In today's news, save your seat, table, and/or sponsorship for Spirit of Community, congratulate Christy Cole on her "dream job" promotion, watch and share the new Arlington living wages video, and dive deeper on Poverty and the Myth of the American Dream with Anne Vor der Bruegge.

Tickets and sponsorships are now available for the 31st annual Spirit of Community Awards and Luncheon on Friday, November 15th. With over 400 community-focused Arlingtonians in attendance every year, this event is an excellent opportunity to "be in the room" with a dynamic crowd by saving a seat, saving a table, and if you really want to make your mark, securing a sponsorship opportunity.

If you have any questions about Spirit of Community or sponsorships, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Over 22 years of service, Christy has gained a perspective on Arlington (and its challenges) that should be motivating to anyone who lives and works here. “These challenges are not unique to Arlington,” she says, “but Arlington is uniquely positioned to respond to them."

Coincidentally enough, when Christy and her husband moved to Arlington over two decades ago, she "thought it would be a stop on the way." But back then, and through these 22 years, Christy has continued to be moved by - and dedicated to - the sense of community found here. Get to know Christy in this new feature, and join us in wishing her a well-deserved "congratulations!" on her new role as Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer!

With the release of the 2024 Arlington poverty and living wages data, we're reminded once again how much work there is to be done to ensure that everyone has the opportunities and support to call Arlington home. 

As you'll see in this new video (also on Facebook and Instagram), an Arlington worker with a partner watching two children at home must make at least $47.44/hour with full-time hours to survive here. For many of our essential workers, that's more than double their hourly earnings (and most are not full-time).

In many cases, even as low-income workers increase their wages, they end up making less overall (watch the Benefits Cliff video to see why). These workers, these families, and so many others, are essential to Arlington, and it is essential they are able to live and thrive here. Click here or the button below to see what's being done to build an Arlington for everyone.

Led by Arlington Community Foundation's recently-retired Director of Grants and Initiatives, Anne Vor der Bruegge, this course will examine economic disparities in Arlington and the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) region, along with policies and systems that perpetuate poverty. The course will start with data on Arlington, differences based on neighborhoods and demographics, and how lack of truly affordable housing, childcare and living wages affect the overall health of our community. 

Those in the course will also look at myths and stereotypes about low-income people versus actual data. Guest speakers will describe the local safety net, lessons learned during the pandemic, and promising strategies to change systems and structures to allow for increases in income, self-determination and belonging for our lowest-income neighbors. Click here or the button below to learn more, and to register for the hybrid 5-week course with both in-person and virtual options.

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