Our Response to COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, we have pivoted to provide essential support to 70 SOHO girls and their families, who are among the most vulnerable in Alexandria. Marginalized youth are likely to bear the heaviest burdens of trauma and economic fallout from COVID-19. The importance of our mission has never been so clear – Today, empowering SOHO girls means ensuring they and their families emerge from this crisis with the strength, resilience, support and resources needed to thrive.
Many of SOHO’s parents and guardians have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. Our program managers are helping them connect with services like food, rent assistance, and internet access so that SOHO girls and their siblings can keep up with schoolwork.
With our treasured bunk bed-building and bedroom/space transformation weekends cancelled for this year’s mentees, we have committed over $20,000 to directly support our families in need.
  • We are providing $100 digital grocery store/pharmacy gift cards and delivering weekly dinners to families along with masks, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and other essential items, as available.
  • Mentees are receiving home deliveries of fun and engaging art & science projects and books at least once a month.
  • Virtual group wellness chats are happening weekly.
  • Our devoted mentors are scheduling regular phone and video sessions with their mentees to ensure that they are safe, emotionally secure, and socially connected.
  • We have created an emergency fund to assist with critical needs on a case-by-case basis.
  • Our board members, most of whom are SOHO mentors, are contributing thousands of dollars to meet these needs.

In June we were awarded a $10,000 ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund Grant from ACT for Alexandria which has enabled SOHO to continue emergency support for SOHO’s vulnerable families throughout the summer of 2020. Watch the video below to see how much a difference this has made to SOHO’s families.

If you are interested in supporting SOHO’s girls and families during this time, perhaps by collecting donations as needs arise, or by hosting a small fundraising event, please reach out to us at  soho@spaceofherown.org.