For more than 50 years, Second Story has operated the only emergency home for youth in Northern Virginia; today, it does that and more, providing a range of safe spaces and services for youth in crisis. Young people experiencing homelessness receive long-term housing support as well as case management, therapy, life skills education, tutoring, and emergency food and supplies. Community outreach programs provide safety and educational support after school – helping kids stay on track academically while steering clear of gangs, drugs, and violence. For young mothers and their babies experiencing homelessness, Second Story offers safe housing, job training, and parenting support while moms continue their education and save for the future. And Family Resource Centers offer language, computer, health literacy, and financial planning classes, as well as legal services, tutoring, joint parent-and-child programs, and food distribution. For young people with nowhere else to turn, your support opens doors.

Headquarters: VA-Fairfax County

Where They Operate: VA-Fairfax County; Culmore; Annandale; Springfield/Franconia; Vienna

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: All


  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) we serve annually:   13,711
  • Number of hours of volunteer work we record annually:   14,670
  • Number of volunteers who work with us annually:   1,654
  • Number of people served in meals programs:   6,570
  • Number of people served in clothing distribution::   2,584

Awards & Recognition

Second Story (formerly Alternative House) was awarded a four-star (highest) rating by Charity Navigator for a fifth consecutive year - achieved by only 6% of the 8,000+ charities evaluated.

Second Story has also been awarded the “Best in America” designation from Independent Charities of America.

Second Story is a GuideStar Gold Participant in the GuideStar Nonprofit Program.

Second Story was recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for our 50 years of service to youth and families.

Press

Budget (FY2015)

  • The current budget for Second Story is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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