[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17963-17964]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF FACETS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th 
Anniversary of FACETS, a Northern Virginia nonprofit that helps 
individuals and families overcome the challenges of poverty.
  Since 1988, through its collaboration with more than 100 faith 
communities, local businesses, fellow nonprofits, and government 
agencies, FACETS has improved the lives of thousands of families and 
individuals by helping them obtain emergency shelter, food, and medical 
care; helping them gain safe, sustainable and permanent housing; and 
working with them to end the cycle of poverty through educational, life 
skills and career counseling programs. This wrap-around approach not 
only addresses the immediate needs of those in crisis, it also provides 
the support and services necessary to develop long-range solutions that 
allow each person to become self-sufficient and live with dignity.
  During my tenure on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I was 
pleased to partner with FACETS in launching the Hypothermia Prevention 
and Response Program, which will be starting up again soon. Under this 
program, churches have opened their doors to provide our most 
vulnerable neighbors with a warm and safe place to stay during winter 
nights. Last year FACETS served 244 guests in this program, and since 
it began no unsheltered individuals have died due to hypothermia. In 
2008, when I was Chairman of the County Board, I worked with FACETS 
founder Linda Wimpey and other community partners to initiate the 10-
Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Thanks to the success of 
that program we have made significant strides reducing the rate of 
homelessness by one-fourth.
  FACETS also helps people develop the skills necessary to create 
better lives for themselves and their families by operating Education 
and Community Development programs in community centers located in 
affordable housing communities throughout Fairfax County. Programs for 
youth focus on academics, self-esteem, substance abuse prevention, 
healthy relationships and college or career planning. Approximately 450 
youth participate in these programs. Nearly 90 percent of children who 
received homework and tutoring help improved their GPAs or overall 
academic performance. Last summer, FACETS served 1250 lunches, sent 7 
children to camp, and hosted additional activities designed to keep 
children and teens safe.
  Programs for adults include computer and financial literacy, career 
development and ESL. Residents can participate in individualized case 
management, focusing on eviction prevention and emergency food and 
financial assistance to keep them stable and in their homes. In FY12, 
nearly 60 adults participated in FACETS' community programs. Of those 
who received case management, 40 percent became actively involved with 
life skills classes and 60 percent gained employment assistance, 
including resume development and increasing earning power.
  FACETS has earned well-deserved recognition for these efforts. The 
Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce honored FACETS as its 2013 Large 
Nonprofit of the Year. In June 2013, the Housing Association of 
Nonprofit Developers recognized the FACETS' Education and Community 
Development Program as the Best Community Life Program in the 
Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Last year,
  FACETS earned a Team Excellence Award: Leadership Role in the Fairfax 
County Family Shelter In-take Redesign.

[[Page 17964]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing FACETS for 
its 25 years of service to our community and in extending our sincere 
appreciation to the dedicated staff and volunteers for their commitment 
to ending poverty in Fairfax County as well as to the individual, 
corporate, non-profit, and government agency sponsors for supporting 
the critical work of this organization.

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