Fairfax County is seeking community volunteers to participate on a Selection Advisory Committee that will review and evaluate proposals and make recommendations on how to distribute funds to community partners that support Fairfax County residents. The funds are issued through the Consolidated Community Funding Pool, a competitive countywide grant program, and will go to programs that fill critical human services needs among the most vulnerable populations. To be eligible for the Selection Advisory Committee, you must be a Fairfax County resident and at least 21 years of age. You are not eligible if you are a current Fairfax County Government employee, board member/officer, or an employee of any organization planning to apply for CCFP funding. Volunteers must be able to commit 2.5 hours per week from January-March 2022. Extensive pre-service orientation will be provided, and this volunteer opportunity can be done entirely virtually if requested. If you’re interested in making a difference in your community, visit the Consolidated Community Funding Pool information page or contact Michelle.Brizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information and apply by August 31, 2021.

Neighborhood and Community Services is proud to announce that Little River Glen Senior Center in Fairfax has completed SAGECare’s LGBT cultural competency training program and has earned the SAGECare Platinum credential. SAGE, which stands for Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, assists senior care agencies in creating fully LGBT-inclusive services for the growing LGBT senior population, which will number 7 million by 2030. “This is a meaningful way to celebrate June Pride Month,” said Lloyd Tucker, Director of Neighborhood and Community Services. “The SAGE Platinum accreditation gives confidence to our older adult LGBT community that our senior centers are a welcoming environment for all. As a result of this accreditation, we are ensuring that we continuously apply principles and practices to meet the needs and concerns of LGBT older adults.” Since launching in 2016, more than 300 agencies have earned SAGECare’s respected credentials. The Platinum credential is given when 80 percent of employees have completed 1 hour of LGBT Aging Training and 80 percent of executives/administrators have completed 4 hours of training. Little River Glen Senior Center began SAGECare training in March 2020 with a four-hour course for about 30 employees. Participants heard stories of real LGBT older adults, learned how to make an environment safe and welcoming for them, and learned how to identify and address bias. Over the next year, NCS aims to achieve the SAGECare credential for all Fairfax County Senior Centers.