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Community Corner

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Welcome to the Department of Family Services' Community Corner. Our weekly newsletter, updated each Wednesday, provides information about upcoming events, parenting and wellness tips, programs and services, and more! Share these helpful posts with your family and friends.

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Click here to view the latest Community Corner newsletter!

Step onto the mat with your whole family for a heartwarming session of "Family Yoga." From 5-year-olds to older adults, all are welcome to join in this virtual inclusive experience. Together, we'll explore gentle poses, breathing exercises, and playful movements that promote connection and unity. Regardless of skill level, our class offers a space for everyone to relax, have fun, and deepen their relationships. Come share laughter, support, and tranquility as we balance mind, body, and spirit as one family on the yoga mat during this webinar from 12-12:45 p.m. Register to receive an email with access instructions for this virtual class. Learn more about family caregiver resources.

As a mentor, you can make a difference to a child in need with fun activities designed to build up their social skills and increase their self-esteem while preventing the risk of child abuse and neglect! If you have some time to commit to connecting with and mentoring a child between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, and you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that works around your availability. Learn more and sign-up!

Save the Date! Harris Teeter is hiring for a variety of managerial roles and other positions in stores across northern Virginia. You don’t want to miss this opportunity with the potential for on-the-spot job offers! Open Roles include: Department Managers, Deli Managers, Dairy Managers, Produce Managers, Meat Managers, Grocery Managers, Customer Service Managers, Cake Decorators, and more.

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Where: Pennino Building, 2^nd Floor, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Learn more and register now !

Do the teens you work with come to you with questions about social media and dating online? Do you struggle to keep up with the latest changes in technology and how they impact your youth or client’s safety? Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is pleased to invite you to a training that will equip you with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent, and address tech-enabled abuse among teens. Join us on July 31 at 2 p.m. to hear from an expert on digital violence and ways to approach this topic with kids. Virtual via Zoom. Register online.

Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided. Contact Debra Miller or Nora Nieto for more information.

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is looking for a few good volunteers! Sign up to learn about DSVS, the services the division provides and the population it serves. Discover how volunteers can contribute to the DSVS mission and the application process. Orientation is free but registration is required. Multiple dates, starting Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, are available. Choose the one that works best for you.

In this workshop, participants will explore the messages we are taught about gender and how they can affect our relationships with ourselves, loved ones, and community. We will discuss the impact gender roles and stereotypes have on everyone and how this knowledge can help us prevent violence. This workshop is aimed at grandparents and older adult caregivers to children, teens, and young adults interested in learning how to talk about gender with young people in their life. Parents and youth serving professionals also welcome. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Ln., Alexandria, VA, 22306, 3-4:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Zayne Reeves.

Do you feel a disconnect between you and your children when it comes to technology? Do you worry about helping your teen safely navigate the digital world? Join us Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to hear from an expert on digital violence who helps frustrated parents learn about simple tips to parent effectively in the digital age, preparing their kids to be safer online. Workshop offered via Zoom and in person. Light refreshments will be served at in-person locations. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided. Contact Debra Miller or Nora Nieto for more information.

Are you available on weekdays during school hours? Do you enjoy working with kids? If so, this opportunity is for you! The Department of Family Services’ Body Safety Program needs volunteer classroom instructors to help empower elementary students with the tools they need to prevent or interrupt child abuse. Apply online, email the Body Safety staff or call 703-324-7459. Our next training is August 16, 2024. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Help us reach our goal of 30 new volunteers by then!

Do you or someone you know have children ages 0-4 years old? This FREE weekly parenting class shows parents how to understand child development; create nurturing parenting routines; master infant massage; and develop ways to foster positive self-esteem in themselves and their children. This class, which is offered in Spanish, meets every Monday, from 5:30-8 p.m. at ACCA Child Development Center. Ready to sign up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Check out our online parenting tips and resources including upcoming classes.

In this virtual webinar presentation, hosted by the Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging, Dr. Christiana Bratiotis, an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, will offer guidance to family caregivers on effectively managing and supporting loved ones dealing with hoarding, organizing, and downsizing challenges. Dr. Bratiotis will delve into strategies for families to gain a deeper understanding of these issues and provide practical tools and advice to assist their loved ones in a compassionate and supportive manner. Register to receive an email with access instructions. Learn more about resources for family caregivers.

Sexual Violence Tier One is a 16-hour training on understanding sexual violence, systems responding to sexual violence in Fairfax County, and resources available in our community. This training is for professionals, volunteers, and community members looking to learn how and why sexual violence happens; the impact of sexual violence on individuals, families, and communities; and how to support those impacted. It is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Angie Acosta.

Are you ready to become a more confident and effective parent? Join our free multi-week virtual parenting class starting Sept. 10! This class is designed for parents with children aged 5-11 years old and will cover topics such as increasing empathy, encouraging appropriate behaviors, building positive self-concept and self-esteem, and having fun as a family. The class meets on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact us by email at or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available.

Cultive relaciones sanas con sus hijos. Are you ready to become a more confident and effective parent? Join our free weekly Spanish-language, in-person parenting class starting Sept. 11 at Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield! This class is designed for parents with children aged 5-11 years old and will cover topics such as increasing empathy, encouraging appropriate behaviors, building positive self-concept and self-esteem, and having fun as a family. The class meets every Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn more about the variety of parenting classes available.

Do you have children ages 0-4 years old? This FREE parenting class shows parents how to understand child development; create nurturing parenting routines; master infant massage; and develop ways to foster positive self-esteem in themselves and their children. This class meets every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Ready to sign up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Check out our online parenting tips and resources including upcoming classes.

This video is for foster and adoptive parents who want to learn more about an intimate part of Black culture . . . hair care. Hair in Black communities can be an intense source of pride and beauty. Helping children learn to have confidence in their culture and lineage from an early age is essential no matter your background as a foster or adoptive parent. Check out the video and learn natural haircare basics that will help you and your children have confidence in caring for and wearing natural hair.

The goal of advocacy services is to increase survivor safety by sharing knowledge and understanding of available resources and letting clients know their options. Stay in the know on the many ways advocates support survivors or call the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273 for more information about how the division provides resources to the community.