May 2025 E-Newsletter
ECNV Welcomes Our New Independent Living Specialist
Welcome Erica! Erica Simmons is a native Washingtonian. She is a highly skilled professional with over 15 years of experience in Workforce Development, Social Services, and Special Education. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for helping individuals navigate their career paths and achieve long-term success.
Erica has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Bowie State University. She continues to advance her knowledge and skills by pursuing a master’s in human resources development. Erica brings a strategic, analytical, and client-centered approach to her work. Erica is a certified career coach, with training in predictive and agile project management and foundational coaching, further enhancing her ability to support individuals in attaining their goals. She is dedicated to helping others succeed.
Explore Our Benefits Counseling Services
Medicare Part D, Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
SSI / SSDI
Benefits Counseling Referrals ››
Watch the Latest Benefits Information Session ››
ECNV Now Offers QuickMatch for Finding a Personal Assistant!
We know finding a Personal Assistant (PA) can be tough. QuickMatch simplifies the process with a searchable database of qualified PAs ready to assist with daily activities like bathing, cooking, shopping, and more.
QuickMatch Information Page ››
Upcoming Workshops and Classes!
Thriving Solo is Now Open!
Thriving Solo - Thriving Solo is the perfect class for people with disabilities who want to learn more about living on their own. These classes will help participants build skills and understanding in the key areas of living independently: cooking and meal preparation, daily routine, stress management, travel training, budgeting and money management, self-advocacy, and more! Classes will be led by ECNV’s Independent Living Specialists and include both classroom instruction, group activities, and hands-on experiences and field trips. These classes are led by and for people with disabilities and participants will also participate alongside peers and develop social skills and build relationships as they work through the course.
Sign up today with the Online Registration Form! Registration closes May 15, 2025.
Participants must be Northern Virginia residents
Shape Your Future: Summer RAMP now Open!
Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) - This is a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program designed to help youth and young adults develop the skills necessary to further their education and/or secure employment. NEW! We are launching our inaugural Summer RAMP program this year! We will begin onboarding referred students in May for this 16-week program. This offering, while a consolidated version of our 9-month program model, will still provide students with job and community exploration activities, skill-building exercises, and enrichment opportunities. Please contact Kevina Brown at kbrown@ecnv.org. All referrals must come through DARS, and we will prioritize those we receive prior to June.
Money Matters Registration Open for Summer 2025
Money Matters 101 is a five-part Financial Skills training to help individuals understand and manage their money. We are currently accepting registrations for our Summer class: Wednesdays from 4-5pm from July 2–30. Eligibility is open to FIS Waiver and DARS referrals as well as anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about money. Visit our Money Matters program page to learn more about the program. Registration deadline is June 21, 2025.
Money Matters 101 Registration ››
Coming Soon
New Support Group: The Aging Solo DMV Collective: Aging Solo doesn’t mean aging alone! The Aging Solo DMV Collective is a BRAND-NEW welcoming, monthly gathering where we share experiences, challenges, and triumphs of navigating life on our own terms. This group also welcomes all who have previously taken the Aging Solo six-week class offered by ECNV as well as other organizations, and if you're taking it for the first time. Link will be provided to all who register or email info@ecnv.org for more information.
Money Matters 201
Peer Support Group Open House Peer Support Group Interest Form
Fill out the ECNV interest form to be contacted about the above classes.
Adult Social Club Outing—Friday, June 13th
Join us for a fun and educational day out!
Date: Friday, June 13th
Time: 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Meeting Location: ECNV Office
1550 Crystal Dr. #810, Arlington, VA 22202
We will hop on the Blue Line (metro) to Pentagon City for lunch (please bring money to purchase lunch)!
This outing will also include:
Introduction to all Metro lines
Demonstration on how to use a SmarTrip Card
Overview of safety features on the bus
Experience taking Metrobus (possibly the 16A or 10M) back to ECNV
Service dogs are welcome! Please bring your own SMARTrip cards.
Or email info@ecnv.org for more information.
ECNV Youth Programs and Support
Read about our programs and support aimed to empower youth with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives, pursue their aspirations, and actively participate in their communities.
ECNV's I Am Self-Advocacy Program: May 2025 ››
Grant Updates:
Bienvenidos Todos Webinar Series
Save the Date: May 8, 2025 for the next Bienvenidos webinar!
Join us for an informative session on Supported Decision-Making, a topic that is frequently requested by families and individuals seeking support services. In this seminar Majo Flores from The Arch of Northern Virginia will present on
Supportive Decision-Making, a topic focused on the different legal authorities that can assist a person, their loved ones, or caregivers in making important decisions about their future. These decisions could be financial, educational, medical, or any other type — big or small.
Bienvenidos Todos will host webinar presentations about disability resources and services especially for Latinos with disabilities, their families, caregivers, advocates, and those who serve Latinos. Monthly webinars will cover disability topics especially as they pertain to Latinos and their different residency statuses. Webinars are available in English and Spanish.
Welcoming Latinos with Disabilities and their Families Provider Online Seminars
Save the Date: May 15, 2025 (Third Thursday of the Month) for the next Providers Seminar!
• How are Latinos and their communities different from the mainstream?
• How are they different from each other?
• Why is outreach to Latino communities so important?
Register for Provider Seminar ››
Spring is in the Air: Check Out ECNV's Shirts and More on 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.
Help Us Restock Our DME Closet!
We are currently in urgent need of:
Wheelchairs
Rollators (walkers with seats)
Adult briefs (new, unopened packaging only)
If you have any of these items that you can donate, you’ll be making a huge difference for community members who need them!
For questions or to arrange a pickup, contact Samantha at samanthaw@ecnv.org. Please share to help us spread the word! Thank you for your support in helping us keep mobility and dignity accessible to all.
ECNV Upcoming Calendar
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Around Town
Vaccines for All!
In 2025, ECNV will continue with its community vaccination campaign and distribution of COVID tests in Northern Virginia, thus fulfilling the mission of caring for diverse communities, guaranteeing access to vaccines, and accessing free COVID home tests. In addition to these activities, ECNV also participated in other events related to the implementation of the Bienvenidos Todos Project and RACE project.
ECNV continues with its free vaccination program for people from multicultural communities! We will be providing flu vaccines throughout at different events and health fairs.
Disability Policy Seminar Hill Day
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, along with with The Arc, The Autism Society, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), Caring Across Generations, Disability Belongs™, National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) participated in Hill Day.
