SOHO Timeline

evolution

2001 City of Alexandria identifies a need for mentoring and arts programs for youth in Alexandria, Virginia in Developmental Assets Survey

2002 SOHO-Old Town is founded in a partnership between City of Alexandria’s Juvenile Court Service Unit & The Art League

2003 SOHO is featured in Washington Post and on WAMU 88.5

2004 SOHO receives Leadership Fairfax Northern Virginia Community Partnership Award for City of Alexandria Court Service Unit and The Art League

2007

SOHO Sisterhood developed for program graduates to maintain circle of support
The book, Healing the Inner City Child: Creative Art Therapies with At-Risk Youth, includes a chapter about Space of Her Own

2008

SOHO West End started at Hammond Middle School. The program is volunteer-run on a shoestring budget
Visual Arts Center of Richmond replicates SOHO

2009

SOHO wins Virginia Juvenile Justice Association Community Service Award US President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities; SOHO also wins semifinalist designation for Coming Up Taller Award
Salute to Women Making a Difference Award goes to Alice Merrill and Linda Odell

2010

SOHO umbrella organization developed with support from Alexandria’s City Attorney, City Manager & Court Service Unit and The Art League: SOHO -Space of Her Own, Inc. attains 501 (c) (3) status with goals to foster mentor relationships beyond the initial program year and expand to reach girls in other communities
Alexandria NAACP gives SOHO Community Service Award
SOHO earns recognition from Harvard University’s Innovations in America
Government Awards Program as a “Bright Idea”
SOHO’s co-founders, Linda Odell & Alice Merrill, recognized as Living Legends of Alexandria

2011

Space of Her Own, Inc. receives Partner in Education Award from Alexandria City Public Schools
SOHO is featured in National Education Association Magazine as part of anti-bullying campaign
SOHO’s director receives scholarship to Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program

2012

SOHO is awarded grant from ACT for Alexandria to fund strategic planning consultant
SOHO wins free marketing campaign from AD2DC, including new website and marketing videos
SOHO is identified in City of Alexandria’s recognition as one of 100 Best Communities for Young People
Space of Her Own, Inc. receives second Partner in Education Award from Alexandria City Public Schools

2013

West End SOHO closes. After 4 years of volunteering as the program director, Amy Creed is called upon to promote SOHO expansion as board president
SOHO is accepted as member of Virginia Mentoring Partnership
SOHO is awarded a financial improvement grant ACT and is partnered with a national accounting firm that specializes in nonprofits
SOHO is awarded a one-year, full-time AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer via Virginia Mentoring Partnership
SOHO director is awarded participation in ACT’s Project LEAD to promote leadership development
SOHO partners with Alexandria’s Juvenile Court Service Unit and Seaport Foundation to pilot Space of His Own for boys during the 2013-2014 school year

2014

SOHO, with Jefferson Houston Elementary School, George Washington University, Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, Juvenile Court Service Unit and The American Association of Art Therapy begins to plan a school-based SOHO to start in the fall of 2014
SOHO is awarded funding from ACT to work with fund development consultant
SOHO is awarded a full-time, second-year AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer
SOHO and The Art League begin fundraising to reinstate a program serving West End girls
SOHO partners with Arlington Public Schools to develop Arlington SOHO at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School
Amy Creed, Board President, receives Making a Difference Award from the Alexandria Commission for Women
SOHO after school programs begin the school year for students of Jefferson- Houston, Hoffman-Boston, Maury, Mt. Vernon

2015