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.
ECNV Attends: Dreamers’ Mothers in Action (DMIA)
On April 28th, Rosalia Fajardo joined Dreamers' Mothers in Action (DMIA) at their General Assembly Debrief 2026 as a panelist.
ALT: A group photo of Dreamers' Mothers in Action (DMIA) at their 2026 General Assembly Debrief.
ECNV Attends ACCSES Conference
Dominique Dunford-Lack and Hannah Roberts spoke with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia at the ACCSES conference in Virginia Beach on April 28, 2026.
ALT: Dominique Dunford-Lack and Hannah Roberts posing for a photo with Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia.
ECNV Attend FCPS Flash Forward 2026
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, ECNV, represented by Rosalia Fajardo and Paul Whitney, attended The Fairfax County Public Schools Flash Forward 2026, a highly successful event that connected students and families with critical post-secondary resources.
ALT: ECNV staff at FCPS Flash Forward fair
ECNV At Arlington Housing Fair 2026
Last Saturday, April 25, 2026, ECNV participated in the Arlington Housing Fair, providing information and resources for people with disabilities, with a strong focus on accessibility. The event gave residents a one-stop opportunity to get reliable, practical guidance on finding and maintaining housing in Arlington.
ALT: ECNV staff at Arlington Housing Fair.
Money Moves Moments We Love!
Our student Sriya shared, “Me and my mom had so much fun eating the parfaits we made together!”
Learning new skills, spending quality time, and enjoying something sweet together—what a win! Great job, Sriya!
ALT: Sriya enjoying a dessert with her mom.
Money Moves In Action!
Our student, Yamato came home with groceries and put his budgeting skills to work—he made a delicious taco dinner for everyone!
What a great example of planning ahead: budgeting for a meal, shopping smart, and cooking at home. Way to go, Yamato!
ALT: Yamato enjoying a meal.
ECNV Money Moves Camp Kicked Off this Month!
For one week, students in Money Moves met to understand what money is, how they can use it to pay for things they need, and how to decide what things are most important to pay for.
ALT: Money Moves camp graduates!
Advocacy in Action: ECNV Takes on Capitol Hill
Advocacy team has been busy! On March 23, 2026, Laura Kim (Policy & Advocacy Coordinator) and Jimena Barron (Lead Community Activist) participated in the Disability Policy Seminar and on 03/24/26 attended Hill Day, which included meetings with the offices of Congressman Beyer and Congressman Walkinshaw.
29th Annual Health and Fitness Expo at GMU in Fairfax
On March 19, 2026, Margarita Baquero, Travel Trainer, and Rosalia Fajardo from ENCV successfully participated in the 29th annual Health and Fitness Expo at George Mason University in Fairfax!
Arlington County Engagement Forum
On Monday, March 16th, Andrew Shaw from ECNV tabled alongside WMATA’s Brigid Doherty and Sharita Smith at the Arlington County Community engagement forum.