Monthly Archives: April 2025

Giving a Lift to Eastside Uplift in Baltimore

Community,

This month we were honored to support Eastside Uplift — a grassroots program in Baltimore dedicated to helping families meet their most basic needs. From food and groceries to utility payments and transportation assistance Eastside Uplift is filling the gap with compassion and action.

Started just last summer by Arnetta and Kenneth Shelton Eastside Uplift was born from personal experience. The founders understand what it means to struggle — having experienced homelessness and utility shut-offs firsthand. That is why they are committed to showing up for others with no strings attached.

They work through a growing referral network across the city and often deliver food and essentials directly to families in need. Their impact is powerful and the gratitude they receive at each doorstep says it all.

To help support their mission Easterns Automotive Group presented a $2200 donation during a live broadcast of FOX45 Morning News. It is just one way we can say thank you and help carry the vision forward.

Thank you to the Eastside Uplift team for being the kind of leaders every community needs. We are proud to be a part of your story.

Pay It Forward: The Language Arc

Community,

At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe in building strong, inclusive communities. Through our Pay It Forward partnership with FOX 5 DC, we’re proud to support local leaders who are creating lasting impact — like Londyn Jackson, founder of The Language Arc Learning and Wellness Solutions in Woodbridge, Virginia.

The Language Arc is a nonprofit dedicated to improving communication and connection for neurodivergent children. From therapy services to school partnerships, their work is rooted in understanding and adapting to the unique needs of each child they serve.

Londyn’s inspiration came from a deeply personal place. After watching her cousin navigate life with Tourette’s syndrome and witnessing the challenges her family faced in getting proper support, she felt called to take action.

“I’ve always been around children who need support and need proper support,” she told FOX 5. “I was really motivated to start something that was going to support them in a way that I felt was necessary.”

To help further their mission, we donated $2,200 to The Language Arc. We know that when we invest in the right people and programs, we’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive DMV community.

Thank you, Londyn, for creating a safe space where every child can thrive. We’re honored to support your journey.

Pay It Forward: Surprising Great Vibe Events in Oakton, VA

Community, Uncategorized

At Easterns Automotive Group, community is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why our Pay It Forward partnership with FOX 5 means so much to us. It gives us the chance to lift up organizations making a real impact across the DMV.

Recently, we met the incredible Boone family in Oakton, Virginia. After tragically losing their 3-year-old daughter, who had Down syndrome, to medical complications, they turned their grief into something powerful: Great Vibe Events.

This inspiring program was created to provide a safe, welcoming space for adults 18 and older with disabilities to build community, express themselves, and enjoy life. From social gatherings to inclusive events, Great Vibe Events brings connection and joy to people who are often overlooked.

We were honored to contribute $2,200 to help support their mission and the lives they touch. The Boone family’s strength and compassion remind us of the incredible good that can come from even the most difficult circumstances.

To the Boones and everyone involved in Great Vibe Events, thank you for spreading such powerful energy through our region. We’re proud to stand behind you.

Easterns Automotive Group Supports DC Peers During Autism Acceptance Month

Community,

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back to our community is part of who we are. Through our Helping Hands partnership with ABC 7 News, we’re proud to highlight and support local organizations making a difference — especially during Autism Acceptance Month.

This month, we were introduced to DC Peers, a nonprofit in Northwest D.C. that provides a safe space for neurodiverse teenagers and adults to connect, build relationships, and support one another.

Founded eight years ago by Catherine Robertson, DC Peers began as a free, volunteer-led group focused on encouraging teenagers to socialize and grow together. Over time, it evolved into a nonprofit that welcomes middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults up to age 60.

“What we’re doing is talking about neurodiversity, and that takes a little work, so I gave kids community service hours, and it grew from there into a social group,” Robertson shared.

Jacob Weisman, community manager for DC Peers, has been officially diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and spoke about how meaningful the group has been for him. “I found it really meaningful connecting to my community and fostering connections for people who didn’t learn social skills as I did growing up,” Weisman said. “I’ve been able to connect with people and help provide them with space that they can come together as a community.”

Robertson emphasized that the goal of DC Peers isn’t to change participants, but to help them thrive. “Neurodivergence is inherited and it’s neurological, and we need to accept and understand [instead of trying] to change and fix,” she said.

After learning about the powerful work DC Peers is doing, Easterns Automotive Group was proud to make a surprise donation to support their mission and continued impact.

We’re honored to support an organization that empowers individuals to be themselves, build confidence, and find community. To learn more about DC Peers, visit dcpeers.org.

Easterns Automotive Group is proud to support organizations that lift up others and create lasting change.