April 3, 2025- 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.
Spring Fling at The Market at Southern Towers
Spring Fling is a fun-filled event for the entire family. Enjoy live music, unique vendors, food trucks, a kids' corner with fun games and activities like face painting and cotton candy, free parking, and much more!
Location: 5067 Seminary Rd
Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
SNAP/EBT accepted
Jobs, Workshops and Skills Training
Transitioning Out of Federal Government- For federal employees affected by layoffs, the Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) has resources to support you including workshops, hiring fairs, and specialized programs to assist job seekers. WDC is launching new classes tailored for federal employees. Stay tuned for more details! Visit alexandriava.gov/go/6627 to access a growing library of resources such as job listings, resume tips, and guidance on benefits applications. Updated weekly with relevant information.
Featured Jobs- Compiled and released by the Workforce Development Center. Follow WDC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn for the latest or visit the WDC’s job board for a complete list of job opportunities.
Free WDC Job Readiness Services- See job readiness and career development workshops — including interviewing skills, navigating the virtual job fair, transferable skills, one-on-one job coaching, networking and more — and over 5,000 SkillUp online skills training courses. Select WDC workshops are also available in Spanish.
Personal Finance and Career Building Classes- DCHS hosts a series of personal finance and career building classes. All classes are free, held virtually on Wednesdays 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 advanced 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.
Tax Preparation-We are pleased to offer free income tax preparation for qualifying households. The tax season began on February 1 and will end on April 19. To ensure the best service, appointments are preferred; however, limited walk-ins will be accommodated based on availability. For more details, please view this flyer.
Housing
Housing and Eviction Prevention Assistance - For information on the resources, programs, and services provided by the City of Alexandria Office of Housing, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/Housing. Access eviction prevention assistance through the Office of Housing and DCHS. Learn more.
Winter Shelter
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. In cases of inclement weather conditions, families and single individuals may be able to access the Winter Shelter before 7 p.m. Contact the shelter for more information. The Winter Shelter also provides supportive services and resources necessary to assist residents in obtaining stable housing. The shelter is located at 2355-A Mill Road. Learn more and obtain transportation details.
Food Assistance
Food Hubs – 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. See the schedule and a list of locations. ALIVE! services also include Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership, ALIVE! House, Family Assistance, Furniture, and Housewares. Learn more.
Home Delivery Program - ALIVE! delivers food Monday-Friday afternoons to the doorsteps of those who are unable to attend emergency food distributions. Home deliveries are available to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and single parents with very young children. Clients may receive once-monthly groceries: 3-5 days of shelf-stable food, meat, milk, fresh bread, eggs, and produce. To receive home delivery, you must be referred by DCHS at 703.746.5700, an ALIVE! member congregation, or another social service agency. For more information on home delivery, complete the Contact Us online form or call 703-549-3692.
For more information about a variety of food assistance programs, visit the DCHS Food Directory.
Using SNAP/EBT at Alexandria Farmers’ Markets -Alexandria’s participating farmers’ markets accept SNAP/EBT, making it easier for residents to access fresh, local produce. This initiative helps increase access to healthy food while supporting local farmers.
Old Town Farmers’ Market
Location: 301 King St.
Hours: Saturdays, 7 A.M.-12 P.M. (Year-round, rain or shine)
SNAP/EBT accepted
Old Town North Farmers’ Market
Location: 901 N. Royal St.
Hours: Sundays, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
SNAP/EBT accepted
The Market at Southern Towers
Location: 5067 Seminary Rd
Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
SNAP/EBT accepted
Transportation
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 trip on Metrorail and Metrobus. Online enrollment and appointment scheduling are available at the WMATA website.
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 aged 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.
Shuttle Service to DCHS- Effective August 12, 2024, free shuttle transportation became available round trip between the Mark Center Transit Station and the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive).
- Mondays: Departs Mark Center Station Bay 3 to Del Pepper Community Resource Center every 30 minutes (9:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:15 a.m., etc.) Returns to Mark Center Station Bay 3 every 25 minutes (9:35 a.m., 10:05 a.m., 10:35 a.m., etc.)
- Wednesdays: Departs Mark Center Station Bay 3 to Del Pepper Community Resource Center every 30 minutes (8:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9:15 a.m., etc.) Returns to Mark Center Station Bay 3 every 25 minutes (8:35 a.m., 9:05 a.m., 9:35 a.m., etc.)
Resources for Children and Youth
Preschool Enrollment- ALX Preschool, a network of programs providing high quality care and education, opens applications for families with children ages 3 and 4 on February 17. To be eligible, the child must be 3 years old by September 30, reside in the City of Alexandria, and the family must meet the income eligibility guidelines. Eligibility is determined through the online application, which is available in English, Amharic, Dari, Spanish and Arabic. Apply for ALX Preschool online . Anyone in need of assistance with the application can call 703.746.5437 or email ALXPreschool@alexandriava.gov.
Champions of Children Awards- Do you know anyone instrumental in supporting children, youth, and families in the City of Alexandria? Nominate them for a 2025 Champion of Children Award! Submission deadline for nominations is on Friday, April 11. Awards reception will be held on Wednesday, June 11. Nominate someone today! See flyer for more information.
The Alexandria Safe Place - This network of sites and resources is sustained by qualified agencies, trained volunteers, and businesses to provide 24-hour access to immediate help and support for all young people in crisis. Learn more and access a list of Safe Space locations or call the Alexandria Safe Place Office at 703.746.5400.
Resource Directory for Alexandria Youth and Young Adults - These resources have been compiled to increase awareness of and access to the many programs and services provided by City, non-profit, and community organizations for Alexandria youth. It includes health services, social services, employment programs, college and career support, and out-of-school time opportunities. Visit the directory.
Alexandria Teen Text Line - Text TEEN, SEX, DRUGS, or GANGS to 571.640.2898 to get answers to non-urgent questions about health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Parents may also inquire with questions about their teens. To report an emergency, please call 911.
LGBTQ+ Resources
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, Erika Callaway Kleiner (she/her), at Erika.Kleiner@alexandriava.gov.
The LGBTQ+ Parent Support Group- A group for Virginia Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Children and Youth and is free, online, confidential and weekly on Fridays from 11 a.m.-12 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.
Sexual Assault Support Groups- The Sexual Assault Center sponsors virtual support groups for adult sexual assault survivors. Intake is required. Non-gender specific. For more information about upcoming groups, contact Gloria Saez at Gloria.Saez@alexandriava.gov or call 703.850.9426.
Resources To Help with Advance Care Planning
National Healthcare Decisions Day (sometimes referred to as NHDD) is an annual initiative celebrated on April 16 to encourage and empower people to begin conversations about their wishes for care through the end of life.
The City's Division of Aging and Adult Services invite you to set April 16 as the date by which you plan to have a conversation with someone important in your life about your, or their, wishes. There will be a table display in the lobby of Del Pepper Resource Center - DCHS (4850 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311) from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Come talk to professionals and get resources to help you start the conversation!
The City of Alexandria complies with the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone with a disability who wishes to request accommodation may contact the Division of Aging and Adult Services at 703.746.5999 or Virginia Relay at 711.
Need Help in a Crisis? Call 24 Hours a Day
Adult Protective Services | 703.746.5778 or APS State Hotline | 1.888.832.3858 after 4:30 p.m.
Child Protective Services | 703.746.5800 or State 1.800.552.7096
Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment | 703.746.3636
Domestic Violence | 703.746.4911
Emergency Mental Health Services | 703.746.3401
Sexual Assault | 703.683.7273
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
See Suicide Prevention Resources
Prevent or Reverse an Opioid Overdose with Naloxone (Narcan)