April 2026 ECNV E-newsletter
ECNV's Monthly Spotlight
At ECNV, peer mentoring is more than a service—it’s the foundation of everything we do. As an organization run by and for people with disabilities, ECNV understands the power of shared experience. Peer mentoring connects individuals with others who truly understand their journeys, offering guidance, encouragement, and real-world insight.
We are excited to share our newest video, The Power of Peer Mentoring, made possible through the generous support of Elevance Health. The video highlights how connection from one disabled person to another can be truly life changing—building confidence, fostering independence, and creating lasting connections.
From one-on-one mentoring to group opportunities like our new Career & Workplace Peer Mentoring Circle, ECNV continues to create spaces where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive together.
Join the Movement: How You Can Support ECNV Through Our Campaigns:
Mark Your Calendar: ECNV is Participating in 2026 Spring2ACTion!
Spring2ACTion is a 24-hour online event that provides a simple way to connect donors to the charitable causes they care about most and encourages them to take action. This virtual fundraising effort, presented by ACT for Alexandria, with the help of generous sponsors, offers local nonprofits the chance to raise thousands of dollars to ensure that Alexandria is a strong, vibrant community for all.
When: Early giving begins April 8, 2026 and Spring2Action Day is April 22, 2026.
Why ECNV? Each gift made during this campaign will allow us to further our mission at ECNV. Your donation of any amount will help with Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Mentorship, and our durable medical equipment program.
Where: ECNV Spring2ACTion page
Upcoming Classes!
Aging Solo
April 6, 2026 7:00 p.m. Eastern
Our Aging Solo DMV Collective meeting April 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (virtual, all are welcome) features guest speaker and ECNV Travel Trainer, Andrew Shaw — a passionate Recreation Therapist and advocate who has spent over 8 years working with people with disabilities across various roles. He'll share practical tips and knowledge about travel training, MetroAccess, senior fare cards, and trip planning — all to help you navigate your community with more confidence and independence.
The weather is warming, the snow, (fingers crossed is long gone) and there's no better time to get out in the fresh outdoors to travel locally or regionally and explore your community. So many leisure opportunities await you. Join us to discuss ways to boost your mobility, confidence, and community access. Registration is easy, free and will give you the important Zoom information you need to join the call.
Note: If you have registered for any Aging Solo meeting in the past, you will get a reminder, however, to ensure the Zoom link is at the top of your inbox, you can re-register any time and as many times as you need.Register for the meeting here ››
Financial Literacy & Management
Registration Open
(for ages 14-22)
Money Moves: An active camp for financial education
Referral Deadline Closed
Ready to Achieve Mentoring Summer Program (RAMP)
The Ready to Achieve Mentoring Summer Program (RAMP) will span 5 months from May 2026 through September 2026! This career-focused mentoring program is intended for at-risk youth with disabilities. RAMP is a nationwide program, and ECNV is the vendor offering it in Northern Virginia. For questions, please contact Kevina Brown at kbrown@ecnv.org.
Referral Deadline: April 30, 2026
Thriving Solo: June 2026 Registration is Open
Registration is now open for the June 2026 session of Thriving Solo. This will be an adult class for individuals 14-22 years old.
Details are in the registration link ››
ECNV Programs and Support
Read about our programs and support aimed to empower people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives, pursue their aspirations, and actively participate in their communities.
ECNV's I Am Self-Advocacy Program
Healthy Relationships and Communication in the Workplace
Personal Assistance Services (PAS)
Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP)
Referral Form for Travel Training
ECNV can also offer 1:1 support in work readiness and independent living skills.
Fill out the ECNV interest form to be contacted about individualized services
ECNV Lunch and Learn Series
Join us on the second Friday of each month to learn more about Social Security benefits like SSI and SSDI. In a welcoming, practical setting, ECNV will help you understand how to prepare, what documents you need, and how to avoid common application delays while answering your questions.
Second session: April 10, 2026 - The Long Application Minus the Overwhelm
Register for Our ECNV Benefits Mini Series here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DzHQcPZ4TV-DcAXHjrj3OA
Coming Soon
Community Guide
Peer Support Group Open House Peer Support Group Interest Form
Fill out the ECNV interest form to be contacted about the above classes.
These courses are under development and will launch in 2026.
Connect and Engage: Join Our Social Circle
The ENDependents Social Group
ECNV’s Social Group will take place April 24,2026. Location to be Determined. Stay Tuned!
If you're interested in joining us, please email us at info@ecnv.org. Come join us to chat about anything you'd like including current events, what's happening with you, exciting plans and anything else you'd like to chat about in a fun and safe environment over a delicious meal.
ENDependents Social Group Sign Up ››
The ECNV Metro Club is back!
This is no April Fools’ joke. The ECNV Metro Club is back! Learn from experienced trainees who are experts in the metro system or acquire new skills. Everyone is welcome! We will meet at Franconia Metro to learn about the metro rail system and the Fairfax Connector. Afterward, we will board a bus to Springfield Mall to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The actual show time is yet to be announced. If you enjoy this trip, please also sign up for our 1:1 travel training sessions with our nine other experienced travel trainers.
Date: Tuesday April 1, 2026 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Meeting Location: Franconia Metro
Service dogs are welcome! Please bring your own SMARTrip Cards, responsible for your own movie tickets and lunch.
Advocacy Updates
ECNV’s Impact Hub
Advocacy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. ECNV’s new Impact Hub gives you the tools to get started and the confidence to take action. Here you’ll find news and action alerts, clear guides to advocacy, opportunities to serve on local boards, and a lookup tool to connect with your elected officials. It’s a one-stop space to make your voice heard and drive change in your community. Visit the page today to get started!
Grant Updates:
No updates to share right now, but we’re always working on new things—check back soon!
Check Out ECNV's Zazzle
Support ECNV by purchasing and wearing some of our unique clothes and accessories with the ECNV logo. There are lots of choices and five percent of the proceeds go back to ECNV to continue the awesome and meaningful work we all are doing for disability advocacy and justice in the northern Virginia area.
ECNV Upcoming Calendar
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Around Town
ECNV participated in the Virginia Latino Organizations VACOLAO's Advocacy Day
On February 3, 2026, ECNV participated in the Virginia Latino Organizations VACOLAO's Advocacy Day, which was held during the General Assembly sessions in Richmond. We asked our Delegates and Senators to invest in the health and education of our communities, to expand access to affordable housing, and to uphold the constitutional rights of families across Virginia. Among VACOLAO partner organizations like LULAC VA, DMIA, VACIR Legal AID Justice Center, and HACAN, together, we were able to make a real impact.
It was an opportunity that exemplifies the powerful impact of community organizing in advancing Latino rights in Virginia, encompassing individuals with disabilities, and fostering a sense of optimism as younger leaders emerge, building on the legacy of the first generation of Latino advocates.
ECNV Launches Knowledge + Action Support Groups
February 2026, ECNV officially started Knowledge + Action Support groups, which are co-facilitated by Community Peer Mentors with disabilities, health, and mental health conditions. Our mission with groups will be to mutually educate, empower, make connections, and provide access to what people with disabilities and health conditions need and want. Identify important issues and action that will lead to wider access to disability rights, benefits, services, and programs of interest and advocate for disability, justice, and equity.
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. They provided information on travel training and other Metro Programs such as Metro Access, Senior Smart Trip, and Disability Reduced Fare. It was a lively event with panelists and several remote locations so that Arlingtonians could attend virtually as well as in person. There were several resources for older Arlingtonians and people with disabilities.
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!
At ECNV, we are always committed to promoting health and well-being in our community by offering valuable information about our services during the event. This year, the fair had nearly 400 visitors, including students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Advocacy in Action: ECNV Takes on Capitol Hill
The ECNV 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.
