Resources

Highlights of new and existing resources to support individuals and families...
Page updated on December 7, 2023 at 2:18 PM
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December 7, 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.  

Community Health Fair 

Come to our Community Health Fair on December 16 and learn how to apply for and renew your Virginia Medicaid Coverage. 

The Del Pepper Community Resource Center 
4850 Mark Center Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22311  

December 16, 2023, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Get free screenings and information, including: 

  • Cholesterol 

  • Blood pressure 

  • Diabetes 

  • BMI (height/weight) 

  • Flu Vaccines 

  • Health Education  

  • and much more 

Plus, there will be a raffle every hour for a chance to win a Giant Food Grocery Gift Card!  For more information contact the DCHS Call Center at: 703.746.5700. 

Winter Shelter 

The City of Alexandria Winter Shelter, also called Hypothermia Shelter, ensures that individuals and families experiencing homelessness have a warm, clean and safe environment to retreat from the elements of weather at night. The Winter Shelter, operated by Carpenter's Shelter, is open nightly from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. regardless of weather from November 1- April 15. The Winter Shelter provides supportive services and resources necessary to assist residents in obtaining stable housing.  

The winter shelter is located at 2355-A Mill Road. For transportation details and more information visit: https://www.alexandriava.gov/homeless-services/homeless-services 

Carpenter's Shelter 

930 N Henry St. 

Alexandria, VA 22314 

571.652.9984 

The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force 

The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force is a space where LGBTQ+ people and allies gather quarterly to network, share ideas, and plan training and community events. The goal of the Task Force is to create safe and inclusive service provision to LGBTQ+ people in the City of Alexandria. For more information and to join as a community member and/or service provider, please contact members of the Leadership Team and/or the staff facilitator, Erika Callaway Kleiner (she/her), at Erika.Kleiner@alexandriava.gov. 

LGBTQ+ Parent Support Group 

This support group is for Virginia Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Children and Youth and is free, online, confidential and weekly on Fridays from 12-1 p.m. Join if you want to learn more about how to support your child and yourself, while connecting with other parents. Please email vaparentsoflgbtqyouth@gmail.com for more information and/or to complete a screening. 

Eviction Prevention Assistance  

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

Community IT Help Desk  

The City of Alexandria partners with Computer Core to operate 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/. 

Jobs, Workshops and Skills Training  

Food Distribution and Pop-ups  

For information about a variety of food assistance programs, visit the DCHS Food Directory. 

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. Proof of Alexandria residency may be requested. Please note that both Food Hubs will be closed on December 16. All of ALIVE!’s Food Programs will be closed December 22 through January 4. 

Food Hub at 510-F South Van Dorn St. 

Tuesdays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) 

Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) 

Thursdays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) 

Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Food Hub at 2601 Mount Vernon Ave 

Tuesdays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) 

Wednesdays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) 

Thursdays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) 

Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Saturday, December 16, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 

Drive-through: 

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

Pop-Up Food Distributions 

ALIVE! provides bags of food to neighborhoods and apartment buildings in collaboration with our community partners. Drive-through and walk-up service are available depending on the site. ALIVE! pop-up food distributions are for City of Alexandria residents. Proof of Alexandria City residency may be requested. 

Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at UNCUT Youth (1501 Cameron St.) 

Saturday, December 9, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. at Fairlington United Methodist Church (3900 King St.) 

Thursday, December 14, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Ramsay Rec Center (5650 Sanger Ave) 

Friday, December 15, 10:30am – 12 p.m. at Old Town Community Church (212 S. Washington St.) 

Thursday, December 21, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Rd.) 

Alexandria Residents Invited to Complete Food Access Survey 

The City of Alexandria is working with "See What I Mean" to learn about Alexandrians' experience with food access. Everyone's opinions are welcome, even if you don't currently receive food assistance.  

To participate, please complete this SURVEY in English or Spanish and earn a $5 gift card. 

The survey takes about 6 minutes. Your participation is completely voluntary and WILL NOT change the services you receive now or in the future. If you agree to participate, you can always change your mind and stop answering questions at any time. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to.  

Get a $5 Safeway Gift Card 

Bring proof that you completed the survey (a screen shot) to the 5th Floor front desk of the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive and you will get a free $5 Safeway Gift Card.  

Gift Cards are also available at: 

ALIVE! Weekend Food Distribution 

ALIVE! Food Hubs 

ALIVE! Food Pop-Ups 

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 7 p.m. to 8 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.  

Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace 

Effective November 1, 2023, Virginia residents can no longer use the federal marketplace at Healthcare.gov to purchase health insurance. Virginia residents are to use Virginia Insurance Marketplace (VIM) going forward. The open enrolment period is from November 1, 2023 through January 15, 2024. Anyone who enrolls by December 15, 2023 will have their coverage starting on January 1, 2024. If, however, you enroll between December 16 through January 15, the coverage will begin on February 1, 2024. 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.  

Reduced Transit Fare via "Metro Lift"  

Metro 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.    

Senior Taxi Yellow Card Program  

The City offers a Senior Taxi Yellow Card Program which is operated in partnership with Yellow Cab of Alexandria, Inc. This program is available to individuals age 60 or older who live in the City of Alexandria and whose annual gross household income is $48,508 or below. Seniors can apply for the Senior Taxi Discount program by calling 703.746.5999.