Homestretch Executive Director Christopher Fay, at far left, is shown at Homestretch during their holiday party on Dec. 14 with an enlarged $10,527 check given by Rotary International for the Homestretch pre-school program with Rotarians representing participating Rotary Clubs. Pictured with Fay are, from left to right, Gerry Hamilton of Vienna, Jan Auerbach of McLean, Carolyn Chappell of Fairfax, Ingrid Parris-Hicklin of Tyson’s Corner, Lynn Heinrichs of McLean, Chuck Pascoe of Burke, Susan Lydick of Bailey’s Crossroads, and Diane Hill of Falls Church. (Photo: Courtesy Joe Scheibeler)

Rotary Clubs from McLean, Alexandria, Bailey’s Crossroads, Burke, Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston, Rosslyn/Fort Myer, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna have teamed this year to partner with Homestretch, a Falls Church nonprofit organization which serves Fairfax County and provides transitional housing to homeless families.

The clubs and Virginia Rotary District 7610 have granted Homestretch $10,527 to start a preschool program for children in the families it serves.

The goal of the center, which will open in February 2012 in the Homestretch office building on Maple Avenue in Falls Church, is to enable children to become kindergarten-ready.

There are 235 children in 110 families served by Homestretch. Homestretch owns or leases 70 dwelling units to provide transitional housing for these families. Families stay with Homestretch approximately two years, and approximately 85% of the families find permanent housing and achieve self-sufficiency through services, including language, job skills, and financial management training.