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TextGetting Involved With the Braddock District Community Engagement Initiative
Become an Active Partner in your Community through Neighborhood College and the Leadership Institute
Have you ever wanted to become more involved with your neighbors, local businesses and organizations in your community? Have you ever wondered how Fairfax County Government works, or how the Dillon rule affects Fairfax County and other Counties in Virginia? If so, Fairfax County Government has two exciting opportunities for you!
Neighborhood College
The Neighborhood College Program is a multi week program for which Fairfax County Government partners with a homeowners association, civic association, local business or other neighborhood organization to identify community strengths and strategies in order to solve community challenges. Individuals have the opportunity to learn about demographics and trends in their community, successful strategies for involving diverse communities and opportunities to become involved in organizations in their neighborhood and community. The Neighborhood College provides a great opportunity to connect and reconnect with neighbors and leaders from other organizations.
Leadership Institute
The Leadership Institute is a one day program designed to bring together leaders from homeowner and civic associations, non–profits and other community based groups. The goal is to strengthen the organizational skills of these organizations by providing best practice seminars to leaders and an opportunity to learn from others who may have experienced similar challenges in the past. Topics that will be covered during the leadership institute include, but are not limited to: fiduciary responsibilities, social networking with diverse communities, developing a neighborhood plan and vision for your community.
Both programs are free and open to residents of Fairfax County. For more information please contact the following individuals:
- Neighborhood College: Sarah Allen at sarah.allen@fairfaxcounty.gov or (703) 324-7926
- Leadership Institute: David Ellis at David.Ellis@fairfaxcounty.gov or (703) 324-3501
Community Engagement Kickoff Hopes to Spur Future Involvement
We kicked off our Community Engagement Initiative October 21 with over 125 people in attendance who learned about ways to get involved in their communities.
Several organizations, such as the Braddock District Council, Neighborhood Watch, the Area Agency on Aging, Volunteer Fairfax, the Park Authority and Emergency Response sponsored information booths that featured opportunities to become involved in the community.
Attendees were also able to register for two learning opportunities, the Leadership Institute and Neighborhood College, which are described in greater detail in the above article by David Ellis. Those interested in participating in either opportunity, or in receiving more information, should call the Braddock District office at 703-425-9300 or send an email to Ann. Sharp@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Community Engagement Tip of the Month
Students at North Springfield ES are looking for adults to be a part of their school based mentoring program. The commitment is as little as 30 minutes a week, meeting with a student in the school during school hours. A mentor can play many roles, such as a caring adult, career counselor, or teacher and homework helper. If you’re interested, please contact Ms. Jennifer Mrowka at 703-658-5500. Make a difference in a child’s life!
Support the Annandale High School Culinary Program: Buy a turkey that is prepared and ready for the oven - your purchase enables us to buy turkeys for needy families in the AHS Community. More information is on the Braddock District website.
Braddock Neighborhood News: Community Engagement
Last month, Braddock Neighborhood News featured an interview with Executive Director Jeanne Sanders of Volunteer Fairfax. The interview was in conjunction with the launch of the Community Engagement Initiative and Ms. Sanders is one of the collaborating partners on the project. Viewers learned about the benefits of volunteering, available volunteer opportunities in our community and upcoming volunteer events.
In this month’s edition, Supervisor Cook speaks with David Ellis, the Assistant to the County Executive for Neighborhood Services and Ken Disselkoen, the Director of the Department of Systems Management for Human Services.
Viewers will learn about the benefits of diversity in our neighborhoods and how to reach out through different associations and organizations in our communities. Ellis and Disselkoen also discussed the new community and leadership events being held in the coming year, specifically the Leadership Institute and the Neighborhood College.
Supervisor Cook is excited to have the support of David Ellis and Ken Disselkoen for the Community Engagement Initiative here in Braddock District and hopes you can tune in to learn about the opportunities and resources they offer. Braddock Neighborhood News airs on Fridays and Sundays at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Channel 16.
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