Welcome to the 2026 July issue of The Volunteer Post Newsletter, for current and potential volunteers, sponsors and donors interested in supporting children and families.
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Donate to Adopt-A-Student Backpack & School Supply Drive through August 7
Volunteer and Partner Services is excited to once again partner with Roonga, this time for our annual School Supply and Backpack Drive! From July 1 through August 7, 2026, you are invited to Adopt-A-Student and help them start the school year prepared and confident. Learn more.
BeFriend Mentors, Mentees, and Families Gather for a Day of Fun and Connection
The BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program’s Spring Gathering is one of the program’s most anticipated events. There were exciting activities, delicious food, and heartfelt moments that strengthened the bonds between family and friends, mentors and mentees! Learn more!
Volunteer Spotlight: the Couple that Vows to Give Back
Check out this profile of a wonderful couple volunteering with DFS programs! Husband and wife, Peter and Caroline Steinberg both began volunteering with us in 2025. Peter is a mentor with the Befriend program and Caroline is a classroom facilitator with the Body Safety Education Program. They both have made an impact through contributing over 100 combined volunteer hours, while bringing warmth, compassion, and flexibility to their roles working with children. Learn more about their motivations and their volunteer journey.
Body Safety Program – Volunteers Needed for 2026–2027 School Year
The Department of Family Services’ Body Safety Program is recruiting volunteer facilitators to help prevent and interrupt child abuse in our community. It’s easy to get started—and you can make a significant impact in just a few hours each week. If you can speak Spanish, we especially can use your help. Check it out.
Help Support Our Graduates in Foster Care!
Youth in foster care face many invisible educational obstacles such as changing schools often, having fewer stable and supportive relationships, and experiencing mental health challenges at higher rates than their peers. That’s why we are proud of the 17 youth in Fairfax County foster care who have persevered to graduate from high school, professional certification programs, college and beyond this year. We will hold a celebration of their accomplishments later this summer. Join us in supporting their amazing accomplishments by donating items on their personal wish lists to help them as they move forward in life. Thank you for your support!
Employee Field & Fitness Day Features Service Project
During the Fairfax County Employee Field and Fitness Day, Volunteer and Partner Services partnered with Fairfax County’s LiveWell wellbeing program to provide a service project that would allow county staff to make an impact in our community! County employees stuffed 1,000 “superhero” self-care bags for children involved in child welfare programs with the Department of Family Services’ Children, Youth, and Families Division. These self-care bags include a blanket, flashlight, hygiene kit, book, fidget toy, and drawing tablet. Thank you to all the folks who took part in this activity! Your support will help a child to know that there are people in the community who are pulling for them. Check out the Facebook reel of the event.
BeFriend-A-Child Mentor Orientation July 11 – Apply Now
If you have some weekend availability and love children, apply to BeFriend-A-Child! Mentoring plays a vital role in children’s growth and development. From building self-esteem to promoting educational success, the influence of a caring adult can be transformative. Our next new-mentor training will take place virtually on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about the program or apply online.
Fatherhood Awareness Month Culminates with Board Proclamation
Thank you to all the county and community partners for a wonderful Fatherhood Awareness Month in June! This year, our Father Engagement Program partnered with several neighboring jurisdictions and the Virginia Department of Social Services to spread the word about the importance of fathers and father figures in their children’s lives. Weekly webinars and in person events celebrated and uplifted dads and the professionals who work with them. The highlight of the month was the proclamation of Fatherhood Awareness Month by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County.
This year the program took the proclamation out of the Boardroom and into the community as part of the Juneteenth celebration at the Gum Springs Community Day: Honoring the Life of Mattie L. Palmore. Board Chairman Jeff McKay presented the Fatherhood Awareness Month proclamation to Jerome Mincey, a recent graduate of the Dads Parenting Groups. The proclamation encourages local organizations, schools and community groups to host activities and programs that promote father engagement, awareness, and resources available to help fathers strengthen family bonds. You can watch the video here.
Volunteers, partners and sponsors, who support these fatherhood programs, make it possible for us to transform lives all year round. Thank you!