S4G

Four Local Nonprofits Receive Special Grants to Further Their Missions

By SHEILA MURPHY – Social 4 Good

Photo by FAITH BOETTGER

Summer is for taking a break from regular routines and enjoying a slower pace. For Social4Good (S4G), this summer was different. While on vacation in the month of July, they continued to do good by issuing grants to four local nonprofits. These grants were made possible due to the generosity of members who donate via a recurring donation each month. July donations totaled $2,300, and these funds went to support adults with disabilities, preschoolers, elementary school children, and the food insecure. 

S4G’s first grant provides cooking appliances and grocery gift cards to teach cooking life skills to clients of the Specially Adapted Resource Club (SPARC). SPARC provides adults with severe and multiple disabilities with enduring learning opportunities, social connections, and a rightful and meaningful place in our community. SPARC provides essential day programs for adults with disabilities at six locations in Northern Virginia, including McLean and Vienna. Attending SPARC is not only stimulating for the individual clients served, but it often allows family members to return to work knowing their loved one is getting human interaction in a safe environment. Learn more: https://sparcsolutions.org/.

All Ages Read Together (AART) received a grant to purchase books and classroom supplies. AART educates children in need with free preschool programs so they can enter school prepared to learn and succeed. AART’s free, part-time preschool programs are located in Alexandria, Centreville, Falls Church, Herndon, Leesburg, and Sterling. The program is specifically designed for children who fall in the gap between those who qualify for publicly funded programs and those families who cannot afford preschool. Learn more: https://allagesreadtogether.org/.

Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) is an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Herndon, VA, that provides free homework assistance, academic support, and enrichment to vulnerable youth. This after-school program operates weekday afternoons during school and targets elementary school-aged children. Each summer, Vecinos Unidos hosts a weeklong summer program for current students that gives them the opportunity to get a head start on learning for the upcoming school year and go on local field trips. S4G’s grant will allow for the purchase of summer books. Learn more: https://vecinosunidos.org/.

Rustic Love started as a one-time pandemic project and has grown into a Vienna-based nonprofit that brings the community together to help the food insecure. Rustic Love promotes philanthropy among children and families by creating volunteer opportunities to build wooden heart signs as a community fundraiser. Proceeds from the sales and generous donations from the community support organizations that help the food insecure, including school food pantries and other nonprofits that provide support services to those in need. To date, Rustic Love has raised more than $500,000 and dotted the Vienna community with 6,000+ heart signs. S4G will sponsor the creation of their beautiful mural to be located in the heart of downtown Vienna on Commonwealth Home Design’s building at 208 Dominion Rd. NE. Learn more: https://rusticlove.org/.