(Posted 2024 November)
Volunteer and Partner Services is grateful for the two motivated interns working with the program this year. The VPS program is a lean organization with only five full-time staff members, and it’s supported by a mighty force of volunteers. Having some eager young talent goes a long way toward helping the program to execute its goals and objectives around supporting families involved with Children, Youth, and Families. Get to know our 2024-2025 interns.
Meet John Law
John Law is a fourth-year social work student pursuing his bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. His anticipated graduation date is May 2025. He was inspired to follow this career path by some personal experiences that made him to want to work in a field where he could help children to thrive and improve their lives.
John says that the most rewarding thing about the social work profession is, “knowing I can make a difference in the life of a child.”
Up to this point in life, John has mostly focused on his academics, but he has worked a few part time jobs in food service and child care. His experience with children also includes volunteering to help children in an after-school program.
After graduation, John sees himself becoming a case worker and building a long-term career in the field of social work. He believes that this internship with the Department of Family Services will help him to understand more about the various opportunities within the discipline. He is especially looking forward to learning a lot during his rotation in Child Protective Services.
John is glad to have the support of his family as he moves into this career. He is aware that it is a profession that can be emotionally taxing, and the support of his family means a lot to him. He also knows how important it is to have other interests to enrich his life outside of work. John keeps himself physically and mentally fit by making it a priority to go to the gym, and he relaxes by playing his guitar.
Meet Sammi Webber
Sammi Webber has a passion for being a positive force for healthy child and family development, to protect and provide resources for vulnerable families and children and those who or have experienced violence. She wants to promote the efficiency of programs that support them.
Sammi began her professional journey with a Bachelor of Social Work degree at George Mason University. Now she is back working toward attaining her Master of Social Work by Spring 2026. Over the years, Sammi has built up related professional experience including 10 years working as a part-time nanny, as a behavioral technician in a center for children who are on the spectrum, and working both as an administrative assistant and an intern at a community mental health center in Winchester, Virginia.
In keeping with her passion for helping others, Sammi has several long-term goals including acquiring her License in Clinical Social Work, working with adults and youth survivors of domestic violence, and providing clinical therapy for those who have experienced trauma. She is motivated by being able to help people improve at least one area of their lives, no matter how minor.
Sammi is looking forward to professional and personal growth opportunities during this internship. She can’t wait to make professional connections with established social workers and learn from them. She also is interested in seeing the practical application of the policies and concepts covered in her classes and how they impact families in real life.
On a personal note, Sammi is the oldest in a large, blended family of six children. Even though she is separated from some of her family who are on the West Coast, they remain close. In her spare time, Sammy is already exercising one of the practices essential to sustaining a career in social work – self-care. Off the job, she makes time to relax by painting, drawing, and playing video games with friends.
This article posting is part of The Volunteer Post Newsletter for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis. Learn more about Fairfax County Department of Family Services' Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS).