The Wanda Alston Foundation and the Week Ahead in ReviewQ

So, great news! The Washington DC Metro Area now has a shelter for LGBT youth, the Wanda Alston Foundation. For those of you familiar with our area, this name may sound familiar and it should. Wanda Alston was a LGBTQ activist in Washington, DC. She was a cabinet member of the DC government and served on the Board of Directors for National Organization of Women. Highly respected and admired, she worked and campaigned for the Democratic party and Human Rights Campaign. Sadly she was killed inside her home in the District in 2005. Her activism and legacy lives on today in the Wanda Alston Foundation.

The Wanda Alston House was the name of a previous organization that operated a shelter for LGBTQ youth that closed. Now newly restructured and reorganized, the Wanda Alston Foundation is fully operational and needs our help and support.

First, it needs donations. Here is a list from the director of immediate needs for their shelter:

Toiletries: Toothbrushes; Toothpaste; Brushes, Combs; Deodorants and lotions
Houseware: New blankets; pillows; sheets and towels.
Travel: token and fare cards for youth travel to appointments such as interviews
Donations: Donations to support programmatic needs are great too: visit our website for information or now donate via credit card/pay pal.

Secondly, it needs volunteers. If you live in the Washington, DC area and have a skill or craft that you believe could beneficial to residents ( ie. math tutor), then contact the foundation’s director at the address listed below. I also have a link to the foundation located to the right of the blog itself.

Or connect with them online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Organization Contact Info:

Kenneth J. Pettigrew
Director of Programs
Wanda Alston Foundation
300 New Jersey Ave NW Suite 900
Washington DC 20001 (202) 465-8794 Phone (202) 347-0130 Fax

***********************************************************************

Now for the week ahead in reviews:

Monday, March 3: Convergence by Talya Andor

Tuesday, March 4: Heidi Belleau/Lisa Henry’s King of Dublin Book Tour & Contest

Tuesday, March 4: The Professor #4 Every Inch of the Way Book Tour

Wed., March 5 Song of the Spring Moon Waning by E.E. Ottoman

Thursday, March 6: King of Dublin by Heidi Belleau & Lisa Henry

Friday, March 7: Come to Me by Megan Derr

Sat., March 8: Know Not Why by Hannah Johnson

By Scattered Thoughts

At over 50, I am ruled by my terriers, my gardens, and my projects. A knack for grubbing about in the woods, making mud pies, and tending to the injured worms, bugs, and occasional bird and turtle growing up eventually led me to working for the Parks. I was a park Naturalist for over 20 years, and observing Nature and her cycles still occupy my hours. From the arrival of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the Spring to the first call of the Snow Geese heading south in the Fall, I am entranced by the seasons. For more about me see my bio on my blog.

View all of Scattered Thoughts's posts.