Zebra Misc

Friends of Guest House in Alexandria Receives $2M Grant

Friends of Guest House received a $2 million grant. Pictured is one of the organization’s properties on East Luray Avenue. Photo courtesy Friends of Guest House)

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Friends of Guest House has been in existence for 50 years.  The nonprofit organization, based in Alexandria,  helps formerly incarcerated women on their journey back into society. Friends of Guest House was recently given a $2 million grant by Mackenzie Scott’s Yield Giving fund.

Last spring, Yield Giving held an open call for entries for organizations whose sole purpose is to support individuals and families in improving their well-being. There were more than 6,000 applicants from around the country that applied for what was originally a $1 million award. Ultimately, 250 were chosen. Guest House was received a very high score during the selection process. As a result, it was awarded $2 million.

In a newsletter announcement released this morning (March 19), Executive Director Sonja Allen said, “This transformative grant from Mackenzie Scott’s Yield Giving is a testament to the dedication and impact of our organization over the past five decades. We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary gesture of support that will enable us to strengthen our programs, reach more women in need, and create lasting positive change in our community.”

She described the grant as “a lifesaver.” It arrives at the perfect time for Guest House. The award will help make its mission “more sustainable,” she said.

Over 5,000 woman have participated Guest House’s programs for the last five decades. While the award is reason for the nonprofit to celebrate , it still depends on donations from the community, both big and small. to operate. Interested in giving? Click HERE.

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Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

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