Printer
TextCommunity Engagement in the Braddock District
Get Engaged, Improve your Community! Neighborhood Enhancement
Partnership Grants Available
September 2011 - If you have an idea or project to improve the quality
of life in your neighborhood, Fairfax County is now offering up to $5,000
in matching grants to make your community a better place to live. This
section also includes the following articles:
Volunteer Opportunities Abound
The
Shepherd Center Could use your help to continue to Provide Valuable
Services
Supervisor Cook Set to Launch Citizen Governance Initiative
June 2011 -As a follow-on to my Community Engagement Initiative
(CEI), I intend to launch a “Citizen Governance” Initiative. The
CEI was about empowering individuals to work together to improve their
own neighborhoods. In this model, government facilitates change, but does
not impose it.
Community Engagement Rolls on with an Environmental Leadership
Institute
April 2011 - As part of his continuing Community Engagement
Initiative, Supervisor Cook invites interested current or future
community leaders and volunteers to participate in a day of
information and sharing on the environment designed to empower
neighborhoods to improve appearance, interaction, openness and
sustainability.
Community Engagement Initiative Continues with Second Leadership
Institute
February 2011 - The Braddock District Community Engagement Initiative
(“CEI”) continues with a half-day “Leadership Institute,” scheduled for
Saturday, February 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Kings Park
Library in Burke.
Community Engagement Initiative Continues in February with Leadership
Institute
January 2011 - The Braddock District Community Engagement Initiative
(“CEI”) continues with a half-day “Leadership Institute,” scheduled for
Saturday, February 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Kings
Park Library in Burke; Fulfill Your New Year’s Resolution, Get Involved
and Volunteer
Inspirational Community Engagement Reports Ring in the Holiday
Season
December 2010 - Since I came into office almost two years ago, I
have made increasing citizen involvement my number one priority. I
believe that starts with engaged communities and connected neighborhoods.
Whether it be serving as a neighborhood watch or emergency response
volunteer, helping in the schools, or visiting a senior who finds it hard
to get out of the house, we all have something to offer.
Community Engagement Town Hall to Focus on Neighbors with
Disabilities
November 2010 - Supervisor Cook is extending the reach of his on-going
Community Engagement Initiative. Emphasizing the themes of citizen
participation, leadership training and outreach that made the Community
Engagement Initiative so successful, this expanded effort, “Engaging
People with Disabilities,” will focus on connecting community leaders
with our neighbors with disabilities, so that they can participate more
fully in community life.
Get Engaged in Your Community and Help the Environment at the Same
Time
November 2010 - Volunteer opportunities with the Artistic Rain Barrel
Program, Removing Invasive Plants from Fairfax County Parks, a
Stream Monitoring Workshop at Accotink Creek and by building Your Own
Composter
Braddock District Sponsors Packing Day to Support Deployed
Troops
October 2010 - Working with VolunteerFest® and America’s Adopt A
Soldier, Supervisor Cook will be sponsoring a Packing Day on October 23
at Lake Braddock Secondary School. This event is part of a larger
campaign, Challenge America 2010, which has a goal of sending a care
package to every deployed service man and woman by the end of
November.
VolunteerFest® is Fast Approaching, Get Engaged and Help Your
Community
October 2010 - Join Volunteer Fairfax at VolunteerFest®, on Saturday,
October 23 for its 16th annual Fairfax area day of service.
VolunteerFest® is a region-wide day of community service held in
conjunction with National Make a Difference Day. VolunteerFest® mobilizes
hundreds of volunteers to help nonprofits accomplish tasks that they
would not have the time, resources or ability to do on their own.
Volunteers with Green Thumbs Use Their Fridays to Beautify Kings Park
Library
October 2010 - For almost 20 years, a loyal cadre of Braddock residents
have worked tirelessly to improve and enhance the outside environment at
the Kings Park Library. These volunteers are members of the Friends of
the Library, and its coordinator, Norene Gerstner, serves as the Friends’
Garden Chair. Gerstner, who has been planting, pruning, weeding and
mulching at the library for 14 years, is a Master Gardener and hosts a
free weekly plant clinic from 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays at the Library
between May and September.
Community Engagement: Community Cleanup Days this Spring
April 2010 - Clean Fairfax Council and the Northern Virginia Soil and
Water Conservation District encourage Fairfax County residents and
homeowner associations to coordinate a community “Cleanup for Spring!”
Organized clean up days are a great way get engaged, to meet your
neighbors and improve your neighborhood at the same time.
Braddock District Neighborhood Colleges Set to Begin March
1
February 2010 - Phase two of my Community Engagement Initiative begins
next month with two Neighborhood Colleges. Neighborhood College is ideal
for those who want to make a difference but aren’t sure where to start.
Graduates use this program to help their neighbors, become involved in
local issues, take on leadership roles in their communities and
volunteer. Students learn about local government, meet elected officials
and leaders, meet community-based organizations, see how to build
partnerships and consensus and learn effective participation and
leadership skills, including engaging diverse communities.
Volunteer in Your Community
February 2010 - Community Engagement Tip of the Month: Mentor in the
Fairfax Public Schools: Are you a caring, responsible adult who is
interested in giving time to a student? Are you willing to
encourage that child to develop his/her strengths and capabilities? Can
you take the time to be a role model, a friend, a guide, a listener,
motivator and advocate for that child? If you answered yes to these
questions, then MentorWorks needs you!
Community Engagement Initiative Continues with January 23rd Leadership
Institute
January 2010 - The Braddock District Community Engagement Initiative
(“CEI”) continues with an all-day “Leadership Institute” scheduled for
Saturday, January 23rd at the Woods Community Center in Burke Centre. The
“Leadership Institute” is a first-of-its-kind event in Fairfax County.
Developed with a team that included myself, county officials,
representatives from Volunteer Fairfax and the Braddock District Council,
the Institute is targeted for those who are, or wish to be, officers and
directors of civic and homeowners’ associations, PTA’s, scout troops,
community pools, and community-based volunteer and non-profit
organizations.
Volunteer in Your Community
January 2010 - Community Engagement Tip of the Month: Help Pack 100 Care
Boxes for our Troops this Saturday: Join Little River Glen Senior Center
(4001 Barker Court) on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1 p.m as they try to
meet their goal of packing and shipping 100 boxes. In conjunction with
the America’s Adopt a Soldier program, Packing Day is a way to support
our troops as we gather and pack donated items as care packages that are
then sent to Service members overseas.
Become an Active Partner in Your Community Through Neighborhood College
and the Leadership Institute
December 2009 - The Braddock District Community Engagement Initiative
seeks to foster stronger connections between people and their
communities, strengthen our neighborhoods and help improve the quality of
life in the Braddock District. Below, you will find information on two
programs that will teach you how to step forward and make a difference in
your community. If you would like to sign up and join us for one or both
of these educational opportunities or are just looking for more
information contact the office at 703-425-9300 or
braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Community Engagement Begins by Reaching out to Your
Neighbor
November 2009 - Last month I launched the Braddock District Community
Engagement Initiative - a multi-faceted effort that encourages people to
get more connected to each other and their communities, and strengthens
community organizations through leadership training, support and
connections.
Getting Involved with the Braddock District Community Engagement
Initiative
November 2009 - 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: Leadership
Institute and Neighborhood College!
Supervisor Cook Launches Community Engagement
Initiative
October 2009 - It has been said that you don’t need to move in order to
live in a better neighborhood. This statement reflects the power
that individuals possess to effect positive change in their communities.
As our lives have become busier and more complex and our society more
diverse, we have lost some of our connections to one another, leaving us
more isolated as individuals and our communities less connected than they
once were. However, the Kings Park Neighborhood Initiative, which I
launched as civic association president to increase civic engagement and
pursue innovative approaches to property maintenance issues, proved that
a desire for strong communities is very much alive. It just requires a
bit of encouragement and direction.
Make a Difference In Your Community By Becoming
Involved
October 2009 - October 24th Marks the 15th Annual VolunteerFest: Sign Up
Now to Volunteer! Volunteer Fairfax is now accepting volunteer
registrations for its 15th annual VolunteerFest®, to be held on Saturday,
October 24, 2009. Hundreds of volunteers are needed at area nonprofits,
schools and parks to complete 35 projects on this county-wide day of
service. Individuals, families, corporations and civic groups are
encouraged to participate.
Help Strengthen Your Neighborhood
June 2009 - Summer is upon us. For civic and homeowners’ associations,
this often means “down” time as many organizations do not meet during the
summer and instead use the time to plan for the upcoming year. If your
organization is one of those (or even if it isn’t), I’d like to propose
some ideas for your “summer planning.”
Website Survey 