This week, Catalogue nonprofits delivered eggs to help with income security, shared the value of local green spaces, helped high-schoolers learn about sustainable building (through a cool micro house!), and won over $300k in grants to support literacy! Read on for details — and don’t forget to click the links to learn how you can support these great organizations.

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2Seeds Network
Today, 2Seeds delivered eggs from Kwakiliga Project to shops and buyers in Dar es Salaam, where their partners receive almost 2x more for a tray of eggs than they do in their regional market!

Washington Parks & People
Washington Parks & People had an amazing day out in Marvin Gaye and Kenilworth Parks on Saturday. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and made the Community Health Walk a success! Want to join in with your support? On June 6th is their annual Ridge Walk for Parks. So save the date, and come join for another adventure!

Reach, Inc.
Reach Incorporated won major recognition – and major cash – this week: On Wednesday, the National Book Foundation announced that Reach won a $10,000 Innovations in Reading Prize. In addition to that honor, Reach also won a $300,000 three-year grant from the Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation, a charitable organization in Washington. Congratulations to Reach, Inc! Read more in the Washington Post article here.

DC Students Construction Trades Foundation
Each Wednesday through the end of the current semester, high school CTE students in the Academy of Construction and Design are learning about energy-efficient design and sustainable building as they construct a 160 sq. ft. micro house in Northeast Washington. This exciting project is part of their Build a House – Build a Future construction education program. Previously, Academy of Construction and Design students helped build a nearly 2,000 sq. ft. single-family house in Northwest Washington. All programs are designed to give students a fast start toward jobs, college and careers.

This week the Catalogue is excited to share a more detailed look at “what’s up” with two of our charities: CREATE Arts Center, and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. Read on to learn more about their work, and how you can get involved!

CREATE Arts Center

To add some sunshine to a gray day: Spring Art Campers are creative and witty! Check out the joke in this wonderful and silly surreal environment. (Click to enlarge)

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

We love the artwork (and joke) shared by CREATE Arts Center (’13-’14)! Located in downtown Silver Spring, CREATE offers arts classes, camps, and pARTies for children ages 2 -16, and arts classes and art therapy programs for adults of all ages. Their mission is to promote creativity, self-expression, and learning in the arts. In addition to supporting CREATE through donations, you can also get involved through various employment and volunteer opportunities, such as assisting with camps, classes and other events. Do you know a student looking for leadership opportunities? CREATE is looking for interns and Counselors-in-Training as well!

Last week, young residents at APAH properties celebrated the start of spring with outdoor egg hunts and a visit from the Easter Bunny!

Last week, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (’14-’15) celebrated the start of spring with an egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny! APAH is the only nonprofit affordable housing developer working exclusively in Arlington County. Their mission is to develop, preserve, own and advocate for quality affordable housing in Arlington, and to promote opportunity for their residents through partnerships and programs. From child care, to teaching workplace skills to residents, to advocacy and more, APAH is always looking for neighbors looking to lend their time and talent in support of affordable housing in Arlington. On April 25th, volunteers are invited to APAH’s Earth Day Community Clean Up at Columbia Grove Apartments and the surrounding neighborhoods. Click for details and how to register.

…and that’s a wrap on this week’s #whatsupwednesday. Check back next week to learn more about our 331-strong community of charities!

It may be April Fool’s Day, but the work Catalogue nonprofits are doing this week is no joke! Whether its racing in support of same-day emergency assistance, teaching young girls the importance of cooperation, inspiring a young playwright, planting seeds in Tanzania, or working diligently to prevent child abuse…there’s much to be proud of this week. For information on how you can support these organization, check out their Catalogue charity pages in the links below.

Arlington Thrive
Nearly 40 Arlington Thrive supporters have Resolved to Run in 2015! These supporters are training to run the GW Parkway Classic Ten Mile and 5K race on April 26 with an expert coach. They are creating personal fundraising pages and appealing to friends and family to make a gift in their honor and support the work of Arlington Thrive. This week’s photo features their most dedicated runners who braved the cold weather on a Saturday morning at Bluemont Park in Arlington.

Girls on the Run DC
Girls across all 8 wards of the District in the Girls on the Run – DC spring season learned about cooperation this week. The girls are learning what cooperation means and understanding why cooperation is important in society. They will be challenged to begin applying cooperative skills to different situations.

Young Playwrights’ Theater
Student playwright Evan Alston from Stokes Elementary School discusses his play, Losxy Docxy, with professional actors Bryan Norrington and Kenya D. Morris during the first read-through of Young Playwrights’ Theater’s 2015 New Play Festival. April 20-22 at GALA Hispanic Theatre, professional theater artists will bring 15 student-written plays to life onstage. Free and open to the public!

2Seeds Network
2Seeds Network has a number of reforestation efforts launching this week in honor of National Tree Planting Day in Tanzania! Deforestation in Tanzania is devastatingly common, leading to major environmental issues such as soil erosion and decreased agricultural productivity. Given the widespread nature of the problem, a number of projects are employing reforestation efforts to improve soil quality and provide income sources for future generations. Read more about the Lutindi Project, 2Seeds Network’s particular approach here.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County
Today is the start of Childhood Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA Prince George’s County has an entire calendar devoted to events and tips for preventing child abuse. To learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month, click here.

Fun Fact: Did you know the Catalogue for Philanthropy now offers the ability to make recurring donations? If you see an organization that interests you, consider committing to a regular gift (monthly, quarterly, annually)! This designation can be made on our checkout page. Please contact our office (202-955-6538) with questions.

The groundhog may have predicted a long winter, but with today’s sunshine, and the activities happening our nonprofits this week, we can’t help but feel like spring is just around the corner. From creating brightly colored pottery, to an “arts & craft” fundraiser, to planning the next season of vibrant outdoor markets…Catalogue nonprofits are spreading warmth across Greater Washington.

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