nonprofit | FFXnow

Published April 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Reston-based nonprofit will host a unique block party — billed as the first of its kind in Northern Virginia — at Lake Anne Plaza this weekend to promote inclusion between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The “All Abilities Block Party” will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11. It will feature a bubble artist, caricaturist, DJ, roaming juggler, glitter tattoos, tent with art on display, a visit from Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, and free food with an RSVP in advance.

News

New Reston-based nonprofit will assist Afghan refugees

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published March 25, 2026 at 3:45PM

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn welcomes the Afghan Refugee Rescue Organization to Reston (courtesy Afghan Refugee Rescue Organization)

A small new nonprofit organization hopes to help the tens of thousands of Afghans who live in Virginia find employment, build stronger connections with one another, and celebrate their culture.

Volunteers gathered at the United Christian Parish in Reston on Saturday (March 21) to celebrate the opening of the Afghanistan Refugee Rescue Organization’s new U.S. branch there.

News

Retiring Cornerstones CEO sees rewards, challenges ahead for Reston nonprofit

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 19, 2026 at 10:00AM

Kerrie Wilson is retiring from Cornerstones after 25 years as its CEO (courtesy Cornerstones)

When she officially retires next month after 25 years, Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson is confident that she will be leaving the Reston-based social services nonprofit in more-than-capable hands.

With both major projects and a turbulent economic and political climate to manage, the Cornerstones Board of Directors couldn’t have chosen a better successor for her than Shannon Steene, Wilson told FFXnow in an interview earlier this month.

News

Reston nonprofit Cornerstones names longtime Alexandria shelter director as new CEO

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 12, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated February 12, 2026 at 3:56PM

Shannon Steene (courtesy of Cornerstones)

For its next CEO, Cornerstones has chosen a local leader with plenty of experience guiding human services nonprofits through major transformations.

The Reston-based organization announced today (Thursday) that Shannon Steene, the executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, will take over as its top executive on April 13, replacing longtime CEO Kerrie Wilson.

News

Fairfax student’s nonprofit organizes service projects to help homeless people

By Emily Leayman

Published February 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

Hands in Hope organizes student service projects to help people experiencing homelessness (courtesy of Minn Vo)

After losing a brother who experienced homelessness, Carter G. Woodson High School student Minn Vo became aware on a personal level of how vulnerable people without shelter can be — and how often they’re overlooked by society.

That was a call to action for Vo, who founded the nonprofit Hands in Hope to organize service projects and fundraise to benefit individuals experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County.

News

Friends of Reston revives tree fund to support community plantings

By Jamie Rogers

Published December 1, 2025 at 9:15AM

Friends of Reston President Kathleen Driscoll (middle) with Cameron and Lincoln Dunn (left), Bundeseh-German Liaison Office Col. Bernd Albers (right) and Volkswagen Group of America Senior Director Mark Ramsey (back), who were honored as exceptional supporters at a Nov. 3 tree planting ceremony (photo by Kathleen Driscoll)

Local nonprofit Friends of Reston has brought new life to its Friends of Trees Tree Fund program, doubling down on its efforts to help preserve Reston’s lush tree canopy by encouraging the community to plant more trees.

The program has existed since at least 2012 but experienced a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kathleen Driscoll, president of Friends of Reston, which supports Reston Association through private fundraising and charitable, educational and scientific activities.

News

Vending machines supporting local charities return to Tysons mall

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 21, 2025 at 8:30AM

A Light the World Giving Machine outside AMC Theatres at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vending machines that encourage charitable giving are returning to Tysons Corner Center just in time for the holidays.

The Light the World Giving Machines, which are sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, will be unveiled outside the AMC Theatres (7850 Tysons Corner Center) at noon tomorrow (Saturday) and continue operations through Jan. 4.

News

Construction underway in Fairfax City on region’s largest supportive housing project

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 4, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated November 4, 2025 at 11:18AM

The Beacon Landing construction site in Fairfax City is set up for a groundbreaking ceremony (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A mix of pride and gratitude filled the voices of the government and nonprofit officials who spoke at a ceremonial groundbreaking yesterday (Monday) for Fairfax City’s latest housing project.

Speaker after speaker emphasized the array of contributors whose shared belief that housing should be a basic right, not a privilege, paved the road to construction for Beacon Landing, a 54-unit apartment building for people who are at risk of or experiencing chronic homelessness.

Countywide

Food for Neighbors prepares to ramp up support for N. Va. school food pantries

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 28, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated October 28, 2025 at 11:08PM

Food for Neighbors volunteers sort donated food for students on Oct. 25, 2025 (courtesy Food for Neighbors)

Hundreds of volunteers congregated at sites across Northern Virginia on Saturday (Oct. 25) to collect, sort and distribute donations to local school food pantries.

Timed to coincide with National Make a Difference Day, the sorting events were organized by the nonprofit Food for Neighbors to help the many students in the region who struggle with getting consistent access to food — a challenge expected to worsen as the federal government shutdown approaches a month in length.

Around Town

Local eateries use desserts to raise funds for breast cancer research

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 16, 2025 at 3:45PM

Tatte at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For the next week, desserts will be a force for good at several restaurants and bakeries in Fairfax County.

Tatte, Bourbon Boulevard and other local establishments are participating in this year’s Bakes for Breast Cancer, an annual fundraiser that encourages bakers to donate proceeds from their dessert sales to support breast cancer research.