September 2026 ECNV E-newsletter
ECNV's Monthly Spotlight
Helping Older Adults Stay Connected, Active, and Informed
As we age, staying socially connected and engaged is just as important as maintaining our physical health. At ECNV, we are committed to helping older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers build meaningful connections through educational workshops, recreational activities, support groups, and community events that promote independence and well-being.
This month, we're also highlighting resources from Fairfax County's Adult and Aging Partner Toolkit, which offers valuable information on caregiver support, fall prevention, disability resources, scam prevention, health and wellness programs, and services available throughout our community. These resources complement ECNV's mission of helping older adults remain active, informed, and connected.
Whether you're looking for opportunities to meet new people, learn new skills, or find support for yourself or a loved one, ECNV is here to help.
Explore ECNV Adult Programming and Connections
ECNV offers Personal Assistance Services
Learn about Fairfax County Older Adult Resources
Upcoming Classes!
NEW! Empower: A Youth Advocacy Fellowship
ECNV is launching this year-long, private pay fellowship to promote confidence, provide real leadership experience, develop a national advocacy perspective, and nurture peer relationships. The fellowship brings together four complementary components:
I Am Self-Advocacy (IASA) Curriculum | Nov 2026 - Jan 2027
An 8-week structured curriculum building the foundational skills of effective self-advocacy
Individualized Mentoring | Jan 2027 - Oct 2027
Individualized Mentoring: Each fellow is matched with a dedicated peer mentor for the full program year. Once the IASA curriculum concludes, fellows will meet twice a month with their mentors, following a plan personalized to their goals identified through a transition assessment.
Peer Advisory Committee (PAC) | Nov 2026 - Oct 2027
Fellows will participate in ECNV's Peer Advisory Committee, providing input, feedback, and direction on programs that serve the disability community. Across four structured phases, fellows engage with ECNV leadership, and drive a year-long project that is presented to ECNV's Board of Directors.
NCIL Annual Conference | July 2027
Fellows will attend the National Council on Independent Living Annual Conference in Washington, DC, a four-day national gathering of disability rights advocates, leaders, and policymakers. The experience includes workshops, advocacy panels, Hill visits, exhibit fairs, and a March & Rally at the U.S. Capitol.
Our programs are rooted in the disability rights movement's core principle: Nothing about us without us. The Empower Fellowship is an extension of that mission, a program built to serve young people at a pivotal moment in their lives, with the depth and quality that moment deserves.
Dates: November 2026 - October 2027
Eligibility: Young people with disabilities, ages 14-26, residing in Northern Virginia or Washington, DC
*Monthly payment plan available
Latinos with Disabilities Community Series
ECNV staff, Jimena Barron and Rosalia Fajardo, will be presenters for the United Cerebral Palsy “Latinos with Disabilities Community Series,” a webinar series uniting Latino voices, lived experiences, families, professionals, and advocates to build a more inclusive future.
Webinars begin September 15th and run through October 6th, every Tuesday, 9am - 10 am EST.
All sessions will be presented in English with live Spanish interpretation.
Session Dates:
September 15
September 22
September 29
October 6
NEW! ECNV Benefits Navigation Mini-Series
We're back at it over here at ECNV. Our Spring Lunch and Learns covering all things Benefits Enrollment for supports like SSI/SSD were very well received and this fall, we're doing it again. This time we will meet on the second Fridays in October and November, but our first session will be Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:00 pm.
Please mark the dates on your calendar and all sessions are Virtual:
September 17 (Thursday)
October 9
November 13
December 11
Get your questions ready and join us in a practical but friendly atmosphere that will help you better understand the programs right for you and your loved ones with disabilities.
Register for Our ECNV Benefits Mini-Series here
Need to submit a question ahead of the session?
If you require any reasonable accommodation to participate, please email traceeg@ecnv.org, at least 5 business days before the meeting.
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
The next session will be on September 14, 2026, at 7pm. Note this date change. Aging Solo will meet on the second Monday of September, the 14 in observance of Labor Day Holiday on September 7
September Speaker: Cortney Heykoop, Navigating the Path to and In Retirement
Cortney Heykoop is a Special Needs Mom and Financial Advisor. She opened her own firm 7 years ago with a focus on serving families impacted by disability. Cortney loves working with other families like hers. She not only brings a breadth of financial knowledge but a comprehensive, holistic approach that includes helping families navigate the complexities of governmental resources, disability planning, estate planning and of course their financial plan.
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
Self-Advocacy Skills Training
Youth & Young Adults (ages 14-22) Virtual Program:
Sep 28 – Nov 20, 2026
DARS Referral Deadline: Sept 14th
Own Your Path: Navigating Your Disability with Confidence and Clarity
Youth & Young Adults (ages 14-22) Virtual Classes:
Nov 9-13, 2026
Online registration: Closes Oct 12th
Adult 1:1 Services:
Own Your Path
Available Year-Round
Workplace Readiness Training
Healthy Relationships & Communication in the Workplace
Youth & Young Adults (ages 14-22) Virtual Classes:
Dec 7-11, 2026
Online registration: Closes Nov 9th
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
Youth Services 2026-2027 Calendar
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 September 25, 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
A Metro Adventure to Olive Garden
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026Time: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Learn More About Sept Group ››
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!
Other Items
Check Out New Swag on 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% 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.
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 Upcoming Calendar
Check out our updated calendar page with the latest information and events.
ECNV Board Meeting: September 16, 2026, 6PM-7:30PM (virtual zoom)
Questions? Contact us at board@ecnv.org
ECNV Around Town
Incoming Flu Vaccination Season
Working together to build healthier communities, Rosalia Fajardo, Director of Disability Strategic Partnerships at ECNV, is proud to partner with Walgreens to provide free flu vaccines to members of the multicultural diaspora who serve on the Fairfax County Health Department’s Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC). Confirmed during the Council's June 2026 meeting, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to preventive healthcare, promoting health equity, and supporting the community leaders who connect people with disabilities and diverse communities to essential health resources.
ECNV's Joint Social Club Game Night Fun!
On July 31st, ECNV hosted a lively game night for the RAMP Summer Camp and it was a blast! Everyone came together to socialize, have fun, and forge new connections. It truly was a memorable evening! Don’t forget to keep an eye on ECNV's calendar for our monthly Social Group outings, which happen on the last Friday of every month, along with other exciting group activities!
RAMP Competed in the 2026 Cardboard Boat Regatta
On August 8th, Kevina Brown, and the RAMP team competed for the second year at the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta. RAMP students take on the project of drafting, building and floating the boat.
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.
