Welcome to the 2023 March issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis.
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Join Us for our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, Tuesday, April 11
Our amazing volunteers are the backbone of our programs. We could never have made such an impact in the community this past year without each of you! Let us celebrate you, our dedicated volunteers and donors, during National Volunteer Month this April. Join us for our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event! We are so excited to hold the event in-person this year at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA on Tuesday, April 11, from 6-8 p.m. Let us know if you plan to come. Reply by email to Samantha Carrico or call 571-536-8192 by March 28.
Planting Pinwheel Gardens for Child Abuse Prevention
Partner with our Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Program and be a part of interrupting the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Help us raise awareness of this issue within our community during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Volunteer with the Department of Family Services to help plant pinwheel gardens around Fairfax County at libraries, community centers, local businesses, houses of worship, schools or your organization. Check out how to get involved.
Foster the Family D.C. Offers Support and Encouragement
Our partners at Foster the Family D.C. recently hosted a site visit with a team from Children, Youth, and Families including Sam Carrico, VPS Supervisor and Rylynn, our facility dog. It was a great opportunity to learn more about this organization and the work they do to make life less stressful for foster, adoptive, and kinship families in our region. Learn more about the services provided by Foster the Family, and find out how you can get involved in supporting their work benefitting vulnerable children and those families who care for them.
Introducing Volunteer & Partner Services Intern, Megan Fedor
Our intern Megan is a student at George Mason University working toward her Master of Social Work; however, her pathway to this career is not what you might expect. Learn about how she pivoted from teaching in higher education to pursuing a new career in child welfare.
Celebrating Rylynn’s 4th Birthday
Happy 4th Birthday to Rylynn on, March 10! Rylynn is a great support to children involved with our Children, Youth, and Families Division. Did you know that Rylynn was part of the “R Litter” of puppies when she was born in California through the organization Canine Companions®? Learn more about her litter and how they are serving others.
DFS Celebrates Social Work Month
March is Social Work Month – a time to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the important work of social workers. Social workers with the Department of Family Services help break down barriers that prevent people from living more fulfilling, enriched lives. Learn more about the work they do on behalf of children, families, people impacted by gender-based violence, older adults, and adults with disabilities. VPS Volunteers, partners, and donors support social workers in our Children, Youth, and Families Division to help effect change in our community.
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.
Browse through past newsletters in the archive.