Supporters of Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia, a nonprofit that combats homelessness, at the McLean Project for the Arts for a fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 23. Photo by Alex McVeigh.
McLean — The McLean Project for the Arts welcomed Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia for a fundraiser at the art venue Thursday, Oct. 24. The nonprofit, based in Springfield, aims to combat homelessness by stabilizing housing situations and promoting self-sufficiency.
HCSNV was founded in 1985 as Ventures in Community by a consortium of local churches.
“We wanted to find solutions to the housing problems of the working poor in Fairfax County. That was in 1985. In 2013, we’re still confronting many of the same issues,” said Jose Paiz, chair of HCSNV’s board. “We were the first long-term homeless prevention case management program in Fairfax County. Over the years we have evolved into an agency that provides case management, housing counseling, financial literacy and emergency assistance.”
By 2010, they were annually providing one-on-one financial counseling to 480 clients, bilingual home buying workshops to 70 clients, gave $70,000 in direct financial aid to 130 households, totaling more than 450 people and providing referrals for assistance to more than 4,000 families.
Since their founding, HCSNV has helped more than 10,000 families become financially self-sufficient.
Their primary funding comes from the Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool, and they also receive grants and sponsorships from other nonprofits, government agencies, foundations and commercial entities.
Cary Melnyk of Monarch Title, one of the event’s co-chairs, said this type of event was a first.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this, and we’re so honored to welcome so many as our guests. We are also honored to be guests of the McLean Project for the Arts, who hosted us in this beautiful setting,” he said. “We’re looking forward to presenting a big check to HCSNV.”
The event was able to raise more than $45,000. More information can be found at www.hscnv.org.