August 2026 E-newsletter
Cherie Takemoto Receives Judy Heumann Award
On Monday, July 20, 2026, ECNV Lead, Disability Justice and Strategic Innovation, Dr. Cherie Takemoto, proudly celebrated 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!
ECNV Holds Annual Board Meeting
ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia held its annual board meeting on June 17, 2026, bringing together board members to review the organization's work and elect officers for the coming year.
Board Chair's Message
Chair Susan Picerno delivered remarks highlighting ECNV's year of accomplishments, programs, and advocacy. For the full text of Susan's remarks read here.
Board Leadership Re-elected
The board re-elected Susan Picerno as Chair and elected the following officers:
Vice-Chair: Keri Gray
Treasurer: Heidi Bacote
Secretary: Vannice Evans
ECNV Board of Directors
Susan Picerno, Chair
Keri Gray, Vice-Chair
Heidi Bacote, Treasurer
Vannice Evans, Secretary
Pedro Villela
Kelly Buckland
Aída Janet Pitot Bolívar
Meet the dedicated leaders helping guide ECNV's mission! Our Board Members' updated bios are now available on our About page. Scroll to the bottom to learn more about each member and the experience they bring to ECNV.
Meet Our New Board Member: Aída Janet Pitot Bolívar
Aída Janet Pitot Bolívar is a Seasonal Instructor Leader with the City of Alexandria's Department of Recreation and Cultural Activities, where she leads programming for adults 50+. A native of Peru, Aída brings years of community service rooted in a deep commitment to equity and inclusion.
From her early years as an Akela (wolf pack leader) in a Scout group in Callao, Peru, to her advocacy work in the United States on behalf of people with mental health conditions, Aída has consistently served underrepresented communities. She has volunteered with NAMI's In Our Own Voice program and with Pathways Homes and brings her lived experience with disability to her commitment to ECNV's mission.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Aída is passionate about ensuring that underserved communities—particularly those navigating mental health challenges, housing instability, and domestic violence—have access to the resources and representation they deserve.
ECNV's Monthly Spotlight
Financial Literacy and Management
More Than a Budget: How Financial Literacy Empowers Youth with Disabilities to Own Their Future
We all know that young person are preparing to make the leap to adulthood. Protected for years with financial safety nets, they’re now tasked with learning new skills, new muscles they never needed to flex. We celebrate first jobs, first paychecks, first steps towards independence, but the question we don’t ask often enough: What happens after the paycheck arrives?
Financial Literacy Full Article ››
Upcoming Classes!
Career & Workplace Peer Support Circle
Navigating work, career changes, job searches and job loss can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re doing it on your own.
Join our Career & Workplace Peer Support Circle, a welcoming, judgment-free group led by two experienced volunteers who bring deep knowledge of workplace dynamics, career growth, and employment challenges.
Once a month ECNV peer facilitators will lead the group and provide a safe place to share, learn, and support one another through real-life experiences.
Join ECNV's Aging Solo
Next session will be on August 3, 2026, where there will be a brand new and exciting speaker for you.
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
Youth (ages 14-22) Classes:
Oct. 19-23, 2026
Registration Closes Sept 15
Adult 1:1 Services:
Money Matters 101 & 201 Available Year-Round
Money Moves: An active camp for financial education
August 3 – 7, 2026
(for DARS-referred youth ages 14–22)
Referral Deadline Passed
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.
Career and Workplace Peer Support Circle
ECNV's I Am Self-Advocacy Program
Healthy Relationships and Communication in the Workplace
Peer Support Group Interest Form
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
Connect and Engage: Join Our Social Circle
The ENDependents Social Group
ECNV’s Social Group will take place August 28, 2026. Location to be announced. 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 ››
ECNV Metro Club
There will be no Metro Trip for August. A poll will be out mid-August to vote on upcoming ideas.
Let’s Have Coffee & Learn About Community Resources (¡Tomémonos un Cafecito y Conozcamos los Recursos de la Comunidad!)
¡Café y conversación!
Lunes, 10 de agosto | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 300
The Arc of Northern Virginia y el ECNV - ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia te invitan a conocer recursos para tu familia: servicios de discapacidad, vida independiente y programas comunitarios—todo en español.
Sin registro, ¡pasa cuando quieras!
¿Preguntas? Contacta a Majo Flores: majo.flores@thearcofnova.org
https://thearcofnova.org/event/lets-have-coffee-learn/
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Coffee & Conversation!
Monday, August 10 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 300
The Arc of Northern Virginia and the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia invite you to learn about resources for your family: disability services, independent living, and community programs—all in Spanish.
No registration needed—drop in anytime!
Support ECNV and Treat Yourself to Sweet Treats
Save the Date for sweet treats and an opportunity to support ECNV’s RAMP program! Come to Jake’s Ice Cream (6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041) on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm!
Help support Jake’s Ice Cream and RAMP! 10% of all sales (except gift cards) will be donated to RAMP at the end of the event!
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!
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 5%t 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.
Small Change, Big Impact for ECNV
Turn your everyday purchases into support for ECNV!
Did you know that the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) is part of RoundUp.org!
With RoundUp.org, you can automatically round up your everyday credit card purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the spare change to ECNV. Those small amounts add up to make a big impact in supporting people with disabilities to live independently and fully participate in their communities.
Getting started takes less than a minute:
Link your Visa or Mastercard
Shop as usual
Your spare change supports ECNV automatically each month
ECNV Around Town
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. Leer en Español ››
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!
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.
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!
Hill Visits
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 was Hill Day. Many ECNV staff visited Capitol Hill, meeting with their respective members of Congress, to advocate for independent living and disability rights priorities.
Andrew, Elaine, Jimena, Laura and Eddie went to Congressman Walkinshaw's office. As they arrived at the office location, Congressman Walkinshaw stepped out briefly, and they were able to chat with him.
Explore our Newsletter Archive to access all of our current and past newsletters!
Be on the lookout for a distinct "Be in the Know" email, which will be distributed within the next few weeks.
