Guide to Giving 2020

These local nonprofits are providing support to those hit hardest by the pandemic. Here's how you can support them.

Phoenix House Mid-Atlantic (PHMA)

Over the past 58 years, Phoenix House, formerly Vanguard Services Unlimited, has helped more than 50,000 patients reclaim their lives from the ravages of substance use disorders and related mental health issues. Locally, the nonprofit has five locations that house nine programs, including classes, outpatient counseling, day treatment and residential care. Demeter House treats women, including pregnant women and moms with young children. Nuevo Dia serves Spanish-speaking men. The Phoenix Program provides residential treatment for men. With the arrival of coronavirus, PHMA has seen an increase in calls to its welcome center for treatment information, as well as an increase in the number of assessments being performed by clinical staff. It is seeking donations of personal protective equipment, masks, disinfectant and gloves to keep patients and staff safe and healthy.

Headquartered: D.C. metro area
Serves: D.C. metro area
What a donation provides:
❱❱ $250 provides needed Covid-19 supplies for patients and staff.
❱❱ $1,000 provides residential and outpatient services for an uninsured or underinsured patient.
❱❱ $5,000 provides much-needed computer hardware and software for the provision of telehealth services.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers serve on PHMA’s board and committees, and help with administrative duties in marketing and fundraising. PHMA offers unpaid internships for students interested in counseling, finance, marketing and fundraising careers.

Postpartum Support Virginia (PSVa)

Postpartum Support Virginia provides educational programs, outreach and recovery resources for women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). PMADs are the No. 1 complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting more than 20% of childbearing women, yet for many remain undiagnosed and untreated. PSVa works to ensure that women are screened for PMADs and provides free social support groups, peer mentors, links to specially trained mental health professionals and more. PSVa is the only Virginia nonprofit focused specifically on maternal mental health.

Headquartered: Arlington
Serves: All of Virginia, with 32 support groups statewide and specific training programs for nurses and mental health providers throughout the commonwealth.
What a donation provides:
❱❱ $100 funds the operation of PSVa’s Warm Line for one week.
❱❱ $250 pays for one month of free support group meetings.
❱❱ $500 pays for a one-day nurses training session on how to talk about and screen for PMADs.
❱❱ $1,000 provides a full-day training session for peer mentor and social support volunteers.
❱❱ $10,000 funds a full-year program for a hospital or community center that includes a twice-monthly social support group, staff education, information cards and postpartum planning packets for distribution to moms.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are trained to lead social support groups or become peer mentors, or to field calls to the PSVa Warm Line. They also assist with fundraisers and special events, community outreach, social media support and administrative tasks. Internship opportunities and service hours are available for high school and college students.

PRS and PRS CrisisLink

PRS provides behavioral health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services throughout Northern Virginia. Its vision is to change and save lives by empowering hope, safety, recovery, wellness, independence and community integration. Services include the PRS CrisisLink hotline, textline and chat, as well as Recovery Academy day programs, employment and community support services and supported housing. The coronavirus pandemic has increased demand for telehealth mental health services, and the PRS call center continues to operate 24/7 through remote operations. As clients experience temporary unemployment, the organization is also seeing an increase in food insecurity, and alternative needs for transportation and rental assistance.

Headquartered: Oakton
Serves: Northern Virginia
What a donation provides:
❱❱ $250 sponsors training for one PRS CrisisLink hotline volunteer who can answer 450 calls per year.
❱❱ $500 provides emergency support for clients experiencing job loss during the pandemic (support may include gift cards for food insecurity, rental assistance and continuation of PRS services during gaps in Medicaid funding).
❱❱ $1,000 funds scholarships for four PRS Recovery Academy clients to take an adult education course or class at a community college to complete their GED or undergraduate degree.
Volunteer opportunities: Hotline/textline workers provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services via phone and/or text to community members calling the CrisisLink hotline. Volunteers must be 21 or older, undergo 60 hours of training and make a weekly commitment at the Oakton call center for a minimum of one year. Volunteer opportunities also are available in PRS Recovery Academies and the administrative office.

Shirlington Employment and Education Center

SEEC provides a safe venue for day laborers—primarily immigrants—who await employers in need of short-term workers. Because employment has come to a standstill during the coronavirus crisis, SEEC is currently seeking donations to purchase meals from local Latino restaurants to provide to the workers. In addition, SEEC is seeking donations of $100 that workers can use to pay their landlords.

Headquartered: Arlington (Arlington Mill Community Center)
Serves: Arlington
What a donation provides:
❱❱ $100 provides rental assistance for one worker for one month.
❱❱ $200 to $300 provides meals for 30 day laborers from a local restaurant.
❱❱ $5,000 provides meals for day laborers for almost a month.
Volunteer opportunities: SEEC volunteers assist clients in finding employment and provide tutoring for day laborers.