Taking care of our community is at the heart of what we do at Dweck Properties. During our first annual Week of Service, teams across the Dweck portfolio stepped away from their everyday routines and into the communities around them, finding different ways to lend a hand, support local organizations, and #DoWhatMatters.

From packing meals and food boxes to restoring natural habitats, caring for rescued animals and supporting neighbors in need, every team brought its own energy and purpose to the week. While each service project looked a little different, the goal was the same: show up, pitch in, and make a difference together.

Here’s a look at how Dweck teams spent their time giving back.

Crystal Flats

The Crystal Flats team spent the day at N Street Village, a community supporting women experiencing homelessness and other challenges. The team began by serving lunch and helping the kitchen staff with cleanup before spending the afternoon in the vocational center, where they led interactive financial literacy games, including bingo and Jeopardy.

The games quickly became more than an activity. Once the prepared materials ran out, the group continued sharing financial tips and answering questions because the women were eager to keep learning.

“We loved the opportunity to spend the day helping out others who were going through a more difficult time in their lives,” said Justin Koep, Property Manager at Crystal Flats. “It made it feel so much more meaningful to be able to see the change we were making.”

The impact lasted beyond the visit. The N Street Village volunteer organizer reached out afterward to share that the women who participated spoke highly of their time with the Crystal Flats team.

The Cosmopolitan at Lorton Station

The Cosmo team put its muscle to work at the Capital Area Food Bank in Lorton, where seven team members packaged 110 food boxes for people in need throughout the area.

Working along an assembly line, the team sorted donated food, assembled boxes, and prepared them for delivery. Everyone had a specific station, but team members quickly jumped in wherever an extra hand was needed.

“It was a great bonding moment for the team!” said Giselle Austin, Assistant Property Manager at The Cosmopolitan at Lorton Station.

Rolling Brook Village

The Rolling Brook Village team spent its morning volunteering with Northern Virginia Family Services, helping paint the walls of one of the organization’s food bank warehouses.

The project came with a little friendly competition as teammates raced to complete their walls while still getting the job done right. There was plenty of paint splatter along the way, but the team came prepared with protective bodysuits.

Head of People Services Kathy Murphy and another Dweckster even joined the team for the day, making it a true Dweck-wide effort.

Crystal Plaza 

For the Crystal Plaza team, volunteering with True Ground Housing Partners offered an especially personal connection to the work. The team helped organize and stock pantry shelves, sort donations, move food and supplies, and prepare the pantry for community members.

The experience also gave the team a chance to interact directly with the individuals and families who rely on the pantry, offering a firsthand look at the impact of the organization’s work.

“Even a few hours of our time can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life,” said Ivana Grozdanovic, Assistant Property Manager at Crystal Plaza.

The day also offered a meaningful connection to the work Dweck does every day: creating strong, supportive communities. “The experience also gave us a broader perspective on housing and community support,” Ivana shared.

Quimby on 23rd

The Quimby on 23rd team traded the office for the outdoors, volunteering at Four Mile Run on a habitat restoration project.

Working alongside conservation staff, the team removed invasive plants and weeds that can damage native ecosystems. Their efforts helped restore habitat and support the health of the park’s waterways, wildlife, and surrounding environment.

It was a hands-on reminder that caring for a community can also mean caring for the natural spaces that make it home.

The Horizons 

The Horizons team also headed to the Capital Area Food Bank, where they rolled up their sleeves to build and pack food boxes filled with essentials, including canned goods, pasta, fruit, juice, and milk.

After filling each box, the team moved the completed packages into the designated distribution area, working together to keep everything moving.

“The highlight was definitely the teamwork and great energy!” said Vonetta Lopez, Property Manager at The Horizons. “It was rewarding to step outside of our day-to-day roles, have some fun together, and know our efforts will help families in our community.”

The Sutton

The Sutton team spent its service day at Anna Sudha Community Kitchen in Dulles, helping prepare food for the evening dinner service. Their work included cutting vegetables, seasoning chicken and beef, boiling eggs, and preparing meals for community members in need.

The kitchen also provides free meals and pantry items, giving the team an opportunity to see firsthand how the organization supports its neighbors.

The day was particularly meaningful for several members of the Sutton team. Of the nine team members who participated, only four had volunteered before, making this a first community service experience for many.

Along the way, the team also had the opportunity to meet Phyllis J. Randall, Chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, who dedicates time to service efforts at Anna Sudha Community Kitchen.

The Gramercy 

The Gramercy leasing team volunteered with Martha’s Table in DC, helping support local families and organize needed resources.

Beyond the work itself, the day gave the team a chance to step outside the office and connect through a shared purpose.

“It was inspiring to see how working together, even in small ways, can bring so much joy and create smiles for others,” said Sagar Bawa, Leasing Consultant at The Gramercy.

The team left with a simple reminder that community is built through kindness, teamwork, and a willingness to help the people around us.

Crystal City Lofts 

The Crystal City Lofts team volunteered with Food & Friends, helping pack nutritious meals for individuals and families facing serious illnesses and other life challenges.

The experience offered a chance to step outside of their usual routines and see the importance of the work from a different perspective.

“It was a truly humbling experience that reinforced the importance of compassion, service, and community support,” said Bandar Badrah, Property Manager at Crystal City Lofts.

ICON at Dulles 

The ICON at Dulles team spent the day at the Centreville Humane Society farm, helping care for rescued animals, including dogs and horses.

From lending a hand with animal care to supporting the organization’s day-to-day work, the team found a hands-on way to give back. It was a rewarding opportunity to work together while contributing to an organization focused on providing a safe and caring environment for animals in need.

Crystal Square

The Crystal Square team stepped away from their desks and into the community for Dweck’s Week of Service, volunteering with True Ground Housing Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality affordable housing and resident-centered programming throughout the DC region. True Ground’s work extends beyond housing itself, connecting residents with resources and programs that support stability, opportunity, and strong, connected communities.

For the Crystal Square team, the afternoon was an opportunity to come together outside of their everyday roles and contribute to the broader community around them. As the team shared, “We love serving our residents every day, but taking the time to serve our broader community together made us proud to be part of Dweck Properties.”

The experience was a fitting reflection of the spirit behind Dweck’s Week of Service: building community doesn’t stop at the front doors of our buildings. It also means showing up for the neighborhoods and organizations that help make our region a place to call home.

The Park at Arlington Ridge

The Park at Arlington Ridge team spent their Week of Service volunteering with Bread for the City, a Washington, DC organization working to reduce the burden of poverty by providing food, clothing, medical care, legal services, and social services to residents living with low incomes. The organization serves thousands of DC residents each month, with all of its programs provided at no cost and in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

For The Park at Arlington Ridge team, the day was an opportunity to step outside of their usual roles and support an organization making a meaningful difference throughout the District.

“Serving our community and supporting such a meaningful cause was an incredibly rewarding experience,” the team shared. “It was a reminder that when we come together to serve, even small efforts can make a big difference.”

The team was grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community they proudly call home and be part of Dweck’s larger Week of Service.

Crystal Towers

Dweck Properties Corporate Office 

As part of Dweck’s Week of Service, the Dweck Properties Corporate Office team headed to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, for a day of hands-on service. Together, the team rolled up their sleeves, cleared weeds and harvested squash in support of the farm’s ongoing work.

At 283 acres, Clagett Farm is a regenerative farm that grows certified organic vegetables using climate-friendly practices designed to improve soil health, food quality and water quality. The farm also helps make fresh produce more accessible throughout the community, donating more than 30% of its weekly harvest to local food banks and food-rescue partners.

For the Corporate Office team, the day offered a chance to step outside of the usual workday, work alongside one another and contribute to a cause with an impact that reaches well beyond the farm itself.

And the Corporate Office was just one part of Dweck’s Week of Service. Across the region, Dwecksters from our communities came together to support local organizations and lend a hand in countless ways. From food banks and community kitchens to environmental projects and animal care, each team found its own way to show up for the communities around them.

The Week of Service continues beyond this first round of projects, with additional Dweck teams completing their service efforts in the weeks ahead.

Across different neighborhoods, organizations, and causes, each team found its own way to show up for its community. And while the projects may look different from one property to the next, the spirit behind them is shared: we are stronger when we serve together.