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

The Volunteer Post Newsletter – 2021 Fall

The Volunteer Post Newsletter blue banner graphic

Welcome to the 2021 Fall issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis. 

Table of Contents
  • What's New
  • Program Highlights
  • Volunteer & Partner Recognition
  • Partners and Donors
  • Community Comments
  • About Volunteer & Partner Services

 

What's New

Rylynn resting on Samantha Carrico's lap posing graduation photoDepartment of Family Services Welcomes New Facility Dog
We’re excited to announce that our first furry four-legged staff member has joined the Children, Youth and Families Division!

Our new facility dog, Rylynn, is a 2-year-old Labrador Golden Retriever Mix. She has received extensive training by Canine Companions® and will provide emotional support to children and their families throughout a sexual abuse investigation. Rylynn has been placed and certified as a facility dog team with Samantha “Sam” Carrico, LCSW.

Check out this article to learn more about the work Rylynn is doing and how our sponsors have supported her.


Three Types of Aces graphicToxic Stress and the Developing Child
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) or childhood trauma, impact the development of a child’s brain in a variety of ways that can have a lasting impact.

Check out this article to learn about how this extreme activity can be offset by positive childhood experiences in youth serving programs such as our BeFriend-a-Child Mentoring, Body Safety, and Study Buddy Tutoring programs.

(Graphic Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Credit: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)

Program Highlights

Volunteer & Partner Services Returns to in Person
child and adult with bicycles on bike path Learn about the return to in-person Volunteer & Partner Services programs, including Body Safety, BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring, Study Buddy Tutoring, and Administrative Assistants.

We would love to have you volunteer with us! Get more information by contacting Krissa Slone by email or call 703-324-7751.

 

 


It’s Time for the Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program
Adopt-A-Family variety of gifts displayedGood news! The Adopt-A-Family Program is ready to start its 15th season! You can be someone’s holiday angel.

Participants now have the option to help the same family at Thanksgiving and throughout the year. Check out the Adopt-A-Family details and then reach out to us to participate.

If interested, contact Krissa Slone by email or call 703-324-7751.

 

 


Volunteer & Partner Services Welcomes Emily Swenson as Program and Partnership Coordinator 
Emily SwensonPlease join us in welcoming Emily Swenson, the newest Volunteer & Partner Services’ team member.

We’re excited to have Emily, a native of Fairfax County, join our staff as the Program and Partnership coordinator! She has a deep knowledge in the fields of volunteer management and partnership development; helping others find their unique gifts and how to serve their community.

Get to know Emily.

 

Volunteer & Partner Recognition

Introducing Volunteer & Partner Services' "New" Volunteers
We’re excited to announce several volunteers joining Volunteer & Partner Services or taking on new roles within our organization! This realignment has allowed us to be more responsive to changes in the needs of the families we serve and more efficient in the operations of the work we do. Learn more about our “new” team members.

Mary Lou WithemIsha MeligeMarie Conteh


MyProMovers employee carrying furnitureMyProMovers Recognized for Donating Services to Our Families Supported by Family Services
One of Volunteer & Partner Services’ long-term partners, MyProMovers, recently was featured on a local news outlet, WDVM, in recognition of their generous contributions to families in Fairfax County. While moving prices were on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, MyProMovers increased the number of free moves they provided per month to accommodate the increased need among families served by VPS. Check out this video.

 

Partners and Donors

We are Grateful for HACAN's Support of the Body Safety Program
HACAN logo graphicWe truly appreciate the support our Body Safety Program received from our partner Hispanics Against Child Abuse & Neglect (HACAN) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

When our main host, Fairfax County Public Schools, stopped in-person teaching, Body Safety shifted to a fully virtual format. HACAN was a major source of family referrals for the individualized Body Safety sessions, and made it possible for the program to continue empowering children across the Fairfax County. Learn more about this partnership.

 

 


Back-to-School and Diaper Drives Provide Supplies for Hundreds of Children Involved with Family Services
LiveWell diaper drive two people standing next to diaper boxesVolunteer & Partner Services ran a successful Back-to-School Drive this year. We connected with different donors in the community to not only collect backpacks filled with supplies, but also gift cards for older students and additional supplies.

Sponsors, Touching Heart and Camp Christmas in July, provided nearly 700 backpacks filled with school supplies. In addition, other community sponsors like Alice’s Kids provided more than 100 gift cards and additional school supplies. Learn more about their generosity

Community Comments

Testimonials
In each issue of our newsletter, we like to share some notes we receive from the individuals impacted by the volunteers and services VPS provides. These notes of gratitude from families and partners in our community help to amplify how you can make a difference by continuing to support them through VPS.

“I love teaching the class in Spanish and being able to empower children to speak up, identify their protective adults and promote respect for themselves and others in their own language.” Elizabeth Martinez, Body Safety Program, bilingual facilitator

“My son really enjoyed the Homework Helpers-Study Buddy Program over this past school year. When he came to the program, he was struggling with math, reading, and English and because of the program I watched him improve a great deal! In fact, because of his improvements he was invited to the Young Scholars Program! I absolutely would recommend this program to anyone who needs tutoring support!” Mrs. Zuniga, parent/guardian of Homework Helper tutee participant

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, On-Call volunteers, Study Buddy Tutoring Program); 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.

Browse through past newsletters in the archive.

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