Welcome to the 2023 September issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families in crisis.
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Adopt-A-Family for the 2023 Holiday Season
Did you know that in 2022 nearly 500 Adopt-A-Family donors provided gifts for 685 families and brought smiles and laughter to 1,537 children? Now it’s time for families, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, and more to sign up with the Department of Family Services to support families in our community who are experiencing difficult times during the 2023 holidays. Learn more.
Volunteer & Partner Services Welcomes Three New Interns Starting Fall 2023
Volunteer & Partner Services is pleased to welcome three new interns to the program for the 2023-2024 school year. Get to know each of these interns, their goals and aspirations for the year and the future.
BeFriend A-Child Mentors and Mentees Enjoy Summer Adventures
Volunteer & Partner Services is thrilled that our BeFriend-A-Child mentors and mentees have had some amazing opportunities for fun and enrichment this summer. Our participants were all smiles during a trip to Kings Dominion and a once-in-a-lifetime front-row concert experience with the one and only Beyoncé. We are so appreciative to our partners, Information Technology Strategies, Tim Barber, Tickets for Kids, and SYTA Youth Foundation who made these events possible. Learn more.
Clifton Preschool Students Learn about Body Safety
Body Safety program staff had an opportunity to teach a class at Clifton Presbyterian Church Preschool, where they model and guide children to show respect and kindness to themselves, their classmates, and their teachers. During the Body Safety classes, we reinforced the ideas that children deserve to be respected and safe on the inside and on the outside. Learn more about this program and the difference it makes in our community.
The Department of Family Services Holds Successful 2023 Backpack and School Supply Drive
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of community donations of backpacks and school supplies this year. We are so appreciative for the support that our donors and partners provided to the children and families we serve. Thanks especially to Fairfax County Democratic Committee, Comfort Cases, His Church Life Acts Community Care, Amyx – A Tetra Tech Company, and Touching Heart. Learn more about how you can help.
Help Youth in Foster Care to Have a Warm Winter
Teens Helping Teens – Please join local teens in Fairfax County with their “hoodie drive” initiative to collect 200 brand new hoodies and sweatshirts for teens within the child welfare system. This is an incredible opportunity to partner with the youth in our own community to give back to the youth involved with Department of Family Services. For more information, please email Volunteer & Partner Services for more information about supporting this initiative.
Fairfax County Foster Care ConGRADulates Our 2023 Graduates
Did you know that nationally, only about half of children in foster care graduate from high school by age 19, and in Fairfax that statistic is only a bit higher at 60%? That’s why each year the Fairfax County Department of Family Services recognizes youth in foster care who earn their GED or graduate from high school, college, or vocational certificate programs. Learn about this year’s celebration and the amazing young people who were honored. Read More.
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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