Fifer Family Learning Center
607 Notabene Drive
Alexandria, VA 22305
O: 703-739-5856
F: 703-739-8412
Property Management
Dick Mortimer, Property Manager
Ismelda Arriaza, Resident Manager
3816 Old Dominion Drive #4
Alexandria, VA 22305
O: 703-548-8613
F: 703-548-8615
3912 Elbert Avenue, Suite 108
Alexandria, VA 22305
O: 703-549-4407, F: 703-548-1294
cli@communitylodgings.org
Community Lodgings, Inc.
"Opening Doors to Independence Since 1987"
3912 Elbert Ave.; Alexandria, VA 22305
607 Notabene Drive
612 Notabene Drive
Our Properties
Bonnie Baxley, Executive Director, baxley@starpower.net
Bonnie Baxley brings a unique combination of talents and experience to her leadership of Community Lodgings. She became executive director in September 2005 after seven years’ service on the Board of Directors, one as Board chair. She is thus thoroughly knowledgeable about Community Lodgings and strongly committed to its mission. An experienced educator, she has classroom teaching experience and a master’s degree in special education. She also has extensive business experience, having operated a successful private tutoring service serving Washington-area students for 25 years. Ms. Baxley’s wide community connections are a great asset, both in community outreach and in developing partnerships. She has over 25 years’ experience in the nonprofit arena, including service with the Alexandria Hospital Auxiliary, Campagna Center Junior Friends and many others. She is a hands-on leader of the after-school programs, enriching the program through her expertise in curriculum and education, as well as her experience in teaching middle school. Ms. Baxley holds a BS in special education (mental retardation) from Radford College and an MA in special education (learning disabilities) from George Mason University.
Karina Wiggs, Director of Operations, cli@communitylodgings.org
As director of operations for Community Lodgings, Karina Wiggs assumes a broad range of responsibilities critical to the agency’s efficiency and success. She manages all aspects of CLI’s financial affairs, including payroll and development of the annual program budget, in conjunction with the executive director. She also coordinates all human resources activities. Ms. Wiggs designed and maintains our website and assists in the development of marketing/outreach materials and graphics for special events and other fundraising initiatives. In addition to her administrative duties, she recently became a certified housing counselor. With this new expertise, she will advise our clients as they work toward their goal as eventual homeowners. She holds a BA in computer networking from Strayer University.
Jim Dempsey, Director of Development, jdempsey@communitylodgings.org
Jim Dempsey joined Community Lodgings in August 2008 as Director of Development. His administrative duties include researching and writing grant proposals for our Education and Housing Programs; managing donor correspondence and outreach; and directing public relations for the organization. Mr. Dempsey brings a wealth of nonprofit development experience as well as a diverse background to Community Lodgings. From January 2007 to July 2008, Jim worked as Operations and Development Officer for a DC-based nonprofit organization which offered financial assistance to military families in need. Immediately after college graduation, Jim spent three months in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he worked for Moses Children’s Home (MCH), an orphanage in the heart of the city. During his stint with the orphanage he assisted MCH executive management in financial reporting and oversaw thorough renovations to the facility. Since leaving Ethiopia, he has dedicated his efforts to raising $30,000 per year for the orphanage to cover clothing, education, food and shelter for each child enrolled at MCH. In May 2006, Jim graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a BA in History.
Yasmin Ventura, Project Assistant, yventura@communitylodgings.org
Yasmin Ventura joined Community Lodgings in November of 2008 as a full-time Project assistant working at the Family Learning Center. Yasmin facilitates the after school program for Elementary, Middle and High school students. She also assists people from the community in various needs including translating documents, searching for jobs, and filling out medical forms. Before coming to CLI, Yasmin worked in a similar capacity with adults in the community of Langley Park, MD a predominantly Centro American community. From 2006 until 2008, Yasmin lived and worked with children in West Africa, teaching environmental awareness and English as a second language. Yasmin received a BA from the University of Maryland, MD.
Ana Rodriguez, Project Protege/Middle School Coordinator, arodriguez@communitylodgings.org
Ana Rodriguez works closely with Community Lodging's youth as Coordinator of the Middle School and High School Program, along with Project Protégé. Ana spearheads the Middle School Program consisting of 30 young people including children of transitional clients and community members. Responsibilities include monitoring academic and personal development, organizing lessons for after school homework assistance, and facilitating life skill activities and workshops. Her interactions with school counselors, teachers and parents help youth boost test scores and class grades, along with attendance. Recently, Ana introduced the High School Program to CLI which meets similar goals and has an added focus on future goals for college entry and career aspirations. Through the Project Protégé program, Ana assists our youth and mentors with developing strong bonds and lasting relationships that has resulted in increased community involvement, responsible behavior and academic advancement from our youth. Previously with AmeriCorps, Ana served as a reading coach, ESL assistant and translator/ parent liaison for Hispanic families of an inner city elementary school in Richmond, Va. She earned a double major in International Relations and Sociology through Virginia Commonwealth University.
Becca Waltrip, Child Services Coordinator, bwaltrip@communitylodgings.org
Becca recently joined CLI as the new Child Services Coordinator. Her responsibilities include providing support and counseling for children in the Transitional Housing program and tutoring middle school students at FLC. She also teaches adult ESL classes to parents of FLC’s students and other members of the Alexandria community. Last year Becca worked as an English teacher in a public elementary school in Southern Spain. Before joining CLI she participated in a medical mission trip to Limon, Honduras, where she volunteered as an interpreter with the Carolina-Honduras Health Foundation. Becca graduated from the University of Richmond in 2007 with a BA in Psychology and Spanish.
Charlyne Braxton, Case Manager, cbraxton@communitylodgings.org
Charlyne is a case manager for our Transitional Housing Program. She came from a transitional shelter that served women and their children. She has eight years of experience working and collaborating with organizations throughout the metropolitan area for people in need. Charlyne’s work with various organizations allowed her to motivate and assist needy clientele through job placement; social service referrals; substance abuse services; court advocacy; reunifying mothers and their children; and community outreach and collaboration. She has also helped to educate the DC Metropolitan community of the plight of people in need. She holds an Associates Degree in Human Services and Criminal Justice.
Jeanette Haghayeghi, Deputy Director, jeanetteh@communitylodgings.org
Deputy Director Jeanette Haghayeghi administers all programs held at our Family Learning Center. She oversees program design, content and curriculum development. Jeanette has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Southern California. Throughout her career, Jeanette has taught children from Preschool to 8th grade; she is also a Reading Specialist. Jeanette is certified in the following areas: Pre K - 12th Grade, Parent Education, Missouri Family Development, Breast Feeding Support Teacher and is a Dona Certified Doula with the Doula Foundation of the Ozarks.
