Resources

Highlights of new and existing resources to support individuals and families...
Page updated on July 5, 2023 at 2:21 PM
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RESOURCES

July 5, 2023:  Here are highlights of new and existing resources to support individuals and families. We encourage residents, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations to share these resources with their neighbors and networks. 

Hear about and share the latest resources and news by following DCHS on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to the Spanish Language Text Line by texting ALEXINFOESP to 888777. Subscribe to City eNews at alexandriava.gov/eNews. Visit us online at www.alexandriava.gov/DCHS. 

Summer Cooling and Electric Bill Assistance  

The Virginia Energy Cooling Assistance program helps pay for repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, is living with a disability, or is under age 6. Applications are being accepted now through August 16. Assistance is based on the availability of funds. Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from June 15 through August 16. Assistance is based on the availability of funds. Apply for this and other benefits online at CommonHelp or call 1.855.635.4370. For more information, call 703.746.5700. See information sheet for additional details. 

Eviction Prevention Assistance  

Access eviction prevention assistance through the Office of Housing and DCHS. Learn more.  

Community IT Help Desk  

The City of Alexandria has partnered with Computer Core to establish an IT Help desk for anyone in the community to call for support in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. The program also provides equipment, including laptops, to those in need. For information and support, visit: computercore.org/help-desk/. 

Personal Finance and Career Building Classes Update 

DCHS is hosting a series of personal finance and career building classes. All classes are free and will be held virtually on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are meant to help participants improve their financial life, manage budgets, improve income stability, advance monetary education, and reduce and eliminate debts. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, call 703.746.5700 or email brandon.hare@alexandriava.gov. View and download a printable flyer to learn more about upcoming sessions. 

Jobs, Workshops and Skills Training  

ALIVE! Food Distribution and Pop-ups  

Alexandria’s First Ever City-Wide Food Drive Starts July 4. The 16 collection sites for Volunteer Alexandria’s July City-Wide Canned Food Drive have been set including ALIVE! member congregations Fairlington Presbyterian Church and Sixteenth Tabernacle Beth-El. Find a site. 

ALIVE! Food Hubs offer free food, personal items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, and referrals to other services. ALIVE! Food Hubs are for City of Alexandria residents and are located at 510-F South Van Dorn St and 2601 Mount Vernon Ave. Proof of Alexandria residency may be requested. Access locations and times. 

ALIVE! offers food distributions, including free bags of groceries (produce, chicken, eggs, bread) at three locations on the last Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Please bring reusable bags. ALIVE! food distributions are for City of Alexandria residents. Proof of Alexandria City residency may be requested.  

Drive-through: 

• Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave) 

• NOVA Alexandria Campus (parking lot B-1 via 5000 Dawes Ave) 

Walk-up: 

• Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave) 

• William Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave)  

ALIVE! has increased their pop-up food distributions to bring food directly to clients’ neighborhoods. View the food distribution dates and locations.   

ALIVE! services include Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership, ALIVE! House, Family Assistance, Food, Furniture, and Housewares. Learn more. 

COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters Check  

Vaccines and boosters continue to be available. They are safe, effective, free and they can save your life. Walk-ins are highly encouraged, but appointments can also be scheduled online. For general questions, please contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703.746.4988, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. As part of Alexandria's commitment to serving all communities, clinics are hosted at a variety of times in conveniently located neighborhood locations and do not require ID, insurance, or English fluency. Access a schedule of locations and times.  

Transportation for Vaccine Appointments for Older Adults  

Free transportation through Alexandria Yellow Cab is available for adults aged 60+ to obtain their COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots. Transportation will be provided to City of Alexandria residents to and from vaccination sites in or outside of the city. The senior may bring one companion with them at no charge. To schedule a trip, please make a vaccination appointment at least two days out, then call 703.746.5999 to schedule the trip. Learn more. 

Reduced Transit Fare via "Metro Lift" 

Metro now offers reduced fares to assist low-income customers via the 'Metro Lift' program. Customers in DC, Maryland and Virginia who qualify for the US Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) are eligible to enroll. Customers enrolled in Metro Lift will receive a 50 percent discount for any travel on Metrorail and Metrobus. 

Online enrollment and appointment scheduling is available at the WMATA website. In-person enrollment is available at three sites: 

  • Metro Center Metro Station 

12th & F Street NW Entrance - Mezzanine Level  

  • Metro Headquarters 

300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024  

  • New Carrollton Metro Office 

4100 Garden City Dr, Hyattsville, MD 20785 

Learn more on the City’s SNAP homepage.