Volunteer
Opportunities
High-school exchange students from Spain, Mexico, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and one of the former Soviet Union countries are awaiting word on their host families for the 2002-03 academic school year. Some students from Germany need homes for the fall semester 2002. Host families provide room, board and guidance for a teen-ager living thousands of miles from home. Students are well-screened and are selected based on academic performance, English proficiency, teacher recommendations and personal interviews. Couples, single parents and families with no children are all encouraged to apply.
The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins in the fall. Each World Heritage student is fully insured, brings his own personal spending money and expects to bear his share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles. At the same time, the students will be teaching their newly adopted host families about their own culture and language.
Families may select the student of their choice from student applications, photo collages and biographical essays. Once paired, students and families are encouraged to begin corresponding before the student’s arrival. For more information on hosting an exchange student, call Wyndy Fredrick at 703-435-8948 or Becky Watson at 800-785-9040.
The EurAupair program is currently seeking community volunteers who can help provide guidance for au pair exchange visitors as they adjust to their new language, family, community and country; help to instill an appreciation for the United States and its people; and work to cultivate tolerance and understanding on a people-to-people level.
Contact EurAupair area coordinator Kirsten Dabelko at 301-513-9215 or 800-618-2002 for a Community Counselor Volunteer Application Packet or more information about the nonprofit EurAupair program.
The Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area (HACA), whose mission is to serve people affected by bleeding disorders, is seeking volunteers who are interested in serving on its board of directors. In support of HACA’s mission and goals, volunteers would work on fund-raising, public relations, education, member services or general organization issues. For more information, contact Sandi Qualley, HACA’s executive director, at 703-352-7641.
Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts uses the talents of over 1,000 volunteers during its concert season, which runs mid-May through mid-September. Volunteers are trained to provide assistance in a variety of ways to Wolf Trap’s patrons. The following volunteer positions are available: Filene Center usher, nature walk guide, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods volunteer, patron service volunteer, parking crew volunteer, EMT-B volunteers. All positions require a one-night-per-week commitment. Volunteers must be 18 or older (with the exception of the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods volunteers). For more information, call the Volunteer Office at 703-255-1893.
Heartland Hospice serves terminally ill patients in the Northern Virginia area. It is looking for volunteers to assist patients and caregivers. No experience is required. Training will be provided. Those interested should call the volunteer coordinator at 703-273-8693.
Colvin Run Mill Historic Site in Great Falls needs volunteers on weekends to lead small groups on tours. Experience is not necessary, just an interest in history and the ability to communicate well with children and adults. All training is provided.
After the completion of training, the preferred time commitment is one 5-hour shift a month.
The Park Authority’s Colvin Run Mill is home to Fairfax County’s only operational water-powered gristmill and includes a miller’s house, general store, blacksmith shop and a reconstructed barn. For more information, call the resource management volunteer program coordinator at 703-324-8750 or call the public information office at 703-324-8662. For more volunteer opportunities, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.