Words of Gratitude from a Client
With love, respect and thanks to you, dear people. Now I am in an apartment that Ms. Mesha (DCHS employee, shown far left), worked hard to provide for me.
I think about when she was driving long distances in winter, for me. Did the other drivers know that an angel has come down from heaven and is beside them? She drove with a heart full of love, a car full of belongings, none of which belonged to her. She took the trouble just to make the other human being, who was me, live better. She worked to show the true meaning of humanity.
Now, millions of people in the world are looking for a cardboard box with a place to sleep in this winter. Finally, I could rest, from her efforts, in a warm apartment and a soft bed.
I am writing my gratitude for all the goodness of all the employees, especially dear Mesha. Admirable, responsible, honest, kind, enduring, praiseworthy spirits… I came from a place where I could only see pain, oppression and violence. So, it is not in vain that my tears flow with all the goodness that I see from all of you. Thank you so much to your parents, teachers and this society that that creates human beings with sympathy and strength.
-Former City of Alexandria Resident (shown right), excerpt from a letter to Mark McHugh, Assistant to Mayor Wilson
Devoted & Courageous Mother and Son
When my son and I came to Alexandria in 2017 after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, DCHS caseworkers received us with a warm welcome, helping us set up the support we needed for my son with Down’s Syndrome and coordinating for him to go to pre-school.
Time passed, and we continued with my son’s services and evaluations. COVID started and we needed equipment so he could learn from home. There was DCHS, helping me through these processes. We are so grateful for all your help and your understanding of our goals. As a single mom, I can help my child grow to be an independent person within his limits.
The quality of employees in DCHS is amazing and you are always there in hard times. My son is a young kid now and he is more independent than before. He can communicate more verbally, too! We love you guys!
Ivette and Ian worked with DCHS employees Juliette Milushev, Eva Statler and Ashley Jones.
Client and DCHS Employee Quotes
Racial Equity Core Team (RECT) Employee Training "I want to commend all of you for the fantastic work you are doing with the Equity trainings. It is impressive…especially in light of my coming from another local government agency. In comparison, it is like night and day…You’ve set a standard that others should be encouraged to follow. Thank all of you so much for being engaged in this important work." - DCHS Employee to RECT
Youth Peer Advisor Program “Being a peer advocate has helped me tremendously in improving my public speaking skills and social skills. I feel like I have been able to connect with my peers and the community on a personal level and help educate them on important matters.” – Alayit Berhanu, Grade 12, Alexandria City High School
Youth Peer Advocate Program "Being a peer advocate is an amazing way to get involved in the community. I’ve grown up in Alexandria and through peer advocacy I’ve found out about opportunities I wouldn’t have found out otherwise.” - Amel Mohdali, 12th grade, Alexandria City High School
A Change in Perspective
Being a peer advisor has been a huge learning experience for me. Though I have only been a peer advisor for a little under 2 years I have learned so many new things about colleges, history and Black history, I have improved my leadership skills, improved my group facilitation skills, and It has taught me how to work with different people in groups and be a team player, It has given me a different perspective on learning as I have gotten the chance to learn from the teacher's perspective, having taught over 200 on important life skills, I have gotten to meet so many different children and other peer advisors with all kinds of different personalities and drives and ambitions. The peer advisory program helped me develop more social skills and become more academically focused. I am now a senior in Alexandria City High School ready for the next phase of my life.
- Khalil Coates, Grade 12, Alexandria City High School
Practice What You Preach
Being a peer advisor for the last nine months has helped me to be more self-aware, increase my leadership skills, and most importantly, the program has given me a perfect opportunity to network with others and get myself out there. I have been able to mentor over 200 kids through this program, and I also learned from the lesson plans and the lessons I was teaching. Lastly, I have been able to tell my peers about how life-changing this program is and even got some of them to see for themselves by volunteering.
- Jamiya Gray, Grade 11, Alexandria City High School