VOLUNTEER CENTER OF FAIRFAX COUNTY INC

VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX'S FIVE SIGNATURE PROGRAMS OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES IN WAYS THAT SUIT THEIR LIFESTYLES, SKILLS, AND INTERESTS. OUR VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT ALL VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, INCLUDING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, THOSE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY AND/OR HOMELESSNESS, AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. OUR VOLUNTEERS PERFORM A WIDE ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THAT FEED, CLOTHE, AND HOUSE THOSE WHO ARE LIVING IN POVERTY, AND ASSISTING DURING TIMES OF CRISIS.FOLLOWING ARE OUR FIVE SIGNATURE PROGRAMS: (1) THE ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM (ACS)-ASSISTS COURT- AND ATTORNEY-REFERRED CLIENTS IN AVOIDING FINES OR JAIL SENTENCES BY VOLUNTEERING. IN FY24, 109 CLIENTS CONTRIBUTED 5,405 SERVICE HOURS, SUPPORTING 27 AREA AGENCIES. (2) THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)-MANAGED BY VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX SINCE 2012, RSVP IS A PROGRAM OF AMERICORPS SENIORS. RSVP MATCHES THOSE OVER 55 WITH NONPROFIT PROGRAMS THAT NEED THEIR EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS. RSVP VOLUNTEERS FOCUS ON HEALTHY FUTURES, AGING IN PLACE, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. IN FY24, 187 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 9,883HOURS TO 39 AREA AGENCIES WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $329,985 TO THE COMMUNITY. (4) NONPROFIT VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM-THIS PROGRAM OFFERS BASIC TO ADVANCED TRAINING TO TEACH NONPROFITS HOW TO UTILIZE THEIR VOLUNTEERS AND PROVIDE A POSITIVE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE. TO SUPPORT AGENCIES WITH CRITICAL TRAINING DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, WE PIVOTED FROM A FEE-BASED TO AN ONLINE, FREE MODEL WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT. IN FY24, WE PRESENTED 37 WEBINARS TO 2,720 PARTICIPANTS. (5) EMERGENCY RESPONSE-VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX IS THE COUNTY'S DESIGNATED LEAD AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER AND DONATION MANAGEMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY OR DISASTER. WHILE VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX'S FULL-TIME MANAGER FOR THE PROGRAM WAS DEPLOYED FOR MUCH OF THE YEAR, VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN UPDATING THE VOLUNTEER RECEPTION CENTER PLAN IN COLLABORATION WITH FAIRFAX COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY (DEMS). STAFF PARTICIPATED IN A TABLETOP EXERCISE IN THE WINTER OF 2023, AND HAVE ACCRUED MORE THAN 225 HOURS IN FEMA/DEMS TRAINING RELATED TO VF'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESPONSIBILITIES. (5) CORPORATE VOLUNTEER SERVICES - CONNECTS BUSINESSES WITH HIGH IMPACT OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE, INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL NONPROFIT AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS BY ADDING CORPORATE SKILLS, EXPERTISE, AND RESOURCES THROUGH ITS BUSINESSLINK VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMS. BUSINESSLINK PROVIDES PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE TO THOSE BUSINESSES SEEKING CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYEE SERVICE ENGAGEMENTS. IN FY24, 6 CORPORATE PARTNERS COMPLETED 19 SERVICE PROJECTS WITH 592 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERING 2,015 HOURS.