A-SPAN's Programs Work

Homeless Bagged Meal Program
Opportunity Place
Transitional Employment and Life Skills Training                   Permanent Support Housing

Homeless Bagged Meal Program

The Homeless Bagged Meal Program is at the foundation of A-SPAN's work with the homeless.  Operated entirely by volunteers, meals are served at two outdoor locations along the Ballston/Rosslyn corridor. Homeless Bagged Meal Program Volunteers may choose to prepare meals, serve meals, or both.  Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 703-820-4357 ext 17

Click here for complete instructions on the preparation and serving of bagged meals.

Opportunity Place

The hub of operations at A-SPAN is Opportunity Place where homeless people receive a wide spectrum of services focused on assisting them to achieve stable income and housing. Funded primarily by HUD, the program provides street outreach, case management, and employment services including job training and placement. Partial funding is provided by United Way.

Opportunity Place programs are designed to assist clients in addressing their personal barriers to self-sufficiency with the support of staff and volunteers. Counseling, clothing, hygiene items, showers, washer & dryer, free local phone call, voice mail answering service, assistance obtaining personal identification, mail drop, and other services are available to homeless individuals during walk in hours.

Opportunity Place is located in the Shirlington area of Arlington County at 2708 S. Nelson Street on the second floor. 703-820-HELP (4357).

Walk-In Hours: 1 to 5 PM, Monday through Thursday
Appointment Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday

For further information about Opportunity Place programs, contact Leonard Chari at (703) 820-4357, ext. 19.

See our Street Guide to Emergency Resources for Homeless Individuals in Arlington County.

Transitional Employment and Life Skills Training

Our Transitional Employment and Life Skills Program provides one-on-one assistance in areas of employment search such as resume writing, interview coaching, on-line applications, transportation assistance to get to and from job interviews and the use of a telephone line so that homeless individuals are able to receive messages from prospective employers.

Permanent Supportive Housing

A-SPAN has two HUD funded permanent supportive housing programs known as In-Roads and Striving Home that focus on homeless individuals who fit HUD's definition of chronic homeless and who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Many of the people currently in this program went directly from the streets into housing, exemplifying the "housing first" model.