Welcoming in the Community

Building a Community of Neighbors

At Welcoming Falls Church, we believe that belonging is built one neighbor at a time. While our mission is across the community, the heart of our work happens on the ground—in parking lots, at kitchen tables, and on the Metro.

"Welcoming in the Community" is our approach to practical, hands-on initiatives that bring neighbors from all walks of life together. Whether we are delivering groceries or navigating a museum with a group of summer campers, we are build a community of neighbors through shared experiences, human relationships, and mutual support.

Our Core Community Initiatives

Food Security & Neighbor Solidarity

No one can feel truly at home if they are worried about their next meal. We lead and support two distinct efforts to ensure our immigrant and refugee neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious food, while building lasting connections.

Summer Belonging: Camp Albatross

Summer should be a season of joy, not isolation. Through Camp Albatross, a one-week summer camp experience, we provide immigrant and refugee children with quintessential childhood experiences—from bowling and ice cream to first-ever visits to the Smithsonian museums in D.C.

Seasonal Fellowship: Community Thanksgiving

Every November, we join together with Falls Church City Public Schools for an early Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This "big tent" annual event brought together approximately 150 neighbors in 2025 to share a traditional Thanksgiving meal, accompanied by a global potluck, and to celebrate the spirit of community. It’s truly an amazing experience!

Community Partnership: Rides for Refugees

Reliable transportation is a cornerstone of economic self-reliance. Welcoming Falls Church is delighted to partner with Reston-based nonprofit Rides for Refugees to facilitate vehicle donations that empower permanently resettled refugees to get to work safely and sustainably. Whether teaming up to cover emergency transportation costs or guiding neighbors through the process of donating a vehicle, we are working together to keep our newest neighbors moving forward.

The Vision for 2026-2027: Growing Together

We are entering a season of growth. Our goal is to build "one-time volunteer experiences" into a sustainable ecosystem of support that defines our community. Join our effort to make Falls Church more connected and more caring than ever.

How Do You Want to Get Involved?

Every hand helps, and every hour of service builds a stronger community.

Make a Small-Scale, Personal Impact: Join our monthly grocery delivery team on the first Saturday of each month, to provide staples to local families - donate food or help with delivery.
Join a High-Energy, Community-Wide Event: Volunteer with us at Comunidad’s Willston Multicultural Center food distribution, on the third Saturday of the month.
Mentor the Next Generation: Sign up as a counselor or adult volunteer for Camp Albatross, our one-week summer camp experience.
Commit Longer-Term: We are looking for a dedicated group of four to six volunteers or families to commit long-term to the monthly grocery delivery program or a mix of these programs, helping us grow these initiatives and reach more neighbors.