A Portrait of Children in Northern Virginia

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and Voices for Virginia's Children are pleased to release this report discussing the critical needs of children and youth in our region.  Special thanks go to Dean Montgomery at the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia, who did most of this wonderful research.

While the report is now released, the work of growing philanthropy to help meet the needs proved up in the report is just beginning!

Everyone wants their charitable dollars to have an impact and make a difference. We believe that this report is a true resource for knowledge and strategic giving in our region that can provide a context for philanthropy. Whether you are a donor, a nonprofit executive, an educator, a government official, a foundation leader, or a concerned citizen, you will obtain a deeper understanding of the real needs of children in Northern Virginia and how your personal philanthropy fits into the overall picture.

Let us know what you think. We look forward to the community dialogue on the report and how we can all better serve our most vulnerable children and youth.

Eileen Ellsworth
President
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

The impact poverty has on the lives of children in Northern Virginia.

I hope this report will help educate, motivate and lead to real dialogue about the impact poverty has on the more than 30,000 children living below the Federal Poverty Level in Northern Virginia. After reading the report, the socio-economic differences throughout the region are hard to believe. There are so many ways we can improve the lives of our region's children ranging from more philanthropic leadership and investment to engagement at all levels of the community. I encourage all of us living in Northern Virginia to do everything we can to help improve the lives of children living in "pockets of poverty" across the region. Let's discuss how we as a community can address the most serious needs of children allowing them to reach their full potential.