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BeFriend-A-Child

A volunteer mentoring program for 34 years, BeFriend-A-Child provides opportunities for companionship, guidance and support to children who are at risk of abuse and neglect or who have been abused and neglected. Through mentoring, BeFriend-A-Child hopes to reduce some of the child abuse and neglect "risk factors" - social isolation, lack of support, and family stress; and to enhance various "protective factors" - positive self-esteem, good social skills, hobbies, interests, and good peer relationships. BeFriend-A-Child can also help encourage youth (with strong parental involvement) to make healthy life decisions and to achieve their potential. How We Work Children from ages 5-12 are matched one-on-one with volunteers who are trained to serve as mentors and friends. In addition to spending one-on-one time together, the mentors and children participate in monthly educational and social group activities, such as the holiday party, performing arts workshop, hayride, tour of the Washington Post, and community services project. BeFriend-A-Child mentors are carefully screened, trained, and supervised by social workers. Mentors agree to spend a minimum of eight hours a month and at least twice a month for one year with their mentees. Our Mission By connecting at-risk youth with professionally supported, caring adult mentors, BeFriend-A-Child creates a community where children feel more confident and motivated to make informed, responsible life choices and become productive, involved members of the community. Interested in Becoming a Mentor? To request an application, please contact Andrea Stephenson, L.S.W., 703-324-7072 (TTY: 703-222-9452). Provide your: Name U.S. mailing address Email Work and/or home phone and the best time to reach you A brief description on why you want to become a mentor, how did you hear about our program, the work you do, and paid and/or volunteer work experiences Special Thanks to Our Sponsors Rave Motion Pictures (Fairfax, VA) Commonwealth Consultants Crowne Plaza Hotel at Tysons Corner Ultra Laser Tag Barber D.M.E. Supply Group Subway (Fair Lakes Shopping Center) Washington Sports Club The Humane Society of Fairfax County Temple Beth Torah Protocol Partners - Washington Center for Protocol The Eta Delta Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, not affiliated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Give Your Heart a Real Workout Become a Mentor The BeFriend program has been as fun and rewarding for me as it has been for the many kids it has helped. It’s allowed me to be a kid again while being a mentor to a wonderful child. - Andy retired accountant and school bus driver Being a BeFriend-A-Child mentor – like being a parent – gives me the opportunity to influence one special life over many years. - Andrea Volunteer Fairfax award recipient, trainer It’s been the most profoundly enriching, satisfying, fun experience. I’d recommend BeFriend-A-Child in a heartbeat. - Mike project engineer