Know something that should be included in our Volunteers listing? Fax a brief write-up to 703-917-0991 or call Lea Mae Rice at 703-917-6459.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers to serve as mentors to disadvantaged pregnant women and new mothers. Mentors will help clients learn about good health during pregnancy, locate needed information, services and equipment, provide positive reinforcement, model sound parenting skills, and will support clients as they plan for stable futures. The next training session for volunteers is Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad St. For more information, contact Pilar Jones at 703-860-2633 or visit www.naomiproject.org.
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging seeks bilingual (Korean/English) volunteers to offer telephone assistance to Korean-speaking older adults who need resources and services. Familiarity with the Internet is also needed. Ongoing training and support will be provided. To learn more about resources for seniors in Fairfax County, visit the county’s Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/seniors. Call Michelle Monk at 703-324-7647 (TTY 711) or e-mail michelle.monk@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Guitars not Guns is seeking volunteers to help the organization establish a program in the Springfield/Annandale area. Classes will consist of eight weekly sessions, about 90 minutes long, with eight-10 students per class. The program is tentatively looking at holding the first level 1 class the week of Monday, September 18. The class would finish by Sunday, Nov. 12. Volunteer positions available include: class monitor, someone to be responsible for an eight week class session; teachers, to teach the guitar lessons; teacher assistants to help the teacher during class; program chairperson to develop a plan and incentives for the students; fundraising chairperson; business liaison chairperson to contact local businesses to find corporate sponsors; facilities chaiperson to find places where classes can be taught; and a partners chairperson who can find other youth organizations for Guitars not Guns to work with. For more information contact Skip Chaples at 703-644-1311.
Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services seeks volunteers for its BeFriend mentoring programs. Mentors work with either children or parents, participating in one-on-one activities. The program is in special need of male and African American mentors. The next training session for prospective mentors is Saturday, September 30, from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. near Seven Corners in Falls Church. Mentors must be at least 21 years old. Contact Chuck Berlin at 703-324-7874 for more information.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates to promote the quality of life and care for people living in long-term care facilities. Volunteers are assigned to a specific local nursing home or assisted-living facility to meet one-on-one with residents. Apply now for the training scheduled for Sept. 26, 27 and Oct. 6. For further information or an application, call 703-324-5435 or TTY: 703-449-1186 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/LTCOmbudsman.
Language Access Coordinator seeks bilingual speakers of foreign languages for the Fairfax County Office of County Executive to serve as volunteer verifiers of translated government documents. After training, interviewing and testing, volunteers can review for accuracy the many documents that are routinely translated for public distribution. To qualify, participants must have e-mail access, as most of this work can be done from home, and a good command of written English and be able to speak the appropriate language. Contact Angie Carrera at 703-324-2531 or by e-mail at angie.carrera@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Project SUCCESS is seeking donations for items to put into transition bags for children who are moving from their homes 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.
United Community Ministries needs volunteers and donations in several areas. These include:
* Tutors to work with elementary-school aged children. Spanish is helpful but not required. Spanish speaking volunteers are needed to help adult Hispanic clients with resume writing. Contact: Sue Kelley, volunteer program manager at United Community Ministries, 703-768-7106, ext. 326. Visit www.ucmagency.org.
* Donations of the following items: all types of foods, juices, diapers in all sizes, formulas such as Enfamil with Iron, feminine hygiene products, single-pack applesauce, all products that can be eaten out of packages without storage or cooking, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs and brushes, small shampoos, cereal, bus tokens for basic-needs clients, gas station vouchers with designated amounts on them for basic-needs clients. Donations can be made through a church or community organization or drop off donations at 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria, Monday-Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. UCM can schedule pickups for donations of food by churches or other organizations. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti, 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
* Drivers to transport food to United Community Ministries' clients who are disabled or ill and are unable to make it to the Food Closet. Each volunteer would have to commit to one hour per week for at least a three-month period. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106 x326.
* Tutors for the Journey’s Program for a GED student who is currently working part-time and would like to apply to Northern Virginia Community College’s health profession program after obtaining her GED. For more information, contact Teresa Quinn at 703-768-7106 x318.
* A computer tutor who enjoys interacting with senior citizens to teach computer classes one day or evening a week for two hours. A small stipend is available for this volunteer position. For more information contact Jacque Lester at 703-768-7106 x339.
Volunteer English instructors are still 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.
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 Gretchen at 703-671-5666, or e-mail Education_hcv@yahoo.com.
The Healthy Families Fairfax Advisory Council is seeking an experienced professional in communications or marketing to serve as a consultant on a voluntary basis. The council’s mission is to educate residents of the community, service providers and policymakers about the Healthy Families Fairfax program. Trained professionals and paraprofessionals provide in-home support services to first-time parents who, because of family history or experience, are at risk of abusing or neglecting their child. Contact Juone Darko at 703-324-7922; TTY 703-222-9452, or juone.darko@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking volunteers to serve as front desk associates at the Fairfax County Employee Fitness Center, located at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Volunteers greet the public, answer phone calls and assist visitors to the facility. Volunteers must be able to complete front desk service training and be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers who work four hours per week receive free use of limited facilities at any of the Park Authority’s nine RECenters. A one-year commitment is preferred. Call 703-324-8569 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/volunteer.htm.
The Angels of Mercy Program is asking Scout, school and church groups to collect new or used CDs and DVDs for its program supporting wounded military at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at hospitals in Iraq. Call Marian at 703-938-8930 or visit www.mcleanpost270.org/oifoef.
Heatherwood Retirement in Burke is looking for high school or college students for volunteer hours. Contact Anthony at 703-425-1698.
Fairfax Area Agency on Aging's Meals on Wheels (MOW) program is opening a new delivery route for seniors who live in the Centreville/Chantilly area. The additional delivery route needs leadership volunteers to serve as group treasurer, group coordinator and driver coordinator. Also, more volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals during the week to senior adults who live in this area. The job involves picking up meals between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. and delivering the meals to seniors by 1 p.m. Drivers can choose to deliver meals on a daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly or substitute basis. Job descriptions are available for all volunteer positions. Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to seniors who live in the following areas: Springfield, Vienna, McLean, Annandale, Falls Church, Baileys Crossroads, Tysons, Reston, Herndon and Little River Glen. For more information, please call the Fairfax AAA Volunteer Intake Line at 703-324-5406 or e-mail melanie.mitchell@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Tuesday’s Children, a national nonprofit organization that provides services to 9/11 families, is currently recruiting adults in the Burke/Fairfax Station to serve as positive role models for kids ages 6-16 who lost a parent on Sept. 11, 2001. Tuesday’s Children provides a wide-range of services, including mentoring, advocacy for children, next-step life skills and leadership training for adults. Mentors must be 18 years of age and agree to a one-year commitment. Call 202-558-5120 or e-mail brooke@tuesdayschildren.org.
The City of Fairfax Senior Center needs seniors to volunteer for a new program in development, "Senior to Senior," a hotline for seniors to provide information about free resources that are available. Volunteers are needed to work the phones for two-hour shifts. Call 703-359-2487.
ESL and Immigrant Ministries, a non-profit organization that teaches English as a second language classes in Northern Virginia, is looking for volunteers and students for the fall semester. Training is provided and classes begin in September. To download an application visit www.eslim.org or call 703-841-0292 for more information.
The annual VolunteerFest, a region-wide day of community service produced by Volunteer Fairfax, will be held Saturday, Oct. 28. Fairfax County nonprofits and government agencies are invited to submit project proposals and participate in this event. To submit a project proposal, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org and follow to link to VolunteerFest. For more information, contact Erin Whyte at ewhyte@volunteerfairfax.org or (703) 246-3460, ext. 7.
World Heritage is seeking families, couples or single parents (with or without children at home), who are interested in hosting a high-school-aged foreign exchange student. Students from France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Russia, China, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy await homes for the 2006-2007 school year. Call 1-800-888-9040 or visit www.world-heritage.org.
Sunrise Assisted Living in Fairfax is looking to integrate the community into its home. Anyone ages 14 or older is welcome. Valid toward school community service hours. Call 703-691-0046.
Trail volunteers are needed for the Meadowood Recreation Area in Mason Neck. Volunteers will help with trail maintenance and construction activities including pruning, brush cutting, grading, landscaping and construction. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis for trail work days and maintenance activities. Contact Jeff McCusker, outdoor recreation planner at 703-339-3463 or jeff_mccusker@blm.gov.
Family practice physicians and nurses (RNs, LPNs, CPNs, nurse practitioners), active or retired, are needed as volunteers in the primary care clinic at NOVA's Medical Education Campus located near Springfield Mall. Hours and days vary. Call Ronda Wright at 703-822-6607 for details.
Volunteers are needed at the Lamb Center at Fairfax Circle, an organization that serves the homeless, Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 703-267-6801.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting community-minded citizens from diverse backgrounds to volunteer as advocates for children whose families have been cited for abuse and neglect by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The role of a CASA is to investigate a child’s situation and to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child in court. All CASA volunteers undergo training to prepare them for this role and no prior experience in child welfare is required. We are especially in need of male and bilingual volunteers. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity, visit www.casafairfax.org or call or e-mail the Fairfax CASA’s Recruitment & Training Manager at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
Crisislink, the greater Washington region's only 24/7 crisis, suicide and trauma prevention, intervention & response hotline, seeks volunteers to take calls and respond directly to individuals in need on a suicide and crisis hotline. Visit www.crisislink.org and complete the online application or call 703-527-4077 to volunteer.
Inova VNA Home Health is recruiting volunteers to act as friendly visitors to provide companionship to lonely, homebound patients in Alexandria location only. Volunteers are asked to spend one to two hours per week talking with a patient, running errands and doing odd jobs. Visiting can be done either during the day, in the evening or on the weekend as the volunteer's schedule allows. Training will be provided. Contact Marion Hart or Adele Jenney at 703-916-2885.
Inova VNA Home Health is recruiting office volunteers to assist in the Alexandria office. Volunteers perform a variety of tasks. Two or three hour weekday shifts are requested. Training will be provided. Contact Marion Hart or Adele Jenney at 703-916-2885.
The Fairfax County Park Authority along with local environmental and conservation groups launched a new volunteer program to fight the spread of invasive plant species in county parks. The Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program is a pilot project led by 20 IMA leaders and over 100 citizen volunteers to help native plants survive. IMA volunteers pull invasives and replant native plants from April through October. In September, volunteers will be removing kudzu at Lake Accotink in Springfield and English ivy at Woodglen Lake in Fairfax Station. For more information on IMA sites or volunteering call the Resource Management Division at 703-324-8674. Brochures with photographs for identifying invasive backyard and forest plants are available at FCPA sites. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources/nrp-ima.htm.