Welcome to the 2025 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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Create Joyful Moments with the Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program
It’s that magical time of year again—our Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program officially opens on September 15, 2025! Thanks to your incredible generosity, last year we set record-breaking milestones, bringing joy, hope, and love to 2,190 children and 1,009 families. Help us surpass those milestones this year!
School Supply Drive Provides Backpacks for Brighter Futures
The Department of Family Services’ Volunteer and Partner Services program collected donations through its annual school supply drive to benefit children involved with DFS Children, Youth, and Families programs. Thanks to the generosity and compassion of our dedicated donors, 783 Fairfax County children entered the school year ready to face the challenges ahead. Some of our notable sponsors included Amyx A Tetra Tech Company, Brillient Corporation, Capital One, Fairfax County Democratic Committee, Freedom Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Ellen Lowe & the Tyson’s Corner Macy’s Team. Learn more.
Welcoming Volunteer and Partner Services’ Fall 2025 Interns
This school year the Department of Family Services’ Volunteer and Partner Services Program has welcomed two college interns to work with the BeFriend-a-Child Mentoring program and the Body Safety program for the 2025-2026 year. Learn more about them.
4-H Diamond Clover and Girl Scout Gold Projects Support Children in our Community
Jayson Lee, a junior at Poolesville High School in Maryland, and Kate Steele, a junior at Oakton High School are two phenomenal young leaders with huge hearts for the community. Jayson is working on his 4-H Diamond Clover Level 6 Project—a challenge equivalent to the prestigious Eagle Scout project of the Boy Scouts, and Kate is working toward her Girls Scout Gold Award. Both chose to complete projects that support children involved with the Department of Family Services including youth in foster care. Check out the impressive way these young people turned their joy in crafting handmade items into a heartfelt labor of love for those in the community in need of a boost. Learn more.
BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program Makes a Splash at Water Mine Swimmin’ Hole
The BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring program marked the end of summer with an exciting pool party at Reston’s Water Mine Swimming Hole. This annual celebration brought together mentors and mentees to enjoy a fun-filled day of swimming and camaraderie. Read more.
Dynamic Body Safety Orientation Sparks Enthusiasm
New and experienced Body Safety volunteers joined program staff in August for two creative training sessions. They reviewed the curriculum and prepared to step into classrooms across Fairfax County to share lessons in how to set boundaries and recognize uncomfortable touches and unsafe situations. We want to thank them for their commitment and invite others to join as volunteers! Learn more.
Body Safety and BeFriend-A-Child Programs Featured on ABC7 News
As kids are heading back to school across Fairfax, our Body Safety program is gearing up to go into schools to empower kids to speak up and learn healthy boundaries. Check out this ABC7 News interview to learn how this program is making a difference for children in our schools.
Two volunteers with our BeFriend-A-Child program recently sat down for an interview with ABC 7News anchor, Megan Clarke to discuss the profound impact of mentoring in their lives and in the lives of the children they mentor. Both Emily Kim and Claudia DeFries care deeply about being positive voices for their mentees and encourage others to become an adult role model for a child and help shape their future.
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. To provide feedback on our newsletter or to be added to our mailing list, contact us.