<i>Send announcements to the Reston Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, send an e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday 5 p.m. for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6476 with questions. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost. </i>
Volunteers are needed for the Reston-Herndon American Association of University Women's (AAUW) tutoring/mentoring program at Forest Edge Elementary School which provides help for academically at-risk young girls. This ongoing activity provides support with friendship, homework help and fun from 3:15-4:15 p.m. each Tuesday that school is in session. Call Fran Lovaas at 703-318-9628 or email flovaas@aol.com. Visit http://seiz2day.com/aauw/tutoring.htm
Volunteer Management Training: "How to Capture Your Audience in 15 Minutes or less …" The Northern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration (NVAVA) presents Volunteer Management training on “How to Capture Your Audience in 15 Minutes! (or less…)" on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 9:30 to noon. Public speaking is part of a volunteer administrator’s tool kit. Laurie Eytel, CVA, Volunteer Services manager, with Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services, has worked in the field of volunteerism for more than 15 years both in the human services and environmental fields. The training will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax in conference rooms 2 & 3. The meeting is open to all who manage volunteers, be it in a nonprofit, for profit and/or faith-based setting. The training is free to members, non-members $10 at the door. All are encouraged to stay for lunch and network in the cafeteria; brown bag lunches welcome. RSVP by Friday, Sept. 13 to susan.stolpe@restoninterfaith.org or 571-323-9569.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers who will be trained to serve as mentors to disadvantaged pregnant women and new mothers. Mentors help clients learn about good health during pregnancy, locate needed information, services and equipment, provide positive reinforcement, model sound parenting skills, and support their clients as they plan for stable futures. The next training session for volunteers is Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad St., Falls Church. A $20 registration fee covers a background check, study materials and lunch. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed.
The Center for Multicultural Human Services is seeking CHAMPS mentors to provide children of prisoners in Northern Virginia with friendship, recreational activities and constructive example. Call Ellen Klene at 703-533-3302, Ext. 107 or e-mail eklene@cmhs.org.
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. Call Lorraine Lottahall at 703-246-4760 or e-mail lorraine.lottahall@fairfaxcounty.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic has issued a release calling to fill a "critical need" for bilingual volunteers who can speak both English and Spanish. The foundation, which serves to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, needs the volunteers for interview and document translation and wish granting. Since 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has fulfilled more than 5,500 wishes for children living in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, Maryland and Delaware.
For more information, call the Make-A-Wish Foundation at 301-962-9474.
Volunteer tutors are needed for day and evening hours to work one-to-one with adult learners in public libraries or adult learning centers. Additional opportunities are available working with adolescents in alternative school settings. The Volunteer Learning Program trains tutors, assesses learners, and provides materials with follow-up support. VLP is a joint community project of the Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education, Fairfax County's Juvenile Court, and the Fairfax County Public Library. Call 703-246-2139 or e-mail VLP@fcps.edu.
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. Auxiliary officers undergo almost as much training as regular police officers, but because they offer their services on a volunteer basis, they provide a considerable savings to county taxpayers while relieving patrol officers to handle assignments that only they can perform. The police department provides uniforms, equipment and insurance. Auxiliary officers must perform an average of 24 hours of volunteer service a month to maintain their status in the unit. 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. Call the auxiliary coordinator at 703-280-0576.
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. Call Cleveland Williams at 703-435-0868 or e-mail sue.boucher@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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. Call Linda Gifford at 703-324-8324 or Linda.Gifford@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDRDC) is seeking volunteer Spanish language interpreters to assist court staff and clients at the Old Courthouse, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax City and at off-site facilities. Training will be provided. Those who qualify as volunteers in this program will serve assignments in various units in the court and provide in-house translations at: JDRDC offices in the courthouse — Domestic Relations, Juvenile Intake, Adult Probation, Family Systems, Special Services, Community Service, Restitution, Formal and Informal Hearings, Records, Clerks and Administration. JDRDC off-site facilities — North County, East County, Center County, Juvenile Detention Center, Less Secure Shelter, Boys Probation House and Girls Probation House.
Fluency is required in both English and Spanish. A commitment to a weekly four-hour shift during business hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) for at least six months is required. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Volunteer applicants will be required to successfully complete a DMV, Child Protective Service and criminal history record check.
For more information about the Volunteer Interpreter Program or to request an application, contact the volunteer coordinator, Loida Gibbs, at 703-246-2856, TTY 703-273-3713, or loida.gibbs@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging's "Meals on Wheels" program is in immediate need of volunteers to deliver meals during the week, Monday - Friday, to senior adults who live in the Reston/Herndon area. The job involves picking up meals at specified sites between 10:30 a.m. - noon, and delivering the meals to seniors by 1 p.m. Drivers can choose to deliver meals on a daily, weekly, monthly or substitute basis. Mileage reimbursement is available. For more information or to volunteer, call 703-324-5406 or E-mail melanie.mitchell@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Reston Museum has a number of opportunities open for volunteers to be on duty in the museum and shop in 2 or 4 hour shifts on a flexible basis - one shift per week, or per month. No special experience is required, and training will be provided. Reston Museum is open from 12-5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday, at 1639 Washington Plaza in Lake Anne Village Center. An opportunity for those interested in learning more about the award-winning planned community of Reston. To volunteer, e-mail Reston Museum Volunteer Coordinator, Shelley Mastran, at shellmast@comcast.net, or leave a message at Reston Museum, 703-709-7700.