Being a hero means not only responding in the first moments of crisis, but remaining steadfast in all the moments that come after. At NVFS, we are committed to being here for our neighbors today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes to recover from this crisis.

The first weeks of the crisis were filled with action—prepping, planning, reacting. Now we are in the middle of the fight, and this is where the hero in us must reach down and strengthen our resolve. We are heartened by your willingness to care for and support local families and children. Please stay safe and healthy.

As news of the coronavirus in Northern Virginia continues to unfold, we continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of our community. We are closely following the guidance of our local and state health departments as well as city and county governments across the region. At the same time, we are working on longer-term strategies and planning.

If you need assistance or know someones who does, please complete this form and upload the required documentation.

Si necesita ayuda o sabe de alguien que lo haga, por favor complete este formulario y adjunte la documentación requerida.

Thanks to a partnership with the Greater DC Diaper Bank, NVFS received 44,000 diapers to distribute to families across the region. On Day 1 of distribution, each family in our Healthy Families' programs received 100 diapers per child. The remaining diapers were delivered to the Hunger Resource Center at the SERVE Campus to be distributed over the next few months to families in need.

Local Girl Scout Troop 1969 discussed a few different ways to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic. They voted unanimously to decorate cards and donate delicious girl scout cookies to the families staying at the SERVE shelter. Thank you for brightening everyone's day and making the world a better place.

Baby Ashura and her family are currently enrolled in our Healthy Families program. Ashura was a preemie, but you wouldn't know it when you see her today. So far, she has met or exceeded all of her developmental milestones. And recently, mom sent us a video where Ashura took her first steps! It was an exciting moment for everyone.

The SERVE family shelter has helped eight families successfully move out of the shelter into permanent housing since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. One was a first-time home buyer. The staff hasn't missed a beat and there are five pending moveouts scheduled for May 1.

Your support helps fuel our COVID-19 emergency response, as well as ensures our staff can continue to serve our most vulnerable neighbors during this crisis. If you're able, please consider the following ways to help a neighbor in need.

• Purchase these high need items from our Amazon Wish List for a family in need. Currently, the SERVE shelter has a high need for no contact thermometers.
• Donate online to our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund or send a check to 10455 White Granite Drive, Suite 100, Oakton, VA, 22124.
• If you're able and not showing symptoms, consider helping a neighbor in need with a grocery delivery.

Or try one of our five virtual volunteering opportunities below.

1) DIY Protective Face Masks - In an effort to preserve commercial face masks for medical facilities, we're asking for home-made face masks for our staff who continue to deliver services to local families and for guests staying at our family shelter. Contact C'Asha Faltz for questions.

2) Virtual Story Time - Help younger children meet the recommended 15-20 minutes of daily reading by sharing a recording of you (or your family) reading a book out loud. The best videos will be posted to the NVFS YouTube Channel for children in our early childhood programs. Contact Navara Cannon for questions.

3) Movement Matters - Stay-at-home orders are tricky for energetic young bodies. You can help keep them moving. Experienced yoga instructors, dance teachers, personal trainers, and preschool and PE teachers are encouraged to record and submit kid-friendly activity videos to keep children moving throughout the day. The best videos will be posted to our YouTube Channel. Contact Navara Cannon for questions.

4) Homemade Summer Camp Kits  - You can help make summer special for children staying at the SERVE family shelter by creating summer camp in a bag! Assemble daily activity kits for children 5-12 years old. Contact Julie Martinez for questions.

5) Social Media Ambassador - Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Then repost or retweet our messages to your network of followers.

NVFS is very proud to partner with our longstanding volunteer and champion, Margery Leveen Sher, on her newest book, INDOMITABLE! Immigrants’ Stories of Perseverance and Resilience. Telling the stories of thirty-two current asylum-seekers and immigrants (many of whom were NVFS clients and staff) to our country, this book is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage people take to come to this country to flee prosecution, pursue love, career, and a better life.

NVFS will receive a portion of all book sales.