(Posted 2023 July)
Volunteer & Partner Services is excited to partner with Tickets For Kids to provide once in a lifetime opportunities to children involved with our Children, Youth, and Families Division of the Department of Family Services.
Each of these vulnerable children has been identified as being at risk. Many are mentees in our BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program which matches each child with a supportive adult and provides group outings to widen the children’s scope of experiences.
VPS’s partnership with Tickets for Kids began in February 2023 and so far, 12 children have attended 11 events with their mentors. In addition, Tickets for Kids has donated 25 tickets for our annual BeFriend King’s Dominion trip happening this July. Altogether, the total donated ticket value is nearly $3,000.
Tickets for Kids’ mission is providing at-risk children with experiences that inspire hope, dreams, and achievements for a lifetime. Their vision is for a world where our most vulnerable children feel included, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Here are a few of the events that our BeFriend-A-Child Mentor mentors and mentees attended.
Blippi Live
“This concert in March was a perfect fit for my excited 8-year-old mentee,” said her mentor, Sheri Holder. Children’s entertainer, Blippi, is known for inspiring curiosity, making learning fun and experiential, while encouraging kids to explore the real world around them. His show Blippi Live featured loads of singing, dancing, and lights. The kids in the audience were encouraged to join in the fun and sing and dance along, and many of them were on their feet having a great time. Some were even dressed in “Blippi” attire. “My mentee wasn’t feeling her best, but she got into the show by bopping around in her seat and singing along,” Holder said. “I could tell she was happy!”
Shout Sister Shout! At Ford’s Theatre
Following a trip by Metro (rail) into the city, two of our mentor and mentee pairs attended this musical production that tells the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe—one of America’s most influential rock, R&B and gospel crossover singers and guitarists in the 1930s and 40s and beyond. One mentor, Marie, reported that this was a “very good experience,” that they combined with a visit to the President Lincoln exhibits in the Ford’s Theatre Museum. Marie, who was grateful for the opportunity, said that “the musical performance and story were superb, and the entire experience including the Metro ride was interesting for the 9-year-old girls."
Washington Commanders’ Practice
What 12-year-old boy doesn’t fantasize about the opportunity to see a professional football team practicing? Mentor, Ellen, explained that her mentee, had a great experience. It made him really enjoy and appreciate football and now he really wants to go see a live game in person! The entire team was incredibly kind and friendly with him. He did really well during the day – and was even able to overcome some of his anxiety about being around crowds to be able to enjoy some time with the players away from the throngs of people.
Washington Nationals’ Baseball Game
Tim and his 11-year-old mentee had a great time going to the Nationals vs. Phillies game. The mentee hasn't had much experience with baseball, but he was very curious, so Tim explained the rules to him throughout the game. Initially, Tim was concerned his mentee might get bored before the end of the game and ask to leave early. On the contrary, he got into it so much that he didn't want to miss a minute of the game, not even to get food in between innings. Afterward the mentee was so excited that he said he wants to start playing baseball. As a bonus, the pair rode the Metro to the game, which he hasn't done too often, and he was very excited about that too.
Tickets for Kids provides free access for low-income and at-risk kids to attend the arts, cultural, educational, and athletic venues of their community. Through partnerships with youth-serving organizations across the U.S., they strive to make trips to museums, concerts, ballgames, science centers, zoos, and more part of every childhood. Through access, they provide experiences that can spark an interest, ignite a passion, and shape a future without limits.
This article posting is part of The Volunteer Post Newsletter for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis. Learn more about Fairfax County Department of Family Services' Volunteer & Partner Services Program (VPS).