You might think Jane Collins is Heard’s founder, but no! The Heard seed was planted even before her dad’s heart attack in the 1970s (don’t know what we’re talking about? This will help). We’re committed to keeping Jane’s mom’s age a nonprofit secret, but it goes back to when linoleum floors in the kitchen were a thing. Want to see where the links take you? Click here. 
What do a teddy bear and a nun have in common? More than you think. But most of all, my dad had so much to do with why Heard exists. Dad left us right around this time 13 years ago, and his memory, legacy, and life continue to inspire me to carry on his example of “leaving this world better than when you found it.” Click here to access the links.
We are beyond thrilled to debut our first newsletter! We hope you enjoy it and share it with your friends. To access the embedded links click here. You can also opt to have our newsletter delivered right to your inbox.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it was our honor to interview Barbara Sweeney, the City of Alexandria Residential Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Program. Barbie, as we call her, runs the city’s domestic violence shelter and does so much more. Did you happen to walk through Market Square any evening this month? It’s awash in purple to bring attention to this most important cause.
Barbie talks about how COVID-19 has impacted domestic abuse, what signs to watch for, how to help, and so much more in our video and our “5 More Questions” follow-on story.
You saw the video of our executive director, Jane Collins, in the hot seat with Susan Fleischman of The Zebra admitting to her love of Ben & Jerry’s, Law & Order: SVU and how badly she needs a nap on The Zebra’s Facebook Live! show. All of the guests who Jane grilled with her “10 Questions” show got their revenge!
Oh, and Jane also talked about Heard of course, and how she will help you start a similar program in your community. Just five steps, and Jane will guide you along the way.
Didn’t see it? Our friends at The Zebra followed up with this cute print story, written by Orrin Konheim.
We love The Zebra! They are so good to us!
Alexandria, VA – Jane Collins, founder and executive director of the local nonprofit Heard, and frequent host of The Zebra’s Z-TV LIVE, will speak at the Tom Tom Foundation’s virtual summit, Cities Rising, on October 8. The event had been slated for spring 2020 before the pandemic shut it down, and it’s been reinvented as a seven-week virtual summit. Read the rest of the story here.
Update: Listen to Jane share the value of the arts in healing a community, and how she can help you start a similar organization:
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