Welcome to the 2024 September issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families.
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Adopt-A-Family for the 2024 Holiday Season
Did you know that in 2023, generous Adopt-A-Family donors partnered with our agency to provide gifts valued at more than $355,000 which helped 729 families make lasting holiday memories? Now it’s time for families, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, and more to sign up with the Department of Family Services to support families in our community who are experiencing difficult times during the 2024 holidays. Learn more or sign up now.
A New Way to Give Back to Local Families
Did you know that families served by the Department of Family Services frequently request essential items such as baby gates, highchairs, strollers, car seats, diapers and wipes? Our Volunteer and Partner Services program recently launched an Amazon Wish List to make it easier for partners and donors to directly support children and families in our community. This wish list, which replaces our Sign-up Genius drives, will stay updated throughout the year to reflect the items most needed to support our families. Please check out the Amazon Wish List and share it with others who might help. Thank you for your continued support to help meet the basic needs of local families.
4-H Summer Camp Offers Outdoor Adventure for BeFriend A-Child Mentees
Volunteer & Partner Services is thrilled that a group of our BeFriend-A-Child mentees got to spend a week at a sleepaway camp in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley over the summer. The mentees boldly stepped outside their comfort zone, explored the outdoors, and learned lifelong skills while attending 4-H camp. Learn more about this traditional rite of passage, and how it transformed our campers! Read more.
Annual VPS Back to School Drive Supports Academic Success
School supplies are essential for every student’s academic success, so each year the Volunteer and Partner Services program strives to meet this basic need for the families and children involved with the Children, Youth and Families Division in Fairfax County Department of Family Services. This year VPS was incredibly fortunate that the Fairfax County Democratic Committee generously donated more than 350 backpacks full of school supplies and reusable water bottles for our families, and we just want to say, “Thank you!” We are so appreciative for this gift to improve the lives of the children and families we serve. Read more.
BeFriend-A-Child Field Trip is in a League of its Own
The BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring program hit it out the park with their trip to the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds. The group braved the sweltering heat to enjoy America’s pastime – many for the first time! It was a close game, but both BeFriend and the Washington Nationals were able to pull out a win for the day’s festivities! Thanks to Tim Barber of Barber Holdings and Tickets for Kids for their sponsorship of this event. Everything from the bus ride there, the complimentary food and drink, and the seats themselves were provided so these kids could have the ultimate Major League experience! Read more.
Sponsor Spotlight – Foster Youth Innovation
Thank you to FYI, Foster Youth Innovation, and its inspirational young founder, Harlee Chapman who is on a mission to make a difference for youth in foster care, to support them, encourage their success, and educate local communities. FYI recently hosted a couple of donation drives benefitting youth in foster care in Fairfax County and beyond. The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is grateful for Harlee’s support and wishes her and FYI continued success! Read more.
George Mason Alumni Magazine Profiles VPS Supervisor, Samantha Carrico
Volunteer and Partner Services Supervisor, Samantha “Sam” Carrico, and her facility dog Rylynn, a five-year-old Labrador golden retriever mix, are used to drawing a lot of attention everywhere they go. Sam and Rylynn are often spotted serving children and families in the community in a variety of ways. Check out this new George Mason Alumni Magazine profile of this dynamic duo to understand Sam’s educational and professional journey and motivation, and how her partnership with Rylynn came to be.
ABOUT VOLUNTEER & PARTNER SERVICES (VPS)
The Volunteer Post Newsletter is part of the Department of Family Services Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS) - managing volunteer programs (Administrative Assistant Program, BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program, Body Safety Program - Speak Up Be Safe, recruiting and training volunteers for programs (Father Engagement Program and Parenting Education Programs); and working with partners, sponsors and donors to help in special efforts (Adopt-A-Family Program, Baby box initiative, back-to-school backpacks). Learn more about VPS and how volunteers are making a positive difference.
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