Volunteer Fairfax will sponsor a week-long leadership institute for students who display leadership qualities to be held on Monday, Jun. 2-Saturday, Jun. 26. The Prudential Youth Leadership Institute teaches youth a broad array of leadership skills that can be applied to any life experience through both classroom instruction and experiential training. The institute will specifically train young leaders to identify their community's needs and seek ways to solve these problems. During the institute, participants will plan their own community service project and implement it as a group. The institute includes five days of activities for youth, including team building, project leadership, decision-making, diversity training and other dynamic leadership activities. Students will participate in field trips around the local community and plan and implement a service project to take place on the final day, Saturday, Jun. 26. The Institute is free; qualified students simply need to apply. Students entering grades 10-12 who would benefit from the institute and take the vital skills they gain back to their respective communities are encouraged to apply. The next PYLI will be held on Monday, June 21- Saturday, Jun. 26. For more information or to receive an application, contact Jessica Segal at Volunteer Fairfax at 703-246-3460, or email jsegal@volunteerfairfax.org.
Volunteers are needed to serve on The Reston Multicultural Festival's Planning Committee. The Reston Multicultural Festival is a one-day extravaganza of music, dance, art, crafts and food to celebrate the cultural diversity of Reston. The festival, which is held every September, attracts thousands of people to Lake Anne Village Center. This year's festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Lake Anne Village Center. Planning Committee members plan and implement the entire festival. There are volunteer opportunities for every aspect of the festival including opening and closing ceremonies, entertainment, art displays, craft and food sales and demonstrations and publicity. For further information, contact Anna Dowdell, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Reston Community Center at 703-648-2857.
Leadership Fairfax, Inc. (LFI), is seeking candidates for its two outstanding leadership programs – the Leadership Fairfax Signature Program and Emerging Leaders Institute. To find out more about LFI, call 703-749-0409 ext. 338 or email info@leadershipfairfax.org. LFI will accept applications beginning in March 2004. The application deadline for the Leadership Fairfax Signature Program is Jun. 1. The application deadline for Emerging Leaders Institute is Jul. 15. The programs are open to individuals who reside or work in Fairfax County. Participants are selected each year from the business, government, education, and not-for-profit sectors of Fairfax County.
Fairfax County General Court Services is seeking volunteers and interns to assist in the Fairfax County General District Court performing administrative tasks. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass a criminal background investigation. To request an application, call Lorraine Lottahall, volunteer/intern coordinator, for an application at 703-246-4760 or e-mail lorraine.lottahall@fairfaxcounty.
Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) is calling for volunteers for the 13th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, May 22-23 at Reston Town Center. For more information, contact GRACE at 703-471-9242 or, e-mail info@restonarts.org or, visit the GRACE gallery at 11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 110, in Reston Town Center. GRACE has volunteer opportunities available, such as Artist Relations; Children’s Art Zone; Hospitality Tables; Logistics; Merchandise; Publicity; Set-up/Take-down, Signage; Survey; Beer/Wine Sales and more. Volunteer opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, race and ability. These opportunities are also extended to businesses interested in coordinating a volunteer program to feature their company and employees in the community. For additional festival information, contact GRACE at 703-471-9242 or visit the GRACE web site, www.restonarts.org.
The Town of Herndon is seeking applications for citizen volunteers who are willing to serve on the Heritage Preservation Review Board as an architectural historian. The requirements are that the individual needs to be an architect or an architectural historian, meeting appropriate qualifications that qualify the individual as an expert in the area of historic preservation. It is not necessary to be a resident of Herndon. There is one meeting per month plus work sessions. Members receive $100 per month and a full term is three years. Contact the Town Clerk's office at 703-435-6804 or email viki.wellershaus@town.herndon.va.us.
The Fairfax County Public Library seeks volunteers to assist staff in its Public Information Office a minimum of two hours per week. Candidates must read English well, be detail-oriented and able to work at the Fairfax County Government Center near Fair Oaks mall in Fairfax. Familiarity with local newspapers a plus. Interested applicants should contact Linda Gifford at 703-324-8324 or Linda.Gifford@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Volunteer opportunities currently exist for Information Desk Volunteers and Mobile Guides at Washington Dulles International Airport. A Travelers Aid Volunteer must have a "friendly, helpful manner and enjoy interacting with people from all over the world." Volunteers are asked to make a commitment to work one 3-4 hour shift per week. Early morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available seven days a week. There is a great need for volunteers who can work early morning, evening or weekend shifts. Experience in airline/airport operations, customer service work or knowledge of a foreign language are a plus but not necessary. Travelers Aid provides training, themed attire and courtesy parking. Training is ongoing. For more information regarding the program and upcoming training opportunities, contact 703-572-7350 or email Volunteer@mwaa.com.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers for nursing homes or assisted living facilities in their communities and weekly visits. Listening, observing and mediating, the ombudsman works with the residents, their families and the facility staff to ensure that resident's rights are protected and they are being adequately helped. Applicants must successfully complete training and must be available to volunteer four hours per week during regular business hours. Anyone interested who is not employed by a long-term care facility and can commit one year to working as an Ombudsman can call 703-324-5435. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is recruiting volunteers to train for marathons and races to honor local cancer patients. For more information call 703-960-1100 or visit www.teamintraining.org.
Inova VNA Home Health needs volunteers to visit homebound patients. Volunteers spend one to two hours a week talking to the patients, running errands and doing odd jobs. Visits are made during the day, evening or on weekends. Training is provided. Call 703-642-9041.
The Northern Virginia Family Service is looking for foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided for both full-time and short-term programs. For more information, call 703-533-9727 or visit smcallister@nvfs.org.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers to serve as mentors for high risk pregnant women. The women are referred from the Fairfax Hospital, Health Department, Human Services and private physicians. Volunteers give about one hour per week, determine by the client's needs and volunteer's availability. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Call 703-860-2633 or visit www.naomiproject.homestead.com.
The Advisory Board of the Northwest Center for Mental Health in Fairfax County is looking for volunteers. The non-profit board meets monthly on first Wednesday evenings. Applications are accepted on a continuing basis. For more information, call Cleveland Williams at 703-435-0868 or email sue.boucher@fairfaxcounty.gov.