Taking Care of the Diverse Communities of Northern Virginia
At ECNV, we are firmly committed to helping people with disabilities and their families access the healthcare they need. As flu season gets underway, ECNV is partnering with Walgreens to bring free flu vaccines to uninsured members of our diverse communities through Walgreens’ special voucher program.
ALT: A female technician from Walgreens, dressed in a white medical jacket, is surrounded by members of the Korean community who are waiting to receive their flu shots.
A male technician from Walgreens administers a flu shot to a young Latino male, while a Chinese female in a dark blue T-shirt and white pants captures the moment with her camera.
Jimena Barron from ECNV is coordinating the vaccine clinic at the Springfield Resource Center. She is wearing a white blouse and black pants. Next to her, a female technician from Walgreens in a white medical gown stands beside a Latino male who is waiting for his flu shot, dressed in black shorts and a red T-shirt.
ECNV Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at Audubon Estates
On Saturday, October 10, 2026, ECNV was proud to participate in the Audubon Estates Hispanic and Latin American Month Celebration, welcoming more than 200 participants!
We distributed flyers and informational fact sheets highlighting the many programs, services, and resources ECNV offers to support people with disabilities and their families.
Top Images (Left to Right): A group photo of performers at Audubon Estates Hispanic and Latin American Month Celebration. Rosalia Fajardo is pictured in the center; Rosalia, holding an American flag and a Mexican flag. Beside her (on the right) is a woman wearing a black t-shirt.
Bottom, Center Image: An African-American woman holds up a dark navy ECNV bag.
Law Enforcement Wellness: Strengthening Officers, Strengthening the Community
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, Rosalia Fajardo attended the community lunch "Law Enforcement Wellness: Strengthening Officers, Strengthening the Community," hosted by the Shirlington Employment and Education Center.
Top Center Image: Jose Quiroz, the Arlington sheriff, proudly wearing his police uniform. In the center is Rosalia Fajardo, who serves as the Director of Disability Strategic Partnerships at ECNV. To the right is Andres Tovan, the Executive Director of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center.
Bottom Images (Left to Right): A man in a police uniform, Jose Quiroz, who serves as the Arlington sheriff, is presenting the awards; Rosalia Fajardo and Claudia Camacho, the proud owners of Cafe Sazon, are joined by a group of male and female officers from the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.
On the Move with The Arc of Loudoun
At the end of September, ECNV travel trainer Andrew Shaw, along with Arc of Loudoun, took the bus from ONE Loudoun to Ashburn, then used the Metro to go to Tyson’s.
ALT: ECNV travel trainer Andrew Shaw, helping a student navigate the metro.
Success on the Metro!
September Metro Club met at Dunn Loring, practiced adding money to the fare kiosks, and traveled together on the Orange and Silver Lines to Olive Garden and back. Some participants also used MetroAccess for the first time. Experiences like these demonstrate how individualized travel training can help people learn to navigate destinations independently while building confidence throughout the DMV area.
ALT: ECNV Metro Club posing together for a group photo at McClean Station.
ECNV at Reston Multicultural Festival
On Saturday, 09/19/26, ECNV's Travel Trainer, Margarita attended an outreach event at the Reston Multicultural Festival along with her daughter.
Be sure to check out our calendar of events.
ALT: Margarita and her daughter.
A Special Testimonial to ECNV
On 09/05/26, ECNV staff provided 37 vaccines at the Korean Community Service Center.
ECNV's Joint Social Club Game Night Fun!
On July 31st, ECNV hosted a lively game night for the RAMP Summer Camp and it was a blast! Everyone came together to socialize, have fun, and forge new connections. It truly was a memorable evening! Don’t forget to keep an eye on ECNV's calendar for our monthly Social Group outings, which happen on the last Friday of every month, along with other exciting group activities!
RAMP Competed in the 2026 Cardboard Boat Regatta
On August 8th, Kevina Brown, and the RAMP team competed for the second year at the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta. RAMP students take on the project of drafting, building and floating the boat.
Incoming Flu Vaccination Season
Working together to build healthier communities, Rosalia Fajardo, Director of Disability Strategic Partnerships at ECNV, is proud to partner with Walgreens to provide free flu vaccines to members of the multicultural diaspora who serve on the Fairfax County Health Department’s Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC).
Hill Visits
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, was "Hill Day." Many ECNV staff members visited the Capitol and met with their respective members of Congress to advocate on behalf of the organization.
ALT: Group photo 1 (left to right): Eddy, Congressman Walkinshaw, Laura, Jimena, Elaine, Andrew.
Group photo 2 (left to right): Eddy, Ana Bradic, Laura, Jimena, Andrew and Elaine.
ECNV Staff at the NCIL
ECNV was well-represented at this year's NCIL conference. Travel trainer Joe Postow, Lead Community Activist Jimena Barron, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator Laura Kim, travel trainer Karla Nativi, Community Transition Liaison Vanessa Romero, Lead, Disability Justice and Strategic Innovation Cherie Takemoto and Information & Referral Specialist (and DME) Alexa Mavroidis!
ALT: Left to right front row: Joe, Jimena, Laura, Carla.
Second row: Heidi, Vanessa, Natali, Roman.
Third row: Cherie, Aida, Alexa
Travel Training Adventure
On 07/14/26, Travel Trainer, Karla, and Sharin traveled to the Smithsonian and stopped by the Springfield Metro Station so Sharin could receive her Senior SmarTrip® card. Every trip builds confidence, independence, and the skills to navigate the community with greater ease.
ALT: Travel Training student Sharin poses with her new Senior SmarTrip® card.
Cherie Takemoto Receives Judy Heumman Award
On Monday, July 20, 2026, ECNV Lead, Disability Justice and Strategic Innovation, Dr. Cherie Takemoto, proudly celebrated on receiving the Judy Heumann Award. This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing disability rights, particularly for immigrants with disabilities. We are grateful for Cherie's dedication, advocacy, and the lasting impact she continues to make in our community. Congratulations, Cherie, on this well-deserved recognition!
ALT: Photo Collage (Left to Right): Photo 1 - Dominique Dunford-Lack, Rebecca Cokley and Cherie Takemoto posing with their awards, and Rosalia Fajardo; Photo 2: Rebecca Cokley and Rosalia Fajardo; Photo 3 on bottom center: Cherie Takemoto and Rosalia Fajardo.
ECNV Staff Join the 2026 NCIL March
On 07/21/26, ECNV staff, Roman and Karla, attended the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) 2026 Annual Conference, to march to the Capitol. The theme was “Protect. Persist. Prosper.”, focusing on defending independent living, advancing the movement, and building a thriving future for the disability community.
ALT: Karla and Roman at the NCIL March!
Arlington County Board Honors ECNV
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, JD Spain Sr. from the Arlington County Board presented a Proclamation honoring Disability Pride month and recognizing disability nonprofits serving Arlington including The Arc of Northern Virginia, SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC, and ECNV - ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia!
ALT: ECNV represented at the Arlington County Board meeting, from left to right: Rosalia Fajardo, Laura Kim, Jimena Barron, (non-ECNV staff, JD Spain, Sr.), Cherie Takemoto and Dominique Dunford-Lack.
Sweet Jake Ice Cream Shop
On Friday, June 26, 2026, RAMP students created their own ice cream flavor. The RAMP Rainbow Vanilla Coco Fudge for "A Career Shadowing Activity"
Thank you, Robin Rinearson and Jake's Ice Cream, for their dedication and support and for making this event possible!!
ALT: A brown bag from Jake's Ice Cream, with text written on it that reads: Rainbow Vanilla Coco Fudge RAMR.
School Health Nurses Program Conference
On Monday, June 22, 2026, Rosalia Fajardo, Director of Strategic Disability Partnerships at ECNV, was invited to serve as a keynote speaker at the School Nursing Program Conference, an initiative of the Fairfax County Health Department. This program plays a vital role in ensuring access to health services—including vaccinations—and supporting community initiatives that extend beyond the school setting to foster healthier communities for all.
ALT: Bio of guest speakers at School Health Nurses Program Conference; Rosalia Fajardo presenting at the School Health Nurses Program Conference; Attendees at School Health Nurses Program Conference; School Health Nurses Program Conference at the Fairfax County Government Center.
ECNV-Walkinshaw Meet and Greet
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, ECNV staff Policy & Advocacy Coordinator Laura Kim, Lead Community Activist Jimena Barron, Training & Mobility Manager Andrew Shaw and Communication and Publications Specialist Elaine Shaw met with Congressman Walkinshaw's District Director Maddy White and disability intern and advocate Adam Rizzoli. This was an informal meet-and-greet with Walkinshaw's Fairfax office and a valuable opportunity to introduce ECNV and highlight the role we play across Northern Virginia, especially in Fairfax.
(Left to Right): Jimena Barron, Laura Kim, Ryan Rizzoli, Maddie White, Andrew and Elaine Shaw pose for a group photo at Walkinshaw's Fairfax office. The background has a lot of transportation decor.
All Star Ability Day
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, All Star Ability Day was a true joy for attendees, featuring inclusive games, creative crafts, music, and family-friendly activities that brought the community together.
ALT: Collage (Top Row, Left to Right), two female All Star Ability Day attendees showing off purple ECNV gift cards; Rosalia with a male All Star Ability Day person with a disability. Bottom, Rosalia with a female All Star Ability Day volunteer.