Welcome to the 2024 May issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families.
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2024 Volunteer and Partner Appreciation Event Celebrates Our Supporters
We want to thank everyone who was able to attend the VPS Volunteer and Partner Appreciation Dinner on April 18 and extend our deepest gratitude to all the donors from Fairfax County and beyond who contributed to the fun, food, prizes, giveaways, and more. You helped make the night a success! Learn more about speakers, honored guests, and the support of all our sponsors including our major contributors: Crafthouse Fairfax, Pev's Paintball, Exurb Fitness, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax Marriot Fair Oaks, and Texas Roadhouse Chantilly.
Donation Drive to Restock the VPS Baby Supply Closet
Join the Department of Family Services Volunteer and Partner Services program as we collect new, unused baby supplies such as high chairs, strollers, car seats, cabinet safety latches, door knob safety covers, crib sheets, baby gates, etc. If you are interested in helping to make sure that local families have some basic necessities for their children, please email Samantha Carrico, call 571-536-8192, or sign up online to coordinate a donation drop off. We appreciate your generous donations and support to help families thrive!
Spotlight on Georgia Hubert, Body Safety Program Volunteer
After retiring from a rewarding career with the U.S. Department of State, Georgia Hubert felt that it was time for her to give back. The 68-year-old Fairfax County resident began volunteering with the Body Safety Program two and a half years ago. Body Safety is a child abuse prevention program that goes into the schools to teach children all over Fairfax County about the 5 Body Safety Rules and how to protect themselves from dangerous situations and people. Learn about Georgia and why she supports this program and how you can get involved.
BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program Hosts 2024 Spring Gathering for Families
Recently, the BeFriend-A-Child mentors and mentees enjoyed the Annual Spring Gathering. The event this year was bigger than ever, and there was no shortage of fun to be had! Everyone was all smiles as they enjoyed soccer lessons, arts and crafts, carousel rides, and raffles galore! Check out some of the photos to get a glimpse of the fun!
Mentoring Fathers to Be the Best Dads They Can Be
Male mentorship programs like our Dads Parenting Groups help dads grow as parents, and we rely on committed fathers and father figures to volunteer as co-facilitators. Learn more about a partnership with the Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity that aims to help dads understand their importance in the family and become actively involved in their children’s lives.
Get Involved During Foster Care Month!
Were you aware that there are nearly 400,000 children and youth in foster care across the nation, while in the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are more than 5,000 children and youth in foster care, and more than 200 locally? Foster Care Month is dedicated to raising awareness of issues related to foster care and to celebrate those, like our foster parents, who are dedicated to serving our children, youth, and families. This year, the Children’s Bureau’s theme for Foster Care Month, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities,” emphasizes the importance of involving young people early and often throughout their time in foster care to help improve their experience while in care and improve their long-term outcomes. We encourage everyone to get involved! Visit our local Community Engagement Toolkit, sign up for our upcoming Foster Care Coffee Chat virtual interest meeting, and/or check out these ways to support older youth in foster care.
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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