Notes: ‘Wrap Up, Alexandria’ program at Del Pepper Center has distributed more than 125,000 condoms

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

🌤️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58 degrees. Northwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 36 degrees. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Thursday will be sunny, with a high near 61 degrees. West wind 3 to 8 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Alexandria is stepping up its game in the fight against sexually transmitted infections through its expanded condom distribution program. The “Wrap Up, Alexandria” initiative has placed condom dispensers at key locations throughout the city, aiming to curb STI rates and unintended pregnancies.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley shared some impressive numbers during her report on the Alexandria Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP): the Del Pepper Community Resource Center alone has handed out over 125,000 condoms. Bagley commended residents for their commitment to safe practices, saying, “Way to be safe, Alexandriea. Keep up that safe practice.”

This program, spearheaded by the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP), launched in December 2023 in response to concerning trends. The city has seen a significant uptick in STI cases among young people and other vulnerable groups. Virginia Department of Health data shows chlamydia cases jumped 14% and gonorrhea cases surged 27.6% between 2018 and 2022.

Currently, you can find condom dispensers in restrooms at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive) and the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program office (123 N Pitt St. #225).

The condom distribution program is not a stand-alone effort. The City of Alexandria provides the following background on its website on Wrap Up, Alexandria.

The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy strongly believes, and research has shown, that by working together to provide easier access to condoms, we can help reduce the number of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies in the City of Alexandria.

ACAP initiated this program, together with the City and many community partners, to combat a multi-year increase in sexually transmitted infections among youth and other at-risk populations.

This condom distribution program is not a stand-alone effort.  ACAP works to educate youth and their families on sexuality education and pregnancy prevention throughout the city.  ACAP targets high-risk populations and coordinates with Alexandria City Public schools to equip all youth with evidence-based sexuality education and skills to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

Read more about the program and its efforts at Wrap Up, Alexandria.

What else you need to know

🌸 On this day in 1839, the Alexandria Lyceum Company and the Alexandria Library Company formally announced plans to share a new Greek Revival-style building at 201 S. Washington Street. [City of Alexandria]

🌸 Two regional planning experts delivered sobering news to the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday (March 25) about the potential impact of federal workforce reductions, warning that the city faces significant economic challenges if proposed cuts materialize.

Clark Mercer, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), and Jill Kaneff, Senior Regional Demographer for the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), presented data showing Alexandria’s vulnerability to federal job cuts. [ALXnow]

🌸 Alexandria Police report they have found no evidence suggesting that former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber’s death was caused by anything other than natural causes, according to an update provided Tuesday. [ALXnow]

🌸 In the final year of his tenure, Gov. Glenn Youngkin carried out his duty to sign, veto and amend hundreds of bills handed to him by the Democratic-controlled legislature for the last time Monday, rejecting a proposal to raise the minimum wage incrementally to $15 per hour, a multiple-year attempt to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and several voter registration and election measures. [ALXnow via Virginia Mercury]

🌸 American University is shining the light on the City of Alexandria Pipe and Drums, which will provide the soundtrack to President Jon Alger’s inauguration on Friday. [American University]

🌸 Alexandria City Council invites you to a Town Hall on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. to share your concerns, voice your feedback, and ask questions. Register in advance and submit questions. [City of Alexandria]

🌸 Reminder – Participate in our Spring Photo Contest and see your photo featured here and on alxnow.com. Details

👉 Stay In The Know

📈 Tuesday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Mar 25, 2025.

1. Skill games are still happening in Alexandria, and police are slowly seizing machines
2. Alexandria Police: No evidence of foul play in death of former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber
3. Notes: Alexandria featured as a top travel destination for spring on TODAY Show

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📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria.

Things To Do

• 10 a.m.: Beatley Friends’ Book Sale at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 10:30 a.m.: Stitcher’s Space – Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday! at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 5 p.m.: Inspired by Nature: A River Farm Art Exhibit and Sale (until April 1) at River Farm Estate House
• 5 p.m.: Spitfire Book Club – Kindergarten – 3rd Grade at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 5 p.m.: Women Wine Maker Dinner at Kismet
• 5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop – Intermediate Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 6 p.m.: Knit Nite! – A knitting club for kids ages 8-18 at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 7 p.m.: Dreams We Chase: Author Talk with Novelist Jennifer Weiner (virtual)
• 7 p.m.: English Language Learning – Conversational learning every Wednesday at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

Live Music & Entertainment

• 219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
• Evening Star Cafe: Mantis at 8:30 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: James Bazen at 6 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
• O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• St. Elmo’s: Open Mic Night at 7 p.m.

City of Alexandria

• 12 p.m.: Listening to the Voices of Women Poets
• 2 p.m.: Alex. Community & Policy Management Team (ACPMT)
• 3:30 p.m.: AlexRenew Bd of Directors Gov Comm Prep Meeting
• 6 p.m.: FY 2026 Budget Work Session #5
• 6 p.m.: Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance
• 6 p.m.: Towing Advisory Board Meeting
• 6 p.m.: Schools and Libraries Action Committee Meeting
• 7 p.m.: Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Regulation Discussion

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.

🌸 What We’re Covering Today

The following is intended to give you an idea of the stories that we’re planning to cover today. Note that some stories may be pushed back depending on the day’s news.

• More updates from City Council meeting.
• ACPS George Mason update.
• 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue update.
• Dash and ACPS.
• Alexandria Students’ surprise!
• and more….