This Is the Year of the Un-Gala

In years past (not counting the pandemic era), April was the month we would be holding our Spring Gala. This year, we’re trying something different.

While last year’s Gala was a big success, raising a quarter of a million dollars for our programs, such events are quite expensive and time-consuming to present.

Rather than devoting all our resources to a single extravaganza for 2023, we are bringing together supporters at intimate, informal monthly events that highlight our programs and services.

At last month’s gathering, Melissa Panagides-Busch from our Board of Trustees joined CEO Piper Phillips Caswell at PHILLIPS School ~ Laurel for a presentation that focused on SpringForward Farms. Guests saw examples of our indoor hydroponic farming operations and learned about how we are creating high-quality job opportunities for young adults and working to build community wealth. We are grateful to Guest Services, Concensus Technologies and the Friedman - French Foundation for sponsoring the March gathering. Click here to watch a video of the presentation.

Upcoming events will include a cocktail hour, a winery visit and a wall-raising celebration at the site in Annandale where our Building Futures students are constructing a luxurious home.    

If you would like to attend or help sponsor one of these events, please contact piper.phillips@phillipsprograms.org.  You also can support us by clicking the Donate button below and selecting 2023 Un-Gala Events in the Program Menu.

Read Our 2022 Annual Report

We are proud to share with you the PHILLIPS Programs 2022 Annual Report. Please take a few minutes to review this summary of our major accomplishments during the past year, such as the launch of our new nonprofit SpringForward Ventures and the transformation of our school food program in Annandale. We are deeply grateful to all our 2022 donors for helping to make this year of progress possible.  

What’s Cooking at Annandale?

Last month, Chef Ben Pflaumer and Food Program Manager Roshell Dews told us about the enthusiastic response to the big changes we’ve made in the meals served at PHILLIPS School ~ Annandale. They say student involvement is helping to power the move from heat-and-serve institutional food to scratch-cooked homestyle meals. What’s most important to our plan’s success, however, is serving food that kids want to eat. In this month’s video, Ben and Roshell explain how we’re doing that.   

Our Instagram page has moved. Check out all our latest photos and videos at

instagram.com/phillipsprogram

(Yes, that’s phillipsprogram without an s at the end.)

Awareness is no longer enough. PHILLIPS practices Autism Acceptance – not just during this month, but all year long. Autism is the primary disability for nearly one-quarter of the PHILLIPS student population. We understand that people with autism want what we all want; to be accepted for who they are and appreciated for what they contribute to our community.

PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families
7010 Braddock Rd | Annandale, Virginia 22003
703-941-8810 | piper.phillips@phillipsprograms.org

PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families is a private, non-profit organization serving the complex needs of children and youth living with cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral challenges in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Through excellence in specialized education, community programs and individualized support services, we provide our children and families every advantage to ensure they develop to achieve their greatest individual success. Their potential is our commitment.