RPCV/W COVID Community Support
In a time where COVID-19 has shut down most of DC and business has taken an important backseat to safety, we created the RPCV/W COVID Community Support Initiative to connect our community members with resources, visibility, and ways to support. If you are able to support or benefit from the businesses below, please reach out to them. We can all use a little bit more love and community during this time.
Please email Jenna at [email protected] if:
・you are a business looking for support
・you know of resources to support small businesses
Additionally, we created this spreadsheet where members can list organizations to donate to or volunteer with during this time.
Support struggling nonprofits in your country of service and right here at home with Global Giving
The Global Giving Microgrants initiative supports nonprofits that are seeing increased demands on their services, furloughing workers, temporarily shuttering in-person fundraisers, losing revenue/donations, canceling, or postponing grant projects.
RPCV/W Member Businesses
Brian Hillery, Co-owner
RPCV Cameroon 2008-2010
Brian Hillery (RPCV ) co-owns Exiles Bar and Restaurant on U-St and is a long-time partner and supporter of RPCV/W. Before closing their doors, he donated thousands of dollars of perishables and food. Brian is raising money to continue to pay operating expenses, including staff salaries.
Support: Visit https://www.exilesbar.com/shop to purchase Exiles gift cards
Nara McCray, RPCV Ethiopia 2014 - 2016
MapSnacks are delectable depictions of the natural world. Images are artistic alterations of NASA satellite imagery, modified through spatial analysis and colorful symbology.
Whether you're in search of a new face mask, bed sheets, leggings, underwear, a diary, shower curtains, or a cute pouch to hold a random assortment of knickknacks, MapSnacks can be your source. Products feature all-over earth art prints highlighting mountain, city and water features around the world.
The creator is a former NASA consultant and current humanitarian GIS and Remote Sensing Analyst. This business is a culmination of her professional expertise and creative expression.
#blackownedbusiness #womanownedbusiness
Instagram: @mapsnacks
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mapsnacks
Society6: https://society6.com/mapsnacks
Tasha Prados, Featured on NPCA's 40 Under 40 List
RPCV Peru 2011-2013
Tasha left her job at a top-three global ad agency working on multimillion-dollar initiatives for the US government and Fortune 500 clients like the National Institutes of Health, the Peace Corps, and Intel to start her own business, Duraca Strategic. Now she uses the same knowledge and processes to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits maximize their impact.
If you're a current or aspiring business owner or nonprofit leader, DM Tasha on IG @duraca.strategic to request a free strategy session, or apply for a donation-based spot in her Business Strategy, Brand Positioning & Messaging Accelerator or my Integrated Marketing, Audience & Content Strategy Accelerator by May 24.
Courtney Stipes
RPCV Eswatini '16-'18
Owner: Damian Jones
RPCV Nepal '86-'92.
A fair trade business employing women in Nepal through beaded jewelry which is sold directly on their website: https://www.aidthroughtrade.com/
Brooke Kindler and Marcelo Morinigo, Co-owners
RPCVs Madagascar
Dear Friends of Tamana,
Tamana needs your help. With the tourism industry in Madagascar shut down, and out of concern for the safety of our staff and our community, we closed our doors for business on March 17th. Since then, we have had difficult and honest conversations with our local staff regarding the future. We informed our staff that even though we are closed, everyone would still receive full salaries until the end of May. However, it is safe to assume that the effects of COVID-19 on travel and tourism will last much longer than that. We have already exhausted our finances keeping people on until May, and with no business bringing an income we really can’t continue on without your help.
We are asking you to consider purchasing gift certificates for future stays at the hostel on the gorgeous island of Nosy Be in Madagascar. These gift certificates have no expiration date and can be gifted to family and friends. With the support we receive from these contributions, we hope that Tamana can sustain for a little longer, hopefully until tourism and travel begin again.
Donate or purchase a future gift card to visit Tamana Hostel on Nosy Be in Madagascar: Together for Tamana
Alle Kamela, Non-binary Yoga Instructor
RPCV Madagascar 2013 - 2015
Alle Kamela, a trained Dharma Yogi, is non-binary and body positive. Their pronouns are they/ them/ theirs. Their classes are affirming and encouraging. Alle firmly believes yoga is for everybody. Their classes are a safe space for all, regardless of sexual orientation, body size, skin color, national origins, gender orientation, etc. They are larger-bodied and thus have personal experience adapting the poses to fit their body and can help larger-bodied folks adapt as well.
Like their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram to see when their classes are.
Facebook: YogAlle
Instagram: @nonbinaryogi
Venmo to support a future student: @AlleKamela
Owned by RPCVs, 3 of 4 partners are RPCVS
Tamar Lechter, Office Manager
Most of the clients that we support are foreign service families, which overlaps with many of them being RPCVs as well! During this time, we are hoping to grow or at least maintain our business, while our clients get their State Department post dates deferred, making it hard for us to keep going strong! Real estate and management is an essential business, so we continue to provide great service to our clients, using new technology for virtual tenant showings, virtual home inspections, etc. We continue to rely on essential partners like cleaners, contractors, and pest control.
Learn more: Globe Trotter Properties
Mary Ackley, RPCV
Founder and Chief Veggie Officer
An urban farm growing and delivering fresh salads to households all over the DMV. Prior to COVID-19 about 90% of their business was wholesale to restaurants, hotels, and caterers. They've pivoted completely to a home-delivery salad subscription model, called the Salad Share Program, and are delivering to over 200 households weekly.
Order: Summer Salad Share is now on sale (early bird pricing) and it launches June 10th.
They also offer curbside pick-up Wed-Sat at the farm, pick-up at the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market (Sundays), and delivery every Friday. All of those options are located at www.littlewildthingsfarm.com/shop
Emily Goldman Transcription and Translation Services
RPCV Costa Rica 1972-1976 and Honduras 1991-1993
Her translation assignments cover the gamut: proposal requests/submissions, grant reports and budgets, websites, book chapters, articles, PowerPoint presentations, abstracts, reports, legal docs of all kinds, correspondence, blog posts, etc.
Korona Plumbing
Catherine and John Korona
RPCV Albania 2015-2017
John is a licensed plumber in Virginia and is serving clients with plumbing needs in Virginia (only). He's happy to help members of the RPCV community in NOVA with any and all plumbing needs!
Company website: Korona Plumbing
Kizler Coffee is a family-owned cafe and coffee business that specializes in espresso and coffee sales. We sell coffee by the pound in our cafe, through local delivery, and across the country via USPS. We are a community cafe that organizes for-profit and not-for-profit art shows, sells products for other local vendors, and currently has an in-store food bank to help people in need.
Place an order: Kizler Coffee
Craig Chavis
RPCV (Peru 2014 - 2016)
Craig M. Chavis Jr. is a business coach that specializes in helping working professionals launch
profitable businesses and successfully transition into full-time entrepreneurship. He is a serial
entrepreneur, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, former division-1 collegiate athlete, and
received his BSBA from Samford University and MBA from the University of Tampa. Craig is
also a super foodie, world traveler, and lifelong learner.
Craig currently resides in Columbus, OH and can be contacted via phone, email or online at:
(301) 281-7888
[email protected]
www.cre8ivecraig.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cre8ivecraig
Instagram: @cre8ivecraig
Facebook: @cre8ivecraig
He is also a recently published author: Burdens of a Dream
Anne Pellicciotto, Founder & President
RPCV Mexico 2010-2012
Your trusted partner in Business Planning, Organizational Pivots, Life Transitions
Holistic approach for sustainable outcomes - mind, body and spirit
20 years of consulting, coaching and facilitation experience
Take your plunge: www.seechangeconsulting.com/services
Reach out for a free consult: www.seechangeconsulting.com/welcome
The IGNITE Pivot Program
- The spring Cohort runs late May to late June - exact dates TBC - 3-5 hours time investment/week
- The landing page for info is https://www.seechangeconsulting.com/post/ignite-your-pivot-this-spring
- The application can be found here - deadline is 5/18: https://forms.gle/EfzG2G5TTNpp45yu6
- The program fee is $600.Grant funding is available (based on eligibility) and accommodation will be made for folks in need. Let's get creative
Non-Member DMV Businesses to Support
Arlington Therapeutic Massage And Energy Healing
Krisstal specializes in clinical and neuromuscular massage therapy and offer highly individualized massage sessions to provide the best adjunct therapy for pain relief of chronic muscular issues such as neck and shoulder stiffness, IT band syndrome and lower back pain. Massage therapy restores flexibility and proper function in the body's range of motion to promote faster injury recovery. Massage therapy can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, and restore calm after a frenetic day.
Minority/Woman-owned
LGBTQIA+ friendly
Free Parking
Book your session now at www.arlingtontherapeuticmassage.com
