7 Questions – Charles Phaneuf (Joe’s Movement Emporium)

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Julia Cain

Good morning! We’re pleased to introduce … Charles Phaneuf, managing director of Joe’s Movement Emporium/World Arts Focus in Mount Rainier. Open 7 days a week and 12 hours a day, Joe’s is home to 25 regional artists and performance groups, offers 3-4 hours of after-school programs daily, and hosts an intensive summer arts camp for low and moderate-income families. Learn even more right here …

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

Working on creative ways to build our audience and generate revenue. In the past, Joe’s has been funded largely by foundation and government partners but resources are not what they used to be. We have to grow individual giving and devise creative ways to partner with businesses beyond traditional sponsorships. In the last few months, we did a percentage sale at a restaurant (Hank’s Tavern in Hyattsville) that was also a preview event for shows in our season, so it brought artistic content out to the community and had an audience development goal. We’re working with Hank’s, our local framing shop (Fountain Framing) and hopefully some other businesses to create offers for Deals for Deeds, which we won two weeks ago. We hope that these efforts and others will help build a deeper relationship with our partners and audiences while also funding programs so that we don’t have to cut services and can continue to grow.

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7 Question – Sonia Quinonez (SCAN of Northern Virginia)

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Julia Cain

Greetings! Let’s welcome to “7 Questions” … Sonia Quinonez, Executive Director of SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia. Last year alone, 7000 children were reported as victims of abuse in Virginia and SCAN is there to stand up for them, offering parental support groups and education and producing creative public awareness initiatives. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, so this is an ideal time to learn more about SCAN’s essential work in our region.

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

SCAN of Northern Virginia just hosted our annual Allies in Prevention Awards Luncheon last Friday. It was a wonderful gathering of some 190 advocates for children — from front-line child protective services workers to elected officials. We honored five inspiring individuals, who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to improving the lives of children and strengthening families. Leon Harris of WJLA/ABC7 was a delightful emcee introducing us to the Ally Award winners. From a foster parent to a probation officer to a Deputy Director of Community and Human Services, each of the honorees has demonstrated a lifetime of commitment to protecting the most vulnerable children in our community. Our keynote speaker, Christine James-Brown, CEO of the Child Welfare League of America, engaged us in reflections on national advocacy efforts to focus anew on child welfare and the responsibility and accountability each of us has for playing our role in the systems that support families. It was truly an inspiring event.

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7 Questions – Stuart Naranch (Art Enables)

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Julia Cain

Today, we are welcoming to “7 Questions” …. Stuart Naranch, Production Manager of Art Enables! An entrepreneurial arts program for area adults with developmental or mental disabilities, Art Enables provides opportunities for the creation of “outsider” and folks art, which is then marketed at exhibits in the studio, through local retailers, and online. Participants also receive 60% of the sales of individual pieces and flat fees for designs. Do browse the store and check out the events calendar — so awesome!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

I think it has to be moving our studio to its new location on Rhode Island Ave NE from New York Ave NE. We have had more drop-in visitors in the first months of being open than all the time in the old location and there is a great sense of community and more opportunities for neighborhood partnerships.

2. What else are you up to?

We are always busy trying to develop new products for our artists’ portfolios. We want to create art works that can be displayed in non-traditional manner that are suited to our new neighborhood.

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7 Questions – Scott Schenkelberg (Miriam’s Kitchen)

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Julia Cain

Good morning! We are psyched to introduce you to … Scott Schenkelberg, the Executive Director of Miriam’s Kitchen in DC. Every weekday morning for the last 27 years (holidays included), breakfast has been served to chronically homeless men and women: 1,500 when Miriam’s was first featured in the Catalogue in 2003 and over 4,000 in 2009!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

Professionally, it was expanding Miriam’s Kitchen’s programs in 2010 to have evening services — meals and case management. Up until the program started in January 2010, there was no indoor, evening meal program for men and women in downtown DC. Personally, attending the State Dinner for the President of Mexico in May 2010.

2. What else are you up to?

Raising money. Miriam’s Kitchen is almost entirely privately funded. Our 2011 annual budget is nearly $2 million.

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7 Questions – Patricia M. Donnelly (Literacy Council of Northern Virginia)

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Julia Cain

Many Catalogue cheers for today’s “7 Questions” guest … Patricia M. Donnelly, Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. Serving an area where 120 different languages are spoken, the LCNV offers adult education in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English to over 2,300 students a year.

Interested in learning more? Read onwards … and, swing by “Reading: A Family Affair” on Saturday, March 19 from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM in Falls Church. Kids can meet Clifford the Big Red Dog, watch the Bob Brown Puppets, learn origami, write and illustrate their own stories, and then take home a free book!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

The Literacy Council initiated Reading: A Family Affair just a few years ago. Compared to fundraising dinners with live and silent auctions, this event is family-friendly and free, brings books to life with the help of local artists, and (most importantly) open to the Literacy Council’s clients. The event is designed for them. The fundraising comes from Corporate and small business sponsorships, who are willing and eager to see a community-based, free, literacy event in their neighborhood. And it’s a lot of fun!

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7 Questions – Nancy Kelly (Health Volunteers Overseas)

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Julia Cain

Good morning-after-the-hailstorm, Greater Washington! Today on “7 Questions,” we’re psyched to introduce you to … Nancy Kelly, Executive Director of Health Volunteers Overseas since its founding in 1986. Now in 25 developing countries, HVO’s healthcare professionals offer medical education to their counterparts, improving the quality and quantity of healthcare where it’s most needed. Want to learn more? Read on!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

We are working with the American Dental Association on an initiative to rebuild 35 dental practices in Haiti. The goal is to raise $350,000 since we estimate the cost to rebuild is $10,000 per practice. We are working with the ADA and the Haitian Dental Association to develop an application process that will serve as a means of identifying the best prospects for support. Those dentists that receive support must commit to paying back to the community by providing free dental care to those in need but unable to pay. This is a new type of project for HVO, one that will be quite challenging as we move into the implementation phase — but I hope that it will be the start for similar initiatives elsewhere.

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7 Questions – Sara Strehle Duke (Encore Stage & Studio)

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Julia Cain

It’s spring! Well, not quite. But it certainly feels like it. So welcome to early spring and welcome to “7 Questions” … Sara Strehle Duke, the Executive Director of Encore Stage & Studio. With over 165 full-scale, high-quality plays to its name, Encore is a unique educational community theatre, providing opportunities both onstage and backstage to kids of all ages. Read on to learn more!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

We just wrapped up our production of Night at the Wax Museum: the Musical. There were awakened wax figures, undercover agents, and high schoolers (!) running all over the stage, stopping every now and then to do a dance number. I particularly enjoyed this production because it allowed our student actors to tackle some pretty interesting historical characters: Henry VIII, Butch Cassidy, Cleopatra, Madame Ching, and Lizzie Borden to name a few. The cast and crew did a wonderful job. I think we all had fun with it and learned a little as well.

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7 Questions – Ruth Benker (Fairfax Pets on Wheels)

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Julia Cain

Good morning, Washington! Today on “7 Questions,” we are welcoming … Ruth Benker, Director of Communications at Fairfax Pets on Wheels! Providing therapeutic visits (and much needed-company) for nursing home patients and assisted living residents, friendly pets and trained volunteers visit 10 facilities with a total of 1,328 beds. They know never to underestimate the power of the human/animal bond!

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

As the Director of Communications, I am responsible for getting the word out about our wonderful program. The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) filmed Fairfax Pets on Wheels as part of a documentary that they are doing to inspire volunteerism in South Korea. They want to show how Americans work together in order to cope with the nation’s current economic crisis and provide services in the community. Their film crew joined FPOW volunteers during a visit at one of our nursing homes in December, at one of our monthly orientations for new volunteers, and at a temperament test for potential new pet volunteers in January. We were honored to have been selected by KBS to be a part of their project.

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7 Questions – Judith Dittman (Alternative House)

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Julia Cain

Welcome to February, Greater Washington!

And welcome to GoodWorks, Judith Dittman, Executive Director of Alternative House. Founded in 1972 as a shelter for runaway and homeless teens, Alternative House has evolved into an entire support system designed to keep kids off the streets — and is currently the only shelter for youth in Northern Virginia. Learn more about Judith and their incredible work right here:

1. What was your most interesting recent project, initiative, partnership, or event?

We started a new program called the homeless youth initiative, which provides help with rent and support for high school students who are homeless without the support of a family. It’s been phenomenally successful, but we are scrambling for funding. In June of 2009, there were 100 homeless youth in Fairfax without the support of a parent or guardian who were trying to complete high school. Almost 10% ended up in adult homeless shelters and many dropped out of school. We started our Homeless Youth Initiative in September 2009. In June of 2010, there were more than 200 homeless youth without the support of a family who were still in high school. None went to an adult homeless shelter, only one dropped out of school, and 77% of graduating seniors went to college. I am so inspired by what these kids are doing, given the chance and a roof over their heads. It’s amazing!

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Catalogue Blog

Category Archives: 7 Questions

7 Questions – Charles Phaneuf (Joe’s Movement Emporium)

7 Question – Sonia Quinonez (SCAN of Northern Virginia)

7 Questions – Stuart Naranch (Art Enables)

7 Questions – Scott Schenkelberg (Miriam’s Kitchen)

7 Questions – Patricia M. Donnelly (Literacy Council of Northern Virginia)

7 Questions – Nancy Kelly (Health Volunteers Overseas)

7 Questions – Sara Strehle Duke (Encore Stage & Studio)

7 Questions – Ruth Benker (Fairfax Pets on Wheels)

7 Questions – Judith Dittman (Alternative House)