Department of Family Services
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22035-1102
Contact: Belinda Buescher, Public Information Officer
703-324-7758, TTY 703-222-9452
DFSPIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
February 21, 2008
Jake Mayes of Vienna Wins National Award
for Service to Children in Foster Care
Jake Mayes (pictured on the right)
demonstrates a first aid technique
with fellow Boy Scout, Tre' Berry.
Photo by Joan Brady.
Jake Mayes, 17, of Vienna, is being honored next week by the Child Welfare League of America for his exceptional work with young people in Fairfax County’s foster care and adoption program.
Jake will receive the 2008 Kids to Kids National Service Award from the Child Welfare League of America during the organization’s 2008 national conference in Washington D.C. The award will be formally presented at an awards luncheon on the closing day of the conference, Wednesday, February 27. Jake will also be honored at a reception Tuesday evening, February 26. Both events will take place at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Rd., NW, Washington, D.C. www.cwla.org/conferences
Last fall, Jake organized a community service project to introduce scouting to a group of young people who participate in Fairfax Families4Kids, an initiative of Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services that brings together community volunteers, mentors, and advocates to support older children in the county’s foster care and adoption program who are seeking permanent, adoptive homes.
Together with his fellow scouts in Troop 13, Jake organized a “Day of Scouting” for 15 children in foster care, 20 mentors, 6 potential adoptive families, and many volunteers. The day involved hearty doses of Boy Scout camaraderie, as well as lessons in survival skills such as pitching tents, first aid, outdoor cooking and how to find your way out of the woods.
“The boys had one of their best days ever, thanks to the dedication and effort of Jake Mayes,” says Beverly Howard, coordinator for Fairfax Families4Kids.
Jake has volunteered with a number of activities for young people in the county’s foster care and adoption program, including a chess tournament and a basketball camp.“The children in foster care look up to him,” Dr. Howard observes. “Several are now interested in becoming Boy Scouts, thanks to Jake.”
For more information about ways to help support local children in foster care, contact Beverly Howard at 703-324-7518, TTY 703-222-9452, Beverly.Howard@fairfaxcounty.gov
Note to news media: Photo available on request.
Contact Belinda Buescher at 703-324-7758, TTY 703-222-9452,
Belinda.Buescher@fairfaxcounty.gov
# # #
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability
in all county programs, services and activities.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.