Support Backpack Program
The not for profit Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is seeking donations from the community of new backpacks for students in need who attend schools in the Fairfax County area as part of its Collect for Kids Back to School Program.
For the fifth year, WFCM is collaborating with Fairfax County, Fairfax County Public Schools and a variety of local non-profit organizations to provide high quality school backpacks through a partnership with the county’s Collect for Kids program.
WFCM’s goal is to provide backpacks for 2,300 qualified low income children who attend schools in the Centreville High School, Chantilly High School and Westfield High School pyramids. In 2014, WFCM assisted 2,019 children in those schools. Due to continued demand, WFCM is looking to increase its program capacity this year in hopes of assisting every child who needs a backpack in western Fairfax. The most needed backpack size is a large one with at least two compartments to hold multiple books and binders for middle and high school students. Backpacks should be of good quality, approximately $15-30 in cost.
Community members interested in helping support WFCM’s backpack program, may donated a new, large backpack, but no character backpacks, backpacks with wheels, or only one shoulder strap. The greatest need is for large backpacks for older students; more than 1,000 large backpacks are needed for students in middle and high schools (dimensions 18-19 inch high x 13in wide x 8-10 inch deep, with two main compartments). Donated backpacks may be brought to WFCM’s Client Services Office and Food Pantry (13888 Metrotech Drive, Chantilly, next to Papa John’s Pizza) until Friday, Aug. 14, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. See www.WFCMVA.org.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Aug. 13, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
Because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
CLRC Seeks Fall Interns
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) is currently seeking bi-lingual (English/Spanish) fall interns to help with the daily operations of the worker center, its new labor-justice projects and with producing a worker-created community newsletter. Contact CLRC Director Molly Maddra-Santiago at director@centrevillelrc.org for more details.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry needs donations of 1-2 pound bags of rice, canned fruit (all types), canned pastas, canned meats (tuna, ham, chicken), cold and hot cereals, spaghetti and sauces, peanut butter, canned vegetables (including spinach, collar greens, beets) and cooking oil.
Toiletries needed, which WFCM clients cannot purchase with food stamps, include facial tissues, toothpaste, shampoo and solid deodorant.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry, weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Center. A volunteer stocker/bagger is needed Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m. Contact Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656, ext. 110, or abosley@wfcmva.org.
Learn about Police Department
Throughout the year, the Fairfax County Police Department will host a series of lectures as part of its 75th anniversary.
- Sept. 16 – Helicopter Division, 10 a.m. at the Criminal Justice Academy https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fcpd-helicopter-division-tickets-15374129435
- Oct. 2 – Early days of Diversity, 11 a.m. at the Massey Building A Level conference room https://www.eventbrite.com/e/early-days-of-diversity-tickets-15374156516
- Nov. 4 – Criminal Justice Academy, 11 a.m. at the Criminal Justice Academy https://www.eventbrite.com/e/criminal-justice-academy-tickets-15374248792
- Dec. 14 – Crisis Negotiations Team, 11 a.m. at the Criminal Justice Academy https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fcpd-crisis-negotiations-team-tickets-15374274870
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.
Long-Term Care Advocates
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living and nursing facilities. Training is provided in March. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Give Caregivers a Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
How to Hire CLRC Workers
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) serves businesses and homeowners needing help with just about any home remodeling or maintenance project. And local residents who’d like to hire a worker from the CLRC may do so easily. Either call 703-543-6272 or go to www.centrevilleLRC.org and click on the “How to Hire” link. Tell what kind of work is required, how many workers are needed and when.
The CLRC will match the needs to its registered workers’ skills and set up the job. The price for work will be negotiated. After the job is completed, employers are encouraged to provide the CLRC with feedback to ensure that the work was done well and to their satisfaction and to make sure the workers are fairly paid.
How to Help the CLRC
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) needs volunteers to lead vocational training workshops to increase the workers’ job skills. A Wednesday morning ESOL instructor is also needed; contact Molly Maddra at coordinator@centrevilleLRC.org for more information.
In addition, contributions to CLRC may be made at www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org. The organization is supported totally by grants and donations; it receives no government funding.
Drive Seniors to Appointments
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or email VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Personal Trainer Is Needed
The Sully Senior Center, at 5690 Sully Road in Centreville, needs a certified personal trainer – preferably, one with experience working with older adults – for one hour, two days a week. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
Women’s Self Defense Program
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women’s Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.
The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.
The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.