Thursday, March 12, 2009

Contact:  Kurt Larrick 703-228-1775 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)

Emergency Fund Created to Prevent Homelessness

Arlington County Board chairman, developer seek partners

ARLINGTON, Va. - Arlington County Board Chairman Barbara Favola and community leader John Shooshan today announced the creation of a new emergency fund to help prevent homelessness.

The Shooshan Company, founded by Shooshan, donated $50,000 to launch the Emergency Needs-Homelessness Prevention Fund and has pledged to match the next $50,000 contributed by the community.

"With this generous gift, John Shooshan is helping all of us meet the ever-growing needs of a community coping with the worst recession this nation has seen in decades," Favola said. "We hope that others will follow John's lead and donate to a fund that will help families and individuals who find themselves in dire circumstances."

Arlington is not immune to the economic crisis, Favola said. She noted that each week, more than 1,000 Arlington families need help putting food on the table. During October, November and December of 2008, the average number of people seeking emergency assistance for rent, utility bills and medical services rose 33 percent over the average number seeking such assistance during the same period in 2007.

The County has responded by increasing support to the social network, but seeks a new partnership with the community to make sure the safety net stays strong, Favola said.

The new fund will provide rent, food and other services to Arlingtonians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Donations will reach those in need through specialized safety net grants to non-profit organizations. John Shooshan noted that "This fund will enable those who have the means and the desire to help their neighbors."

How to give
Contributions to the fund can be made via checks payable to the Arlington Community Foundation - Homelessness Prevention Fund and sent to 2525 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201. You also can donate online. The Arlington Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes, protects and improves the quality of life for people living and working in Arlington. All contributions are tax deductible.

For more information, visit the County's Web site or the Arlington Community Foundation's Web site. 

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency�s highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America�s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.