We offer many volunteer opportunities for residents through various government agencies and nonprofits. One county program focused on mobilizing volunteers is Volunteer Solutions, run by Department of Family Services.
Emily Swenson, head of Volunteer Solutions, was featured on a recent “County Conversation” podcast highlighting the importance of volunteers and volunteering, the Volunteer Solutions program and the upcoming Venture into Volunteering Fair.
ABOUT VOLUNTEER SOLUTIONS
Volunteer Solutions specifically works to connect volunteers with older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers in Fairfax County.
Some key volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Solutions include:
- Transportation - Driving older adults or people with disabilities to medical appointments, grocery stores and errands. Volunteers must pass background checks and meet certain criteria.
- Friendly visiting - Providing companionship and socialization for homebound seniors and people with disabilities. This can be done in-person or virtually.
- IT on Call - Helping older adults with technology needs, from setting up a TV to learning how to use smartphones and computers. Volunteers don't need professional IT experience.
- Grocery shopping - Assisting clients by doing their grocery shopping for them.
- Pet therapy - Delivering companion pets (animatronic cats and dogs) to provide comfort and decrease isolation.
All Volunteer Solutions opportunities are free for those receiving services. Volunteers go through an orientation and any necessary training.
“We're really helping to find ways volunteers can support those individuals through providing transportation, going and buying groceries, doing friendly visiting, providing that social socialization that some people may not be able to have when they are homebound.”
Learn more or call 703-324-5406.
VENTURE INTO VOLUNTEERING FAIR
Join us on Sunday, Oct. 15, for the Venture Into Volunteering Fair at the Springfield Town Center mall from noon to 4 p.m.
The event, which started in 2007, will feature more than 35 nonprofit and government agencies highlighting a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in areas like working with children, emergency response, health services, arts and more.
County residents can learn about ways they can give back through volunteering. Current volunteers can also connect with new organizations.
The fair will coincide with the Beacon 50+ Expo happening upstairs in the mall, a large event for older adults with info on topics like housing, travel, fitness, and so on.
Learn more and view a full list of participating organizations.
“Volunteering provides an opportunity to support the community while also gaining connections and perspective.”
If you're considering volunteering, take that step forward and join the upcoming Venture Into Volunteering Fair to explore various opportunities and find a cause that resonates with you. Together, we can build a brighter future for Fairfax County.
THE COUNTY CONVERSATION PODCAST
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Click here to listen to past episodes of "County Conversation.” To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
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