Connections Newsletter

May-Jun-Jul 2022

Greetings fellow Bridge Builders!

Welcome to the May-Jun-Jul edition of our newsletter, Connections, where we share updates and ways you can get involved with our mission. We hope you are inspired learning more about how ABB has come alongside those affected by COVID-19 in Arlington.

Hello faith warriors and street stompers who bring hope and God’s love in real ways.

In May, we successfully held the Festival de Familia with neighbors at our Food Pantry parking lot with fun STEM games, face painting and a moon bounce for the children.

In June, we launched our $30 for 30 K Campaign with our President Joel White speaking on the radio about how we hope to reach the least of our neighbors in Arlington. We also successfully ended our 6 week ESL program Coffee & Conversation for the summer.

in July, we convened 2 important meetings with key community leaders. First, we gathered at Cherrydale Baptist to participate in a lab led by One Heart DC with other partner churches to help determine the biggest need in our community and the best way to address it.

The following week it was a meeting with the Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a first Hispanic elected AG of immigrant Cuban heritage and his team. ABB was the sponsor and convener to a group composed of church pastors, non-profit and community leaders.

Alex Aguilera, a recipient of funds and food assistance shared his compelling story. The AG Miyares toured our ABB food pantry and gave some affirming remarks followed by a robust sharing from those invited at the table.

So glad we could be a connector that encourages networking and a platform for likeminded organizations to share their story and use their voice.

We look forward to continue to gather and model for others what collaboration and Kingdom work amongst the poor looks like.

Time now to pray for those seeds planted and healthy follow up with these new friends and current allies who link arms with us for a better Arlington.

Carlos Dimas
Arlington Bridge Builders
Executive Director

Festival de Familia on Sat May 21, 2022

Attorney General Jason Miyares Lunch convened by ABB with local non-profits

Prayer

We are thankful for many answers to prayer:

- For the resources to serve close to 359 families and 1077 individuals through our food pantry.
- For faithful volunteers to serve on Saturday mornings with food deliveries.
- For increased partnerships with local churches and their involvement with ABB activities
- For the volunteers and many families who participated in our Festival de Familia event in May.
- For the many volunteers and speakers and families who participated in our successful 6 week Coffee & Conversation program at the Arlington Mill Community Center.

Still there is so much to pray for:

- new funding streams for ABB
- for our neighbors who are struggling with health, finances and food security
- the relationship with local churches and the joint activities we are planning for this year.
- for active participation of partner churches and neighbors in the upcoming Back to School Backpack giveaway event on Sat, Aug 20 from 10 am - 1 pm.

Opportunities for Partnership

There are many ways to support ABB.

Add ABB Amazon Smile Program as your preferred non-profit and invite others to do the same!

Join the $30 for 30K Campaign and make a difference with just $30 a month as we build community “one neighbor at a time”.

Donate to the $30 for 30K Campaign and Backpack Drive
www.arlingtonbridge.org/donate.html

Volunteer to serve our neighbors
www.arlingtonbridge.org/volunteer.html

Staying Connected

As our work with the community continues, we hope that you are encouraged by our neighbors’ hope for the future. Arlington Bridge Builders is honored to come alongside them, and we are so thankful for the support we have received so far.

If you are interested in learning more or want to be more involved, check out our website, sign up to volunteer, support our efforts, and like our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram!

ABB Facebook: www.facebook.com/arlingtonbridgebuilders
ABB Instagram: www.instagram.com/arlingtonbridgebuilders
ABB YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=55h-ISUoed8

About Arlington Bridge Builders

Arlington Bridge Builders (ABB) is a 501(C)(3) faith-based partnership of area churches, Christian organizations, and individuals that operates in the Arlington community. We have strong neighborhood ties and provides social services, including monthly food, clothing, educational services (ESL) and financial assistance to people in need. Our mission: we are Jesus followers united in meeting tangible needs, equipping leaders, and transforming our city.