(Posted 2026 July)
Faith, Community, and Support
Faith Communities in Action, a network of faith communities, houses of worship, community-based organizations, and Fairfax County Government agencies working together to strengthen human service support across the county, was founded in 1997 under then-Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova. Recently, Volunteer Voices sat down with Lyndzey Elliott, the network’s interfaith coordinator, about the work FCIA does and how their mission dovetails nicely with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
Volunteer Voices: What does FCIA do? What’s its mission?
Lyndzey Elliott: It’s a group comprised of houses of worship, faith-based organizations, county departments, nonprofit partners, and we come together to support the residents of Fairfax County. We have conversations around how we can support our unsheltered neighbors, those experiencing food insecurity, those facing mental health challenges and access to health care, and those that need safety and security. This group comes together to build our knowledge around these issues, and we figure out ways we can help.
We also host an annual interfaith resiliency conference in partnership with the Department of Emergency Management and Security and other public safety partners that provides opportunities to build resiliency across congregations and communities and discuss practical tools to strengthen safety, security, and emergency preparedness.
That’s a lot. That makes a “typical” day look…
I could be anywhere in the county on a given day! I’m usually joining some type of community or county meeting where we’re strategizing and talking about an initiative we’re working on or challenges being presented in county. I’m meeting with a new house of worship or a new county partner. The county has over 400 houses of worship, so I could be meeting with a representative from a new house of worship or touring their facility. It looks like supporting the community at large, whether it’s needing to connect with a nonprofit or helping a community member find health services.
It’s a lot of relationship building.
Where does your partnership with DSVS live on this spectrum?
Safety and security is huge for houses of worship, especially as we see different faith communities targeted. We do a lot of partnership with our public safety agencies to help spread awareness of ways houses of worship can fortify their spaces and provide knowledge to their congregations about how they can be vigilant for acts of violence. How they prepare the inside space of their congregations for safety. Ways we can work with our safety officials to create a safer community.
Within the realm of safety and security, we realize they can look different in different houses or worship. Women and children are often displaced due to violence. Houses of worship are often first responders to helping women have a safe space and physical comfort. They also provide more than just safety. Food pantries, resources, clothing—our houses of worship typically have those resources, or they are connected to someone who does. Houses of worship are very familiar with these intersections.
We have a long history of partnering DSVS on these intersections, and I’m always looking forward to strengthening that connection.
What else should we know about FCIA?
We have Common Ground, a bi-monthly newsletter [that helps everyone in the network stay connected]. That includes DSVS’ trainings and any community events or happenings. We can use this space to send out calls for volunteers since our houses of worship are always looking for ways to engage the community. I’ve gotten great feedback saying they’ve been able to connect with agencies they didn’t even know existed! It’s a great way to introduce people to volunteering opportunities.
FCIA meets during the months the newsletter isn’t distributed. During these meetings, we resource share, build community, and see how our initiatives can better support the community.
Recently, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated a Day to End Hate in the county. We accepted that proclamation, which stated that regardless of faith tradition or religious background--or even if you’re not religious at all—we belong together and work together.
Learn more about FCIA or send an email.
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).