Amazon Prince William County Community Fund Awards $10,000 Grant to Strengthen Maternal Health and Housing Stability Through Breaking Cycles Program

The Amazon Prince William County Community Fund has awarded a generous grant to Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) in support of its Breaking Cycles Program, a two-year residential initiative serving mothers and children experiencing homelessness in Prince William County.

This investment represents a meaningful commitment to addressing maternal health disparities, family homelessness, and economic instability within the region. The VAWFSC Breaking Cycles Program provides a two-year, structured residential model designed not only to offer immediate shelter but to create long-term pathways toward independence, stability, and generational change through housing and holistic care.

With Amazon’s $10,000 investment, VAWFSC anticipates serving up to 20 mothers and 35 children over the next 12 months through:

• Safe, stable housing within a supportive residential environment

• Individualized case management services tailored to each family’s needs

• Financial literacy and job-readiness workshops designed to promote economic mobility

• Connections to healthcare providers for consistent prenatal and postnatal care

• Access to maternity and infant supplies to ensure safe beginnings for newborns

  
  

The program aims to help at least 80% of participating mothers secure sustainable employment or pursue education opportunities, maintain a 95% housing retention rate among families completing the program, and ensure 100% of mothers receive consistent prenatal and postnatal care

Prince William County continues to face mounting economic and health challenges that disproportionately impact women and children. Approximately 6.7% of county residents live in poverty, while 9.6% of residents in Manassas City fall below the poverty line. Additionally, 42.2% of children in the region qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch, reflecting significant economic strain.

Rising housing costs, limited access to affordable childcare, and the lingering effects of inflation have left many mothers without the financial stability needed to maintain safe housing. For pregnant women, homelessness and housing insecurity can result in delayed prenatal care, unsafe living conditions, and increased health risks for both mother and baby.

Chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes further complicate pregnancy outcomes and disproportionately affect women of color. Black residents in the region experience infant mortality rates three times higher than white residents, underscoring persistent disparities in maternal and infant health.

Local emergency shelters are frequently at capacity and are not designed to provide the long-term stability families need to recover and rebuild. VAWFSC’s two-year residential model fills this critical gap by offering structured housing combined with trauma-informed care, maternal health support, and workforce development.

The Breaking Cycles Program has consistently demonstrated strong outcomes that reflect its comprehensive approach:

• 85% of mothers in the program delivered full-term babies, compared to a national average of 72%.

• All participating mothers receive trauma counseling, resulting in an average 50% reduction in trauma-related symptoms based on pre- and post-assessments.

• 60% of women who completed the housing program secured stable employment and housing within six months, an increase from 40% in prior years.

• 100% of mothers currently in the program are fully employed.

  
  

These outcomes illustrate the power of stable housing combined with integrated support services. Children in the program experience increased emotional security and improved readiness for school, while mothers gain confidence, practical life skills, and the financial tools necessary for independence.

Funding from Amazon will directly support housing stabilization costs, maternity and infant supplies, and case management services that connect families to prenatal care, healthcare providers, mental health resources, and community-based programs.

The impact of this investment extends well beyond the immediate grant period. Families who complete the Breaking Cycles Program move from crisis to long-term stability, reducing local homelessness and decreasing reliance on public assistance. Many graduates return to serve as mentors, volunteers, or house support staff, creating a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment that strengthens the entire community.

VAWFSC also collaborates with healthcare providers, local government partners, and community organizations to share best practices in maternal health and housing stability. The Breaking Cycles model represents a replicable and scalable approach to addressing maternal health disparities and family homelessness at a regional level.

By supporting the Breaking Cycles Program, Amazon joins VAWFSC as a partner in ensuring that every child in Prince William County has access to safe housing the foundation for health, education, and lifelong opportunity.

For more information about the Virginia Women and Family Support Center and its programs, please visit vawfsc.org.

ABOUT VIRGINIA WOMEN AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER

The mission of Virginia Women and Family Support Center is to provide comprehensive long-term residential support for women and families who are experiencing homelessness. We invest in and empower vulnerable women and her family for lives of dignity, hope, independence and self-sufficiency. We envision a community where families have safe, secure, and stable housing with sufficient resources and space to plan for their futures, and pursue happiness.We believe in new beginnings. We invest in, inspire and affirm residents to actively participate in creating and pursuit of their goals. Virginia Women and Family Support Center meets individuals at all stages of life and fosters loving, and family-centered values. We believe all life has value. We strive to embody our values in everything we do and in all of our relationships with clients, team members, partners, and the broader community.

ABOUT CYCLE BREAKERS 

Virginia Women and Family Support Center believes in the power of community and bridging the gap by using our collective might to create the change we seek. Your support has made our home a safe haven for homeless families. We are aware that our organization has been a beacon of hope for pregnant women and children caught in cycles of homelessness. You can be the help families need to succeed through our Cycle Breakers Program, giving women the keys to unlock their potential to build a hopeful future for their children through your monthly giving. Our program provides the support and resources to help women break unhealthy cycles and move forward. Your monthly contribution of as little as $20/month helps house women and families. Each contribution is a direct deposit toward helping women develop new habits for stability and wealth building. Please join us in giving women the keys to unlock their passion, heal from trauma, and to learn to care for themselves and her family.

When you invest in women to break cycles, you’re investing in future generations to change the world. Become a part of the movement at vawfsc.org/cycle.