Nonprofit Helps Route 1 Corridor Families During Pandemic
HYBLA VALLEY, VA — United Community, a nonprofit helping disadvantaged residents in Fairfax County's Route 1 corridor, is finding ways to reach individuals during the pandemic.
United Community's service area covers the ZIP codes 22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, and east of Telegraph Road in 22303 and 22310. One of its key programs is Stepping Stones, which provides essential services such as food assistance, rent and utilities assistance and medical and dental assistance. All programs but emergency food assistance were initially suspended during the start of the coronavirus crisis. On May 5 when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors allowed United Community to distribute $2.3 million in federal CARES Act funding for rent, mortgage, utility and prescription assistance.
The nonprofit's food pantry is run at its 7511 Fordson Road headquarters. Since February, the nonprofit reports a 500 percent increase of families coming to the food pantry. Many families who visit the food pantry may come at least twice a month.
"Close to 750 families visited our food pantry during the month of April," said Cajethan Ekeagwu, director of Stepping Stones at United Community. "That’s more than we served during the entire months of February and March, combined."
Available items at the food pantry include non-perishable food, fresh produce, perishable foods, and diapers. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Individuals are asked to bring proof of address or photo ID.
The nonprofit also launched two mobile food distribution sites to reach families who may not be able to visit the 7511 Fordson Road food pantry. Non-perishable food distribution will take place on Thursdays starting in the Audubon Community, 7930 Audubon Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
United Community's Progreso Center has adjusted to the pandemic. The center provides ESL and citizenship classes for the immigrant community as well as legal services for those applying for citizenship. Since the pandemic began, ESL and citizenship classes are offered through Zoom video conferencing, and appointments for legal services are available.
The Opportunity Neighborhood Mount Vernon's youth programming and group activities at community centers and schools have been suspended. Staff are communicating with participating community groups remotely. The Early Learning Center at Bryant Alternative High School has been closed since March 13 due to the school district's closure.
United Community says two neighborhoods it serves, Hybla Valley and Woodlawn, are in a few of the top ZIP codes for cases in Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Health's May 20 data, the 22306 ZIP code covering Hybla Valley and Groveton has 520 cases among 1,367 tests. That translates to a 38 percent positive rate. The 22309 ZIP code covering Mount Vernon has 397 cases among 1,117 tests, representing a 35.5 percent positive rate. The rate of cases in 22306 is 1,608.6 per 100,000 people, the fifth highest rate in Fairfax County. In 22309, the 1,195 per 100,000 rate is the ninth highest in the county.
Residents can help United Community's efforts by donating to its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. Additional resources for residents in need are listed at www.unitedcommunity.org/covid19-resources.
This article originally appeared on the Greater Alexandria Patch
