July 2026 E-newsletter
ECNV's Monthly Spotlight
Building Connections: Mindy Niland's Metro Social Club Story
What started as a way to support travel training participants has grown into a thriving community where friendships—and even a few romances—have blossomed. We sat down with Mindy to talk about the Metro Social Club, memorable moments, dream adventures, and a fun fact involving a four-legged social media star.
ECNV Welcomes New Youth Service Coordinator: Hannah Choi
"My name is Hannah (she/her), and I’m excited to be a part of ECNV! From my first interactions, I could already tell this is a welcoming and passionate community, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and learning more about your stories and experiences. I hope to continue growing as an advocate for accessibility and opportunity while collaborating and working alongside people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. As I get to know ECNV and the team better, I hope to become more involved and contribute in meaningful ways. Outside of work, I enjoy arts and crafts, café hopping, and exploring local businesses and restaurants as a Yelp Elite member. I’m excited for this new journey and look forward to connecting with you all!"
Adult Programming and Connections
Adults with disabilities can access a variety of individualized services through ECNV, designed to promote independence, confidence, and community participation. Check out some of the services we provideone-to-one and refer an individual today.
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. To learn more ››
Join ECNV's Aging Solo
Enjoy your July 4 Holiday celebrating 250 Years, the Aging Solo will NOT meet on Monday, July 6th. We will see you 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
Registration Closed
(for ages 14-22)
Money Moves: An active camp for financial education
August 3 – 7, 2026
(for DARS clients aged 14-22)
DARS Referral Deadline: July 6, 2026
Thriving Solo: 2nd Summer Session (Just Added!)
Registration is now open for the July 2026 2nd Summer session of Thriving Solo. This will be a class for individuals 14-22 years old. Training sessions will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons for two consecutive weeks.
Sign up today on the Thriving Solo Registration Form! Registration closes July 6, 2026.
Details can be found on the program page
Reasonable accommodations may be requested in the registration form. Any questions about the program or accessibility are welcome at info@ecnv.org.
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
Coming Soon
Community Guide: helps individuals discover community opportunities, build natural supports, and increase independence through meaningful community connections.
Community Housing Guide: provide one-on-one support to help individuals with disabilities move into and successfully maintain independent housing in the community.
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 July 31,2026. 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 ››
ECNV Metro Club
Join ECNV Metro Club, learn from experienced trainees who are experts in the metro system or acquire new skills. Everyone is welcome!
Date: Friday, July 10th 2026
Time: 10:30 am- 3:00 pm
Meeting Location: Eisenhower Metro
Meet us at Eisenhower Metro to learn all about the Metro system and our travel training program. This interactive outing will include:
A guided Metro station tour
Introduction to all Metro lines
Overview of safety features
A look at who works at Metro
Demonstration on how to use a SmarTrip card
Afterward, we’ll hop on the 32 Dash bus to Cameron Run Regional Park for swimming and lunch.
**Please bring your own SmarTrip card and money for lunch
Alternative activity in case of rain: Dunn Loring Metro to Tyson’s Corner for Level 99 or movie.
Advocacy Updates
Advocacy Update: What's Happening in Washington
It has been a busy and deeply concerning few weeks at the federal level, and we want to make sure our community stays informed. Three major developments have come out of Washington this month that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities: a Department of Justice memo that threatens decades of progress on community integration, the fragmentation of special education and civil rights protections at the Department of Education, and new Medicaid work requirement rules that put coverage at risk for people in the Medicaid expansion population.
Read more on the Impact Hub, and look out for more information from ECNV in the coming weeks about actions that you can take.
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 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.
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
Every penny makes a difference!
#SupportECNV #RoundUpForGood #DisabilityInclusion #GiveBack #NonprofitSupport #SpareChangeBigImpact
ECNV Around Town
School Health Nurses Program Conference
On Monday, June 22, 2026, Rosalia Fajardo, Director of Disability Strategic Partnerships at ECNV, was invited to serve as a keynote speaker at the School Health Nurses Program Conference, an initiative of the Fairfax County Health Department. The program plays a critical role in ensuring access to health services, including immunizations, and supporting community initiatives that extend beyond school walls to promote healthier communities for all.
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!!
Explore our Newsletter Archiveto 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.
