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welcoming 2026

 
As the calendar turns, January offers a moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead together. Throughout 2025, Britepaths was honored to walk alongside individuals and families navigating change, challenge, and opportunity. With the support of donors, volunteers, and partners, our programs continued to provide stability, connection, and pathways forward for thousands of neighbors across our region.
Looking ahead to 2026, we remain committed to strengthening and expanding our impact. In the year ahead, Britepaths will continue investing in financial empowerment, workforce development, food security, and emergency support, while deepening partnerships that enable us to meet people where they are. Our team and community aim to carry forward the lessons of the past year and build toward a future rooted in dignity, stability, and progress.
 

winter wonderland fair:
a community centered experience

This December, Britepaths' Holiday Program culminated in our Winter Wonderland Fair, bringing families together for a festive, in-person holiday experience rooted in dignity, choice, and care. Parents selected toys and gifts for their children and received grocery gift cards to support food security over the school winter break.
Families also received household and hygiene packages, as well as drawstring care kits, from SixDegrees.org, addressing essential needs not covered by SNAP. Children enjoyed hands-on crafts like paper wreath-making and gingerbread houses, and selected books from The Secret Garden, while parents explored resource rooms. While moving through the fair, our attendees enjoyed warm lasagna from Lasgana Love, volunteers wrapped gifts, and families captured special moments at our portrait station.
We are grateful to our sponsors, Lakkis CPA, Van Metre, EYA, MainStreet Bank, and Aramark, and to our in-kind partners, EYA, Six Degrees, Lasagna Love, Fairfax County Public Schools, GMU Center for Leadership and Cultural Engagement, CPJ Associates, Hordell Photography, and Aramark, for making this celebration possible.

Behind the scenes: bringing the holiday program to life

The Winter Wonderland Fair was the result of weeks of generosity and hands-on support from community partners and volunteers working behind the scenes. 
George Mason University students and staff organized a toy drive that resulted in $1,200 worth of donated toys, helping ensure children had meaningful choices when selecting gifts. The Young Men's Service League, Great Falls Chapter, assembled 150 household and hygiene SNAP Gap Pantry packs, providing families with essential items. In the days leading up to the fairs, EYA volunteers went above and beyond, with more than 60 team members transforming our office into a true Winter Wonderland. Their creativity and commitment turned our everyday office space into a festive, welcoming experience that ensured families felt celebrated from the moment they arrived. These behind-the-scenes efforts made the Winter Wonderland possible and reflect the power of community coming together with purpose.

ways to make 2026 brighter

As we welcome 2026, it's a great time to set intentions for how we can all give back. There are many ways supporters can help Britepaths create brighter futures for local families this year:
Every action, big or small, strengthens our programs and helps families in our community thrive. Thank you for making 2025 a year of hope and opportunity. With your support, we can make 2026 a year of continued community growth.
 

Special Thanks

 
Donations, Gifts, Grants, and Sponsorships
Thank you to the following companies and organizations for their generous support:

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3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030, United States