United Community

Progreso Center for Literacy and Citizenship empowers immigrants through education, citizenship classes, immigration legal services, and connection with social support networks. Progreso offers four levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes from beginner to advanced, a direct path to U.S. citizenship to prepare for the test and interview, and legal support at little or no cost. Highlights in a FY21 include: 1) 177 adult learners improved their basic English skills; 2) 41 individuals were provided with immigration assistance through preparation courses for the US Citizenship Exam, and assisted with completion of the application; and 3) 92 received immigration assistance to include naturalization/citizenship, translation completion/filing adjustments of status, green card applications, family petitions, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) assistance for victims of domestic violence, U-Visa for victims of crime, Visa and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

United Community's Early Learning Center, (ELC), provides high-quality childhood education in Fairfax County, VA. For over 30 years, we have created positive classroom experiences that naturally stimulate children's curiosity and holistically foster their development. Our center serves ages 6 weeks to 5 years old and strictly follows CDC guidelines for health and safety. ELC is a Virginia Quality Certified childcare center that is dedicated to providing curriculum-based childhood education to promote the social and emotional development of every child. In addition to providing quality childcare, we also participate in the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) which provides unique services such as Free Vision, Dental, and Medical Screenings for each child. Our tuition is all inclusive, covering meals, snacks, activities, field trips and more! For more information go to our website at https://earlylearningctr.org/

The SPARKS program engages children and youth in positive emotional/social and academic learning through lively, interactive, and creative activities to support individual growth through out-of-school time programming at Creekside Village and Sacramento Neighborhood Community Centers. Healthy snacks and two hot meals are provided daily. Activities include STEAM focused learning, dance, music, art, tutoring, groups discussions, field trips, coding, gardening, sports and mentoring. Parents participate in family fun enrichment events and other activities to support their child's success. In FY21, 85 youth attended SPARKS afterschool enrichment and summer camps.

Healthy Families Fairfax (HFF) program is an intensive, evidence-based home visitation program that prevents child abuse and neglect in high-risk families. Through HFF, parents receive home-based parenting education, health information, community support and school readiness from pregnancy until the child reaches age three. Our data shows, that families that graduate from the HFF have healthier children and better parent-child interactions. In FY21, there were no reports of founded child abuse or neglect for all of the 114 families enrolled in our program. Other accomplishments measured were: (1) 96.8% of babies were born at a healthy weight; 85% of the children received their immunizations as recommended and 100% of families showed an acceptable level of positive parenting.

Partnering with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, United Community operates two community centers dedicated to serving and empowering residents by meeting basic needs, providing resources and connections, and facilitating youth and family programs. These are places where residents of all ages connect with their neighbors, access computer labs, create opportunities for education and support, and make changes that strengthen the community where they live.

Opportunity Neighborhoods (ON) is the county-wide organizing framework for residents, community-based partners, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, and other supporters to work together to deliver needed resources that are equitable, accessible, and effective for vulnerable youth and their families. Partners within the scope of the neighborhood work together to identify community needs and develop two-generation solutions. Opportunity Neighborhood Mount Vernon (ONMV), led by United Community, includes schools, partners, families and children within the boundaries of Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School, Woodlawn Elementary School, Walt Whitman Middle School, and Mount Vernon High School. Five focal areas support: 1) an inclusive and connected community; 2) connected and motivated youth; 3) school readiness & early childhood education; 4) wellness and family stability; 5) workforce readiness, student career preparedness, and family literacy.

Community Schools offers an effective level of service provision and a better understanding of service gaps that exist and better support students and families with a more unified, comprehensive approach. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Each Community School has a Community School Coordinator who helps existing school staff meet the needs of students and families by leveraging resources and building sustainable partnerships. United Community works in two schools Walt Whitman Middle School and Mount Vernon Woods Elementary. In FY21, combined outcomes included: 1) 350 families per month visit the schools' Farmers Markets; 2) 120 students received weekly weekend backpacks; 3) 90 parents attended Parents Wisely groups; and, 4) 298 children and parents received COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters during Health Clinics.

COMMUN1TY+ is a collective impact initiative led by the support of community members, a broad coalition of organizations, and county agencies who come together around addressing the structural barriers facing communities of color in the Buckman Loop area of Alexandria, VA. United Community serves as the backbone agency providing infrastructure support to this resident driven movement. Shaped by the community's self-identified priority issues, five multi-stakeholder working groups focus on: Health, Child and Youth Well-Being, Safety, Neighborhood Livability, and Economic Opportunity. COMMUN1TY+ empowers community members with the leadership and facilitation skills to actively steer and contribute to these working groups. Convening all perspectives of the community's ecosystem, we work to explicitly address the systemic and structural barriers to racial and health equity in these neighborhoods. In FY21, 9,000+ community members joined in events to address equitable COVID response needs.

The Family Achievement Program (FAP) is designed to assist families in reaching their goals of self-sufficiency and independence. Families are connected with a FAP Coach who works one-on-one with families to identify and achieve their personal financial, educational, and professional goals. Together with a network of local community-based organizations and county agencies, FAP connects families with the resources and opportunities they need to reach their goals. FAP program services include: crisis intervention; childcare assistance; financial assistance; and employment assistance. FAP also offers paid apprenticeships to qualified participants. Achievement is formally measured every six months with the families to evaluate progress. The program began in May 2021 and out of 45 families served, 66% showed progress in two or more domains towards self-sufficiency, 100% participate in budget and financial planning and four individuals have participated in the paid apprenticeships.