Jane Hess Collins

Chairman of the Board

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on February 19, 2026

Someone told me 20 years ago that if you want something done, ask a busy person. No one, I’ve decided, is busier than a nonprofit executive director, and this posting is a shout-out to them by way of my whining about how much work they have asked me to do. Read more »

Helping out in a Hypothermia Shelter

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on January 06, 2026

When the temperature gets down in the 30’s, that normally means flannel blankets and nerdy pajamas. For the homeless, sometimes it means sleeping in a church. Read more »

Rebuilding Together Alexandria - Dedicate to Insulate

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on January 04, 2026

Help insulate a low-income family’s home and save them up to 30% off their next utility bill.
By Jane Hess Collins

AmeriCorps members Dorothy Shepard and Ryan Baesten, assigned to Rebuilding Together Alexandria, stayed warm by hauling these heavy bags to dozens of apartments. Read more »

Wrapping it Up with The Reading Connection

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on December 05, 2025

In December of 2005 I volunteered to gift-wrap for the Literacy Council of Read more »

Community Lodgings

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on September 09, 2025
Bonnie Baxley, Community Lodgings' executive director, Mary Tiemann and Mary Hellem at the "Communitea" fundraising event this past spring at Old Town Alexandria's Union Street Public House. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Theismann

Not long ago I wrote a story about kids who read to puppies. Read more »

The Reading Connection – Read On!

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on September 09, 2025
Every reading event includes a related craft project. Today the kids made caterpillars to go with the “gardens and seeds” reading theme.

What’s not to love about a nonprofit that gives kids a book to read each week? The Reading Connection does that, and more, and last week I found out just how much good can be done in one hour. Read more »

Jailhouse Art

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on September 09, 2025
Shawn Carlan says his first-place drawing symbolizes protection and love.

Three things I never knew about jails: Read more »

Computer C.O.R.E. - Core Competencies

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on September 09, 2025

Computer C.O.R.E.'s graduating class of June, 2010

JOB WANTED: Master’s degree in economics from prestigious university. Hard working. Ambitious. Motivated. Prior government experience. Read more »

Empowered Women International - The Artist's Way

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on September 09, 2025

Volunteer Dianna Lorenz (left) advises Nadia Janjua on how to start her nonprofit for Muslim women.

Do you remember that personality quiz where you walk into an imaginary cocktail party and there are six groups of people? Read more »

Friends of Guest House - Be the Cred

Posted by Jane Hess Collins on September 09, 2025

Friends of Guest House exec director Kari Galloway (right) hugs a house resident who shared her story at a fundraiser.

Deborah H. lives at Friends of Guest House (FOGH), a 1920’s vinyl-sided house in the Del Ray part of Alexandria. FOGH is more than a house though – it’s a nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated women transition from prison life to one of independence. Read more »

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