It’s been a busy week as the city announced progress on a few new policies that could give a financial boost to some Alexandrians in need.
One of the most notable is a pilot project testing out a Universal Basic Income pilot with $500 a month for local residents making less than half of the area median income. Local residents can apply for Alexandria’s Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE) online.
Another funding request under consideration is $500,000 to a program that offers grants to minority-owned businesses. Minority-owned businesses were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and the program aims to offer support for those that may have been missed from earlier recovery programs.
- Alexandria seeking qualified locals to receive $500 a month for two years
- Pedestrian critically injured in Landmark crash
- No injuries after shots fired on Duke Street Sunday night
- Townsend Van Fleet, Alexandria City Council candidate and community leader, dies
- Jersey Mike’s to open in Alexandria Commons tomorrow
- Alexandria Hyundai gets approval to run in Del Ray until 2045
- Two crashes with serious injuries bookend Monday
- Meet the couple behind one of Old Town’s best Halloween displays
- Alexandria opens up about progress on Holmes Run Trail fix and Mount Vernon Trail widening
- City Manager Jim Parajon to discuss exchanging building heights for more affordable housing
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.