  … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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