Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) seeks area residents to become a foster care provider to neglected children with special needs. NVFS provides intensive training, certification and continuing education; careful child/parent matching; ongoing assistance and 24-hour support from professional social workers; financial reimbursement; help locating support services for your special foster/respite child; foster/respite parent support groups; and family activities. Call Ginny at 703-219-2184 for more information.
The Center for Multicultural Human Services is now accepting volunteer applications for the following opportunities. For more, contact Ellen Klene at 703-533-3302 or e-mail eklene@cmhs.org.
* School-based Children’s Enrichment Program. This opportunity involves activities with multicultural groups of children at Timberlane Elementary School and Pine Spring Elementary School including reading, homework help and socialization activities. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, 6:30-8 p.m.
* School-based ESL Program for Immigrants. This opportunity involves teaching English to multicultural groups of parents whose children attend Timberlane Elementary School and Pine Spring Elementary School in Falls Church. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Level. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, 6:30-8 p.m. Teaching materials and orientation are provided.
Alternative House, which provides a range of support services for local area abused and neglected children and teenagers, will hold a donation drive from Oct. 15-Nov. 15. Alternative House is most in need of personal grooming and hygiene products, baby care items, and household cleaning products. The donation drop-off site is at Evolution Health & Fitness, 216 Dominion Road N.E., Vienna (near the red caboose). People can drop off their donations there Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays from 8a.m.-4 p.m.
The Vienna Theatre Company needs a diverse array of volunteers for its 2005-06 season, including, but not limited to, backstage workers, carpenters and seamstresses. Call 703-978-7818 or e-mail vtcshows@yahoo.com
Historic Vienna Inc. needs someone with videography skills to help make a video record of interviews with local Vienna citizens with rich and long memories. Contact HVI board member Christopher Vereide at 703-938-5187 or hviadmin@ci.vienna.va.us.
Project SUCCESS is seeking donations for items to put into transition bags for children who are moving from home into the foster care system without notice. The transition bags are canvas bags filled with items for girls and boys ages newborn to 18. All donated items must be new. Items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, school supplies, paperback books, key chains, pajamas, underwear and socks, small stuffed animals and toiletries will help make the transition easier for all. These bags are filled and given to the Fairfax County Family Services Adoption and Foster Care programs. Individuals who would like to make donations or have collected items for this effort should call Mary Wolf at 703-425-6240. TTY 703-222-9693.
Adult volunteers are needed at Heatherwood Retirement Community in Burke for evening and weekend outings with residents. Commitment of one to two hours per month is requested. Call Karen at 703-425-1698.
Fairfax County Police are seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming Auxiliary Police Officers. APOs are trained to perform a variety of operational support and administrative duties, which include patrol, traffic control, security of prisoners, communications, desk assignments, fingerprinting, crime prevention and special events. To be considered, applicants must live in Northern Virginia and be at least 21 years of age. Applicants must be in good health and without a criminal record or history of drug use, and not be an applicant for police officer in any jurisdiction. To apply, obtain a brochure or additional information about the Fairfax County Auxiliary Police Unit, call 703-280-0576.
Volunteer English instructors are needed to teach Adult English as a Second Language with Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities. Training provided, no second language required. Classes meet evenings and weekends and begin in September throughout Northern Virginia. Call 703-534-9805, Ext. 222 or visit www.ccda.net/hogar_hispano.html.
Regular, weekly volunteers are needed at United Community Ministries' Back Porch Thrift Store, especially Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact: Cecelia Vergaretti, Volunteer Program Manager, 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
HCV is seeking adults to work one-on-one with sixth through eighth grade Hispanic students throughout the school year. Mentors help students with school work and offer friendship and advice. Volunteer with "Alianza Escolar" and help change a child's life. Contact Margarita Kay at 703-671-5666, Ext. 136, or e-mail Education_hcv@yahoo.com.
Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Program is seeking homes for children in need. In addition to free training, foster parents may receive monthly financial assistance for the expenses of the child in their care. Call 703-324-7639 to help.
The Volunteer Learning Program is looking for volunteer tutors to work one-on-one with adult learners who are working on the GED, high school diploma, or attempting to improve reading, writing or math skills. Tutors are needed for both day and evening tutoring one-on-one if the public libraries or in small classroom settings. Fairfax County Public Schools, the Fairfax County Juvenile Court and the Fairfax County Public Library System sponsor the Volunteer Learning Program. Call 703-246-2139 or e-mail VLP@fcps.edu.
Volunteer Language Interpreters are needed for the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to assist court staff and clients. Duties include facilitating communication between clients and court staff, translating court documents, interpreting at some court hearings and helping clients review their court orders. Fluency is required in both English and another language. A commitment to one weekly four-hour shift during business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for at least six months is needed. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. For more information and an application, contact Gwen Robinson, volunteer services coordinator, at 703-246-2697, TTY 703-273-3713, or send e-mail to gwen.robinson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia needs volunteers for a one-to-one basic literacy tutoring program designed to work with adults reading below the fifth grade level. No teaching or foreign language skills are required. There is a $35 training fee to cover books and supplies. Call 703-575-7900 or visit www.lcnv.org.
Odyssey Healthcare, a hospice provider, seeks volunteers in the Northern Virginia community to visit and/or assist terminally ill patients and their families during their end of life journey. Opportunities open to those who have compassion, desire to help one to two hours a week, share with a patient or their family, assist with office support or help with bereavement care. Training is provided. Call Karen Baroody at 703-821-9200 or e-mail kabaroody@odsyhealth.com.
Volunteers for Change offers a flexible calendar of weekend and weekday evening projects for adults. A one-time orientation at Volunteer Fairfax's office in central Fairfax is required. To register for the next orientation, contact Emily Swenson at 703-246-3460 or e-mail eswenson@volunteerfairfax.org. Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
Volunteer Fairfax has been mobilizing people and resources to meet regional community needs in Fairfax since 1975. To learn about volunteer opportunities in the area, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org or call 703-246-3460.
Childhelp USA Children’s Center of Virginia is recruiting and training sensitive volunteers during the month of September for the various positions at our advocacy center in Fairfax. People are needed for playroom volunteer, volunteer mentors and children’s activities leaders. All positions provide help to children affected by child abuse. Senior citizens are welcomed. Contact Cheryl Ray at 703-208-1549, or e-mail Cray@Childhelpusa.org.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) accepts applications for potential volunteers to assist individuals through the court system. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Call 703-273-3526. Visit www.casafairfax.org.
CHAMPS seeks mentors, volunteers who provide children of prisoners in Northern Virginia with friendship, recreational activities and constructive example. Contact Ellen Klene at 703-533-3302 ext. 107 or eklene@cmhs.org.
Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), which provides free food, clothing, household items and financial assistance to needy persons in Burke and Springfield, wants to expand its hours of operation to better serve its clients' needs. Adult volunteers who can work from noon to 3 p.m. are needed to sort donations. ECHO also needs adult volunteers to work during regular morning hours, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 703-569-9160 during regular morning hours and ask for Pat.
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. Contact Sandi Qualley, HACA's executive director, at 703-352-7641.
The Nurturing Parenting Program, offered by Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services with volunteer support from local community organizations, businesses and faith-based groups, provides parenting classes to promote the strengthening of families and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The program is currently seeking additional community support to continue and expand these classes throughout the county. Community volunteers support the program by preparing dinners for participating families, helping with child care or assisting with facilitation of groups. Call 703-324-7745, (TTY: 703-222-9452) or by e-mail at kslone@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/dfs/factsheets/NurturingParenting.htm.
Heartland Hospice in Fairfax is looking for caring and dedicated people with an interest in serving the terminally ill hospice patients and their families. Volunteers offer companionship to patients through friendly visits while others assist with clerical services in the Fairfax office. Training is provided. Contact the volunteer coordinator at 703-273-8693.
The Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry is looking for individuals or groups that are interested in providing child care for children whose parents are attending necessary medical or social service appointments. One to three volunteers are needed to provide care and play with groups of one to six children ranging in age from newborn to 5 years old. The program takes place in Fairfax, on Lee Highway and Gallows Road. The play group meets on Mondays, 12:30-3 p.m., and Wednesdays, 12-2:30 p.m. A flexible schedule is available, training is provided and an agency funded background check is required. For more information on this and other volunteer opportunities with NOVAM, contact Briana Jordan at 703-746-0440, Ext. 15.
Inova VNA Home Health is recruiting volunteers to act as Friendly Visitors and Office Volunteers. Placements based on geographic location. Training will be provided. Call 703-916-2885.
Volunteer Emergency Families For Children (VEFC) is looking for people willing to help children in crisis. VEFC trains and supports volunteers who open their homes and provide short-term emergency shelter to local children that have been victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment. E-mail MMiller@VEFC.org.
The Fairfax County Health Department, as part of the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps, launches a volunteer recruitment campaign as part of National Preparedness Month. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are needed to support public health response activities during times of emergency. Visit www.vamrc.org.
Our Neighbors Child provides toys and clothing for families in the area who are having a difficult time. Fairfax County determines the families who have the greatest need and then local volunteers work together to meet those needs. The organization is in its 12th year and once again is looking for groups or individuals that would "adopt" the clothing needs of local families for the holiday season. Contact Tracy McInturff at GMFamily1@aol.com or 703-222-6669 or Holly Cameron at hollycamer@msn.com.
A volunteer receptionist is needed to work with the chief deputy clerk of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Primary duties include answering phones and directing the public to the appropriate departments, sorting mail by court date, some data entry and working with the judges in chambers. A minimum commitment of two four-hour shifts per week between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., for six months is needed. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. Contact Gwen Robinson at 703-246-2697, TTY 711 or e-mail: gwen.robinson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The ESL and Immigrant Ministries needs volunteers to teach English as a second language to adult immigrants in 18 locations in Northern Virginia. Free training for volunteers is provided in August and September. Classes begin in September. Both daytime and evening classes are offered. Visit www.eslim.org or call 703-271-8341 ext. 3.
The Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court seeks volunteers to interview defendants and assist in processing paperwork to determine eligibility for court-appointed attorneys. Volunteers are needed to work one shift per week between 1 p.m.-4 p.m., for at least six months. Training is provided by the court clerk’s office. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and background checks are required. Contact Gwen Robinson at 703-246-2697, TTY 711 or e-mail: gwen.robinson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
African-American volunteer mentors are needed for the BeFriend-A-Child program, through Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Male and female mentors of any race or culture are welcome. Mentors give several hours every other week, one-on-one, to children in recreational or educational activities. Call Chuck Berlin at 703-324-7874 or e-mail cberli@co.fairfax.va.us or Ann Rieger at 703-324-7072, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services, Fairfax County Department of Family Services.
Fairfax County’s Meals on Wheels program needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals. Both regular and substitute drivers are needed. Call the Meals on Wheels Volunteer Intake Hotline at 703-324-5406.
FACETS has a wide range of volunteer opportunities available for fall and winter 2005. Opportunities range from driving to office work to translation. E-mail volunteer@facetscares.org or sdattilo@facetscares.org, or call 703-352-3268.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court seeks volunteers to assist crime victims of juvenile offenders. Volunteers will notify victims of future hearings, inform victims of their legal rights and provide emotional support. A minimum commitment of a one, four-hour shift a week, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. as well as a consistent work week for six months is required. All volunteers must undergo a criminal background check by law. Call 703-246-2697 or e-mail: gwen.robinson@fairfaxcounty.gov.