Second Story

Harry Fry was a man who lived his convictions.  Harry was a passionate advocate of education as the single most important way for immigrant students to achieve their potential.  Over his long teaching career, he helped countless ESOL students through difficult periods of displacement and transition. 

Like Harry, Second Story is there for those who are displaced or in trouble.  The vision of Second Story is of a community in which all young people are safe, live in a nurturing environment, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Found in 1972 as "Alternative House," Second Story transforms the lives of children and youth, helping them stay safe, make positive decisions, achieve educational success, and overcome personal crises. Second Story offers children, youth, and families hope for brighter futures by providing counseling, shelter, and neighborhood-based support.

Link to Second Story

Hi everyone! If you don’t know us personally, our names are Abby and Jordan, and we’re juniors at the Potomac School in McLean, VA. We lead a program at our school called Game Changers, in partnership with Second Story’s Culmore Family Resource Center in Falls Church. Over the winter season, Potomac student volunteers spend Wednesday evenings with the kids from the Culmore Center, working on homework, doing arts and crafts, and playing games. We love spending time with the kids and have an especially great evening at our annual ice skating party. 

During this time of uncertainty and instability, we’ve been thinking a lot about Second Story and the strain COVID-19 has put on many of the community members they work with in their extensive programs ranging from providing safe havens to youth support. As a result of the pandemic, the hardships of many have been heightened, and many are subject to financial pressures. More about Second Story’s specific concerns and needs has been highlighted on their website, as you can read below:

“Many of our most important needs right now can only be met monetarily, and financial contributions are much needed and appreciated. Many of the youth in our programs who work hourly jobs have been laid off, resulting in more need for food, resources, and rental support. Their progress toward greater income has been delayed because of job training programs or secondary schools being put on hold. Many families from our Community Based Programs who rely on hourly jobs have lost their income as well as the support for their children usually provided at school every day. The youth and families we serve need us now more than ever.

Your donations are deeply impactful: $100 provides three weeks of food for a young woman and her child at Second Story for Young Mothers, $250 provides five therapy sessions through these challenging and often anxious times, and $1,500 covers approximately two months of rent and resources for a young person in Second Story for Homeless Youth.”

While we wish that we could provide support for the Culmore Center kids and Second Story in person, we understand that donations are the best way to do so at the moment. We hope that you all can contribute to our efforts, and help us support Second Story and their wonderful work. Any contribution made is appreciated! Thank you for your donations!

Additionally, if you would like to explore other ways to contribute to Second Story, feel free to view the link here: https://www.second-story.org/news/our-immediate-covid-19-needs/ 

-Jordan Greenslade and Abby Malmud