February 2019 Newsletter
A Message from the President
Recently, I attended the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce State of the Economy conference. "Looking Back: A Decade of Transformation; Looking Forward: A Future of Opportunity." What an inspiring call to action! Even more inspiring was the message delivered by Tamika Tremaglio, Deloitte's Managing Principal for the Greater Washington Area. Tamika talked about diversity in the workplace and that the number one goal for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) executives is to "ensure that our non-profits thrive." In addition, she urged that we do more than Community Service Days. While those activities are very beneficial to the non-profits who gain from them, and they do serve to introduce people to the vital work those of us in the social sector do, there needs to be a deeper dive.
As part of our Strategic Plan 20/20 for 2020 PHILLIPS Programs is committed to expanding our Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings and career transition models because the most important factor in ensuring our students succeed after graduation is being prepared for sustainable job opportunities.
So what can you and I do today? Come for a tour of our schools conveniently located in Annandale, Fairfax and Laurel. Learn about our programs and how your CSR dollars can ensure our youth have the resources they need to succeed. When you support PHILLIPS you support hundreds of youth prepare for life after school. Yes, we are open for your support.
Warmly,
What's in your emergency kit?
PHILLIPS' Director of Research and Evaluation welcomes new hires with a creative gift.
Dr. Rose Ann Renteria has served as the Director of Research and Evaluation at PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families for six years. She conducts evaluations linked to performance management, logic model development, and data systems as well as family and youth outcomes for educational and wrap around programs and services. As a training and research partner with Youth in Focus, Dr. Renteria has revised Families Thrive training materials, and provided training in Youth Thrive and Families Thrive conceptual frameworks. She takes part in orientation of new employees at all three of the PHILLIPS campuses and offers staff a small kit to remind them of how deeply valued they are. Her creative way of welcoming staff was showcased in a recent blog on the Youth in Focus website. Read her blog here.
www.phillipsprograms.org
SPRING FORWARD: Savoring Success!
Dress up in your favorite "pink tie" cocktail attire and attend our "foodie" themed gala as a taster of yummy bites or ham it up in your favorite food inspired costume!
Whatever you choose to wear, this year's gala promises to tantalize and please your senses! Imagine the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner splashed with spring decor featuring the loveliest of flowers: the cherry blossom. Picture yourself enjoying demos by some of our regions most popular celebrity chefs and food stylists. Fulfill your fantasies with tasteful auctions that will appeal to every appetite. This year's gala will intrigue, inspire and ignite your passion for extraordinary dining! Buy your tickets or sponsor today. Click here to go to our gala website.
Food, Friends and Fun!
I want to cook as if I went to culinary school!
As foodies we nourish our souls pouring over new cookbooks, planning our vacations around the best places to eat, and enjoying movies that encourage our passion like Julie & Julia, Eat, Pray and Love and Le Chocolat! As we plan for our spring gala, we are taking inspiration from many outlets. To that end, we are looking for recommendations from YOU! We are looking for cooking classes and tastings to sweeten the silent auction! Do you have a favorite personal chef? Did you have a fabulous date night at a wonderful cooking class? We want to know about your favorite experience! Post on our Facebook and share your gourmet excursions! Have an experience to donate? Please email Nancy.Lu@phillipsprograms.org.or donate directly by clicking our Silent Auction Link.
Wrap a Circle of Hope Around Our Children and Families.
Join our Select Giving Circle.
PHILLIPS Programs strategic plan calls for expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) by 2020. To achieve this goal we created Career Partners. These new programs are transformative!
Walk down Holyoke Drive and marvel at the luxury custom built home our youth constructed. Imagine the array of products our youth have created in their 3D Design and Print classes where they learn about additive manufacturing. Packed with premium flavor and nutrition the microgreens and lettuces grown in our indoor vertical farm enhance the taste, health and freshness of every dish prepared in our culinary arts program. You can help us grow these innovative programs by joining a select group of people who are members of our Circle of Support.
Today, I invite you to please accept our invitation to become a part of our sustaining donors program by giving a recurring monthly donation of $20.DONATE TODAY!
Celebrity Chefs Bring Added Spice to the Gala!
This year's gala reception will feature demonstrations by our line up of celebrity chefs and The Washington Post food stylist Lisa Cherkasky!Lisa shares, "I have always been a cook. From the time my mother felt I was old enough to make family dinner - age six- I've been an enthusiastic cook and baker." Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Lisa is the proud author of two books and has moved skillfully between the editorial and corporate worlds as a food stylist, working with The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, The Smithsonian, Vegetarian Times, Eating Well, National Geographic, Mt Vernon and Monticello and a long list of large companies, including the Marriott Corporation, McCormick Spice and many others. She was even the food hat milliner to Rose O'Donnell! Ask her about THAT experience at the gala! Chef Tobias Dorzon, 34, is an executive private chef, and founder of Victory Chefs Catering and The Victory Truck. As a first-generation American born and raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Chef Tobias grew up watching his Liberian father and chef in the kitchen, but opted to pursue football and attended Jackson State University on a full athletic scholarship.After 3 years in the NFL and CFL, and studying at the Art Institute of Washington and abroad in Brazil, Chef Tobias began apprenticing at local restaurants. His career trajectory shifted, however, when retired Pro Bowler and Washington Redskin Santana Moss saw his Instagram photos and invited him to feed his family. Chef Tobias is unofficially THE chef of the DMV and, with 60K+Instagram followers (which include Hollywood elite, pro athletes, etc.), is quickly becoming a celebrity in his own right.Watch for our next gala newsflash to learn about who else is bringing their expertise to this spectacular event! There will be much to entice your taste buds this year! Visit our 2019 Gala website to purchase early bird tickets!
Close the GAP with a commemorative gift today!
PHILLIPS Programs renovated 3,380 square feet within the Laurel campus to create a commercial kitchen, vertical farm and learning lab. The renovated space houses a job training program for transitioning youth.This innovative program, PHILLIPS ~ Growing Futures is a career and technical education program providing opportunities for youth to thrive through culinary arts and urban agriculture curriculum and job training. Students engage in hands-on experiential curriculum that includes working in both a commercial kitchen and indoor vertical farm growing and cooking fresh products.Try this favorite recipe developed by our students for Mango Tango Smoothie! Mango Tango SmoothieYield 2-12 oz. servings1 cup Mango, fresh or frozen1 ea. Banana2 Tbs. Wheat grass powder2 cups Coconut milk2 Tbs. Honey1/2 cup IceProcedure1. Combine mango, banana, wheat grass powder, coconut milk, honey and ice in a blender2. Blend until smooth3. Pour into glasses and garnish with pinch of basil microgreensWe are very close towards our goal of raising $900,000 for the space. We only have $77,253 left to raise. Ensure that our youth have the training and skills they need! Please visit this link to learn how you can CLOSE THE GAP!
Save the Date for our 2nd Annual 5K!
On October 19, 2019 PHILLIPS Programs is hosting our second annual 5K fun run/ 1k walk to support our Food For Thought program. Join us for a wonderful morning at scenic Burke Lake Park. Plan to walk, run or roll and support your community! Sponsorships are available! Contact Debi.Alexander@phillipsprograms.org or call 703-941-8810
"Their potential, our commitment"
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.