News

At Second Story, we are committed to addressing mental health and mental illness in a way that heals the whole person, strips away stigma, and works toward health and hope.  [Continue reading]

Technology is woven into the fabric of young people’s lives, their relationships, and their consciousness. To care about a young person is to care about their online presence and take proactive measures to ensure their safety.  [Continue reading]

Can you believe summer is already over? It is already the third week of school for the young people in our programs. A new school year should be an exciting moment in any child’s life, so we seek to ensure that every young person in our community can face this season with the resources to succeed.   [Continue reading]

Traffickers and abusers prey on the vulnerable, the ones with no place to go and no one looking out for them. “Pedophiles and criminals know to go to low-income places because the kids are more vulnerable,” says Nandred Navarro, Vice President of Community-Based Services at Second Story. The statistics are clear: a young person without a safe place to stay is more at risk to be sexually abused or trafficked.   [Continue reading]

The young people in our programs are in the middle of this remarkable season, and it excites me to think about the tremendous amount of possibility bottled up in each them. Whether they’re destined to be rocket scientists, famous authors, teachers, or loving parents, each of them is entitled to a future full of promise. Unfortunately, many of these youth are seriously disadvantaged compared to their peers.   [Continue reading]

"Summer’s surge of freedom can be sweet for a lot of kids, but it also opens them up to more risks--especially if there is a lack of accountability and care at home," says Judith Dittman CEO of Second Story.  [Continue reading]

"If we can’t remedy the situation over the phone, then they can come in and stay in our program, and really look at what the issues are at home," said Meghan.  [Continue reading]

Second Story is on the steering committee of Culmore Clean-Up, a project which is focused each year on beautifying and enlivening the Culmore community.  [Continue reading]

Dear Friends, Spring is finally here and I don’t know about you but I can feel summer in the air. I know I’m not the only one. Another school year is coming to a close, and young people are looking forward to leaving classrooms behind for summer fun. But first there are final papers, final

At Second Story, we ensure that the young people in our programs get access to mental health services and counseling when they need it. We are glad to be a participant in Mental Health Month, and to help everyone learn that mental health is everyone's business.  [Continue reading]

Our new name and look was featured in the Vienna Connection newspaper. Our CEO Judith Dittman was featured, as well as our Vice President for Development, Jade Leedham. Reporter Colin Stoecker joined us for our announcement of "Second Story."  [Continue reading]

"Last week, I announced for the first time that I was CEO of Second Story. Alternative House is writing our next story... Through this name change, our services to young people, their families, and their communities have continued without interruption," says Judith Dittman CEO of Second Story.  [Continue reading]

A beloved local nonprofit organization is changing its name and look, after 45 years of service to Fairfax County and the greater Washington DC area. Starting on Wednesday, April 5, at 5 PM, the organization “Alternative House” will be called “Second Story.”  [Continue reading]

We have been helping families understand the paperwork they need to ensure that, should the need arise, children can live with other trusted adults if Mom or Dad do not come home.  [Continue reading]

We currently have nine council members, ages 14-18, who help us understand the issues facing young people, and how to talk to them about the things they care about.  [Continue reading]