Department of Family Services – Children, Youth and Families

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-7500 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Oriane Eriksen
Director

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Volunteer & Partner Services: A Year of Community Impact FY 2025

Since 2013, Volunteer & Partner Services has connected community members and organizations with children and families involved with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Through volunteers, in kind donations, and strategic partnerships, VPS helps strengthen safety, stability, and well being for families who are at risk of abuse or neglect, or who are caring for children in kinship or foster care.

Over the past year, VPS volunteers and partners continued to support children in classrooms and courtrooms, mentored youth, comforted families in crisis, and provided essential items that stretched tight household budgets.

Every hour volunteered, every class taught, every basket, backpack, and move provided supports the resilience of children and families in Fairfax County. Volunteer and Partner Services extends a sincere thank you to all volunteers, donors, and partners who made this year’s impact possible. 

The Administrative Assistant Program places trained volunteers in key support roles across the Children, Youth, and Families Division of the Department of Family Services. This ensures that frontline staff can focus on directly serving children and families. The admins’ behind-the-scenes contributions increase efficiency, enhance customer service, and strengthen overall program capacity. Administrative volunteers:

  • Assist walk in clients and answer calls on the Foster Care and Adoption phone line.
  • Prepare materials for the Body Safety Program.
  • Enter and track data and manage the county’s volunteer database.

By the Numbers – Volunteers & Time Invested
In FY25, 12 administrative volunteers contributed 1,059 hours of service, valued at more than $36,000. 

  • Active Volunteers: 11 (FY23); 16 (FY24); 12 (FY25)
  • Volunteer Hours: 1,741 (FY23); 1,474 (FY24); 1,059 (FY25)
  • Value of Volunteer Hours*: $56,739 (FY23); $48,038 (FY24); $36,459 (FY25)
     

Volunteer Spotlight

“Now that I’ve retired, I think it’s about time to give back for the many benefits I have received from this great county.”
— Haeyoung Yun, Administrative Assistant Volunteer

Through the BeFriend A Child Mentoring Program, caring adults meet with children involved with the child welfare system at least twice a month for activities that build confidence, social skills, and trust, and group outings that help children connect with peers and broaden their horizons.

This year, BeFriend strengthened community partnerships with Barber Holdings, 4 H, Second Star Farm, and Tickets for Kids, giving mentees access to summer camp, pony rides, amusement parks, and other experiences they might not otherwise have experienced.

Key Takeaways in FY25

  • 41 active mentor–mentee matches
  • 2,882 volunteer hours, valued at over $99,000.
  • Referrals from across the county, including South County (20), North County (11), Annandale (4), and Fairfax (6).
  • 100% safety record with no validated CPS reports involving mentee families during matches.
  • Developed an outcome survey to better measure mentor and mentee growth and program impact.

By the Numbers – Matches, Children, and Volunteer Time

  • Active Matches & Children Served: 32 (FY23); 51 (FY24); 41 (FY25)
  • Volunteer Hours: 2,049 (FY23); 1,500 (FY24); 2,882 (FY25)
  • Value of Volunteer Hours: $66,783 (FY23); $61,921 (FY24); $99,195 (FY25)

Personal impact:

“My son is discovering beautiful things and places. I feel grateful to you for what you do for us.” — BeFriend Parent

 


 

“This initiative is more than just a mentorship program—it is a lifeline for children who need positive role models, support, and encouragement to navigate life's challenges.” — BeFriend Mentor

 

“As I was going into the mentorship program, I was nervous… The mentors were friendly and helped me feel like I fit in. My mentor gave me important information about school and life… This program lets you connect to other kids, and the trips are fun, so this mentor program is good for all kids.” — BeFriend Mentee

The Body Safety Program delivers age appropriate child abuse prevention education for preschool through sixth grade in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, local preschools, and community organizations. Volunteers teach children how to recognize unsafe situations, identify and talk to safe adults, and follow simple safety rules. The program connects children and families with help when concerns are identified.

In FY25, 41 Body Safety volunteers taught 916 classes, reaching 14,446 children. We partnered with 14 additional FCPS schools (a 56% increase) and two preschools.

Safety and follow up is built into the model:

  • 166 students received follow up support.
  • 32 reports of suspected abuse/neglect were submitted.
  • 20 reports screened in, connecting children and families directly with services
  • Students averaged 93% on Body Safety understanding.

As one FCPS administrator noted, “This program plays a crucial role in teaching children how to identify abuse, talk to safe adults, and follow safety rules… We firmly believe in the importance of this program in ensuring the safety of our students.”

By the Numbers – Comparing Volunteers, Time Invested & Program Reach

  • Active Volunteers: 37 (FY23); 42 (FY24); 41 (FY25)
  • Volunteer Hours: 1,325 (FY23); 1,511 (FY24); 1,506 (FY25)
  • Value of Volunteer Hours: $43,178 (FY23); $49,243 (FY24); $51,828 (FY25)
  • Children Served: 8,663 (FY23); 15,053 (FY24); 14,446 (FY25)

Volunteer Spotlight

“I volunteer teaching the Body Safety program because I am very much aware of the prevalence of this problem in our society and wish to do my part to protect children.” — Dr. Dan Otchy, retired surgeon and proud grandfather of 10, Body Safety volunteer

The Adopt A Family Program connects donors with families experiencing financial hardship during the holidays. Donors provide gifts and essential items that help relieve stress, promote family connection, and ensure that children feel remembered and valued.

Most recent year:

  • 697 donors.
  • 2,190 children received gifts.
  • 1,009 families supported.
  • $211,008 was the direct value of gifts and supports in 2024.

A donor from Project Belong shared that the partnership not only benefited 72 children and youth, but it also gave former foster youth an opportunity to organize and deliver gifts—turning their lived experience into leadership and healing.

Estimated Cost Benefit
(*Estimated value of donated gifts and supports)

  • 2022: $385,995*
  • 2023: $355,470*
  • 2024: $211,008
     

Rylynn, a Labrador–Golden Retriever mix, bred and trained by Canine Companions®, is the first facility dog in the DFS Children, Youth and Families Division. Working with Samantha “Sam” Carrico, LCSW, Rylynn brings calm and comfort to children and families during some of their hardest moments.

Rylynn’s FY25 Community Impact

  • Supported 25 Body Safety follow up visits in schools.
  • Comforted children during three court appearances.
  • Attended three BeFriend A Child events.
  • Participated in 57 community outreach events.

Story and Support

One child wrote to Sam and Rylynn after court: “Thank you for being there at court…I like how she (Rylynn) was always there when I needed a hug… She is a very good service dog. I am going to miss her… I am never going to forget you and Rylynn.”

To ensure that child-serving professionals know how to respond when they suspect abuse or neglect, VPS provides Mandated Reporter Trainings across Fairfax County. These trainings clarify legal responsibilities, indicators of abuse and neglect, and trauma informed practice, while highlighting resources like the Parent Support Line. This minimizes invalid allegations and ensures that children most in need are identified and connected to help quickly.

FY25 By the Numbers

VPS trained 1,675 professionals at 45 locations including:

  • Schools (3), childcare centers (3), and FCPS transportation (14).
  • Medical and mental health professionals (9).
  • Law enforcement (4), court/legal groups (2), shelters (3), community partners (4), and DFS staff (3).

Participant Feedback

“I really enjoyed seeing so many statistics and examples of child abuse and what to look out for. The statistics really made things clear.” — Mandated Reporter Training Participant

VPS works with 85 active partners (including 22 new partners this year) who do far more than write a check. They host drives, donate services, and co create projects that directly benefit children and families. A partner can be an individual, business, faith community, civic group, or nonprofit.

In FY25, 814 donors contributed donations valued at $402,647.40, including:

  • $182,381.69 in in kind goods.
  • Checks: $6,512.34
  • Gift cards: $2,744.96
  • $211,008.41 through Adopt A Family.

In kind donations included:

  • 783 backpacks with new school supplies.
  • Approximately 250 baby boxes stocked with diapers, clothing, blankets, and essentials.
  • Holiday gifts, grocery gift cards, food, clothing, household items, and professional services such as moving and storage.

These supports are distributed year round by social workers and VPS staff, and through surplus events where practitioners “shop” for free for the families they serve. The result:

  • Children receive supplies to start school prepared and confident.
  • New parents and kinship caregivers receive infant essentials.
  • Families can redirect scarce funds to rent, utilities, medication, or transportation.

Across a typical year, VPS supports can represent several hundred dollars in direct material assistance per family—along with the non financial benefits of reduced stress, improved school readiness, and stronger connections to services.

“For the past two years I’ve been able to serve our neighbors from home through baking with Cake4Kids. We partner with DFS mentoring events, foster care birthdays, schools, and food banks so graduations, mentoring picnics, and children’s birthdays have a little something special that funding wouldn’t otherwise exist for.”
— Heather Richardson, VPS Donor

 

“In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, we learned that Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services urgently needed baby supply baskets for low-income expectant parents. That sparked our first Family Volunteer Day, ‘Baskets for Babies,’ which has become one of our most impactful projects.”
— Denise Gavilan, Executive Director, Kids Give Back, VPS Partner

 

 

 

“CQU, Centreville Quilters Unlimited, is pleased to have chosen Fairfax County Department of Family Services as a recipient of our charitable efforts, donating burp cloths, tote bags, receiving blankets, and handmade quilts to support the families you serve.”
— Diane Gallagher, CQU Community Service Coordinator, VPS Partner

 

“Our partnership with Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services has allowed MyProMovers to donate moving services to children and families in need—helping survivors of domestic violence start fresh and families move into more stable housing. Each move is more than boxes and furniture; it’s a fresh start and a chance at a better future.”
— Daniel Osminin, Vice President, MyProMovers & Storage, VPS Partner 

*The value of volunteer hours is calculated using Independent Sector’s state-level estimate. The 2024 Virginia average hourly value of volunteer time is $34.42, an increase of $1.04 per hour from the 2023 rate.

This figure is not a substitute for actual wage replacement or service replacement costs:

  • Wage Replacement Value estimates the cost of employing staff to perform the same duties as volunteers.
  • Service Replacement Value assesses the market or retail cost of services provided by volunteers, including those requiring specialized skills.

Instead, the average hourly rate provides a standardized measure to quantify the economic value of volunteerism.

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