Category Archives: Kids

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 →

Posted in Adults, Children, Homelessness, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Mentoring, People | 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

What will you do on 9/11?

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Jane Collins

Ten years ago I was a lieutenant colonel with the Air Force Reserve and had just completed ten months of military graduate school at the Air Force’s Air War College (AWC). Our class of 265 senior officers from all branches … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Kids, Military, Military and Veterans, People | 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 →

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

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 →

Posted in Animals, Children, Kids, People | 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 →

Posted in Children, Education, In the Neighborhood, Kids, Literacy, People | Leave a comment

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

Ronald McDonald House – The Ultimate Comfort Food

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jane Collins

This volunteer made tuna casserole, salad and peas for the Ronald McDonald House guests. Sometimes a homemade meal is the best part – and the only best part – of the day for them. Definition of horrible – your two-year-old … Continue reading →

Posted in Adults, Children, Kids | Leave a comment