Arlington County Board Member
J. Walter Tejada helped host the
Community Role Models' Second Annual Summer Celebration at Whitlow's on Wilson on July 17, according to
The Connection. This initiative "was started in 2004 by County Board Member Walter Tejada, as a way to familiarize Arlington's young adults with the nonprofit organizations and volunteer options available to them."
Tejada said at the Celebration, "Arlington has a pool of very talented, energetic, young people … who are eager to participate and help" and he cited Arlington’s highest per capita population of young adults as evidence for why the community should reflect diversity, not just pertaining to race and ethnicity, but diversity of ages, viewpoints and gender as well.
According to Tejada, "We need to encourage young people to engage in civic life in a way that they enjoy it" including celebrating Arlington’s diverse community, providing its young adults with leadership roles, and encouraging them to become part of the 'Arlington Way' tradition."
Volunteer Christie Amberman said, "It’s easy to be too focused on your job or education," she said. "CRM is a great opportunity to feel more connected … it makes a difference in making Arlington your home. We have a different activity each month. You can try out something new, and if you like it, find a long-term opportunity, like mentoring a child or working in the Arlington public libraries."
Upcoming CRM events include the Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment’s Pickup & Drinkup and Offender Aid and Restoration’s Project Christmas Angel. For more information, visit
CRM’s Web site. Tejada declared that "Community Role Models' future is bright, its limit is whatever limit you want to set."
