In the fundraising world, donors do not often come from the neighborhoods of the people to whom they give. It is quite powerful to suggest that residents in a community can harness their collective strengths to bridge the economic gaps to support local organizations and the individuals they serve. What is even more powerful is through that collective effort, social ills such as poverty, domestic violence, sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS are localized and seen not as just worthy causes, but issues that impact the everyday lives of folks in their community. What is the Village?


Ward 7 (and Friends) Neighborhood Holiday Party

Smith Commons
The 2nd Annual Ward 7 (and Friends) Neighborhood Holiday Party, held on December 18, 2011, saw a doubling in attendees from the year before and a tripling in funds raised. At the end of the evening, we had over 100 participants and provided $250 worth of gift cards to five Ward 7 families served through East River Family Strengthening Collaborative. In addition, we received generous donations from Smith Commons and DC CHEW (Community, Harvest, Education, Ward 7). 




Kudos to the host committee: Maceo Thomas, Ajia Meux, Amani Dakar, Sylvia Brown, Courtney and Michael Shorter, Sherrie Lawson, Jimell Sanders, Ronnie Streff, Kia Chatmon, Veronica Davis, Russell Klein, Takeya Young, Cindy Mutombo, Toya Carmichael, Michele Prout, Nzinga Tull, Yao Tyus, Said Chestnut, Courtney M. Jackson, Courtney A. Hinton, Autumn Saxton-Ross and Shayne Bell.
Host Committee member, Veronica Davis gets down to business with Republican Candidate for Ward 7 Council Ronald Moten

Councilmember Tommy Wells, Veronica Davis and neighbors.



Donations provided by DC CHEW (Community, Harvest, Education, Ward 7)



 Ajia Meux

 Autumn Saxton-Ross and Veronica O. Davis
Michelle Prout, Sylvia Brown, Sherrie Lawson, Ronnie Streff and Neighbors



DC Blogger, Keith Ivey



R.E.E.L. President, Charles Wilson and neighbors





Rosie Parke, Director of Communication (center) and representatives from East River Family Strengthening Collaborative
N'Zinga Tull and neighbor




Ronnie Streff talks business with Keith Ivey
Courtney Jackson



Tanya Ellis and neighbor

N'Zinga Tull and neighbor

Kia Chatmon and neighbor



Takeyah Young
N'Zinga Tull and Takeyah Young
Host Committee member acknowledgement











NaKeisha Neil is a lucky winner!