Global Youth Service Day 2015!

It’s Spring! And young people everywhere are springing into action by joining the worldwide service extravaganza Global Youth Service Day. In over 100 countries, from Jakarta to Australia, from Spain to the National Capital region, a million junior volunteers are making an impact on their local communities. That’s powerful!  Youth ages 5 to 25 are invited to participate.

It's not too late to sign up!  Projects are available throughout the month of April!

Can't make it to a project?  Take part in our Youth Advisory Board's social media campaign to spread kindness!  Tweet a nice message to a friend using the hashtags #FairfaxGYSD and #VolunteerFFX and ask them to pass it on! 

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Sweeney at jsweeney@volunteerfairfax.org. To find out more about the national day of service visit GYSD.org. Join the movement!   

Happy Volunteering!

Volunteer Solutions

 Take this quiz to test your knowledge of issues of the elderly facing hunger and this month’s spotlight organization, Volunteer Solutions!  Answers can be found at the end of the post.

1.      How many individuals live below the poverty line in Fairfax County?

a.      86,000

b.      39,000

c.       44,000

d.      65,000

2.      What percentage of individuals living below the poverty line in Fairfax County is above the age of 55?

a.      5%

b.      14%

c.       17%

d.      22%

3.      Nationally, the rate of poverty in the older population is significantly less than the general population due to economic support programs such as Social Security and Medicare. This is true among the older population in Fairfax County.

a.      True

b.      False

4.      Between 2004 and 2008, economic insecurity among older households increased by how much?

a.      2%

b.      9%

c.       12%

d.      7%

5.      What area in Fairfax County has the highest percentage of older households (55 and older) below the poverty line?

a.      Arlington

b.      Alexandria

c.       Centreville

d.      Fairfax City

6.      What county has the lowest percentage of older households below the poverty level?

a.      Fairfax County

b.      Loudoun County

c.       Prince Williams County

d.      Arlington County

7.      When is JMCAP (James Mott Community Program) offered?

a.      Once a year

b.      Every other month

c.       Once a month

d.      Every week

8.      The food pantry staff:

a.      Helps define eligible participants

b.      Help participants complete required enrollment forms/assessments for the Congregate Meals Program

c.       Help collect participant meal orders

d.      All of the above

9.      By 2030 what is the projected number of elderly northern Virginians living in poverty?

a.      50,000

b.      2,500

c.       300,000

d.      None of the above

10.   What food is not good to donate?

a.      Canned meat

b.      Twinkies

c.       Oil

d.      Juice

Volunteer Solutions & Elderly and Hunger

This month we focused on hunger issues for older adults.

Volunteer Solutions details the struggle for older adults to find adequate food requirements while drifting around the poverty line. Older individuals often find themselves without adequate nutritional needs and without the support networks that are around to help younger people who fall below the poverty line. Volunteer Solutions and its affiliates help to combat this problem in the NOVA area by creating a network of services for older adults ranging from volunteer opportunities in their communities to nutritional assistance and guidance in their own lives.  They connect volunteers with opportunities to assist with senior services including grocery shopping, counseling, social services, and transportation.

Volunteer Solutions offers a Meals on Wheels program to provides meals and supplements to older adults who live in Fairfax County and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. 5 days a week, volunteers deliver two meals to Fairfax area residents over 60 and over and adults with disabilities who cannot shop for or prepare their own meals or have no one available to provide meals.

 Volunteer Solutions engages in partnerships with successful nonprofits such as food pantries, faith based religious organizations, and community based secular organizations. These include the organizations of WFCM (Western Fairfax Christian Ministries), Food for Others, and the Capital Area Food Bank, as well as Stuff the Bus.

We would like to thank Maria Loh from Volunteer Solutions for speaking with us and providing up with the information about hunger and elderly in our community.  Thanks, Maria!

Consider volunteering at one (or all!) of these organizations to make an impact for tackling hunger in our community.  For even more youth and family volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.

Fairfax Area Meals on Wheels and Nutritional Supplement Program

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/meals-on-wheels.htm

Goal:  Provides meals and supplements to older adults who live in Fairfax County and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. Meals on Wheels delivers two nutritional meals five days a week to Fairfax area residents over the age of 60 and adults with disabilities who cannot shop for or prepare their own meals. This program promotes independent living for older individuals, delays placement in an institutionalized placement, and allows adults that need to stay at home to recover from medical problems.  

Volunteer Opportunities:

·         Vietnamese Meals on Wheels needs drivers in Falls Church to deliver meals between the hours of 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (Speaking Vietnamese not required.)

·         Korean Meals on Wheels needs Korean-speaking volunteers to deliver meals midday on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Centreville, Reston, Fairfax, Annandale and Falls Church.

·         Meals on Wheels needs drivers in Chantilly and McLean between the hours of 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Substitute drivers needed throughout the county.

James Mott Community Assistance Program

 Goal: To provide families with goals to focus on self-sufficiency that will create greater individual and family independence. The agency advocates prevention and early crisis intervention to nurture the safety, health, and well-being of low-income youth, adults and the elderly in at risk communities.

Volunteer Opportunities: JMCAP welcomes volunteers for all seasons. Middle and high school students are welcome to apply for volunteer opportunities.

Volunteers can provide assistance in the following programs:

*Food pantries

*Fundraising

*Grocery Program which serves 2 senior community centers by distributing groceries.

Application link: http://jamesmottcommunityassistanceprogram.vpweb.com/upload/Volunteer%20Application%20Form%20pdf.pdf

Applications can be sent via email to jmcapinfo@jmcap.org

-Capital Area Food Bank

http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/volunteer/

Goal:The Capital Area Food Bank distributes 42 million pounds of food, equivalent to 35 million meals, yearly to the greater Washington, DC community through its network of 500 partner agencies and its direct food distribution programs. A food and education hub, the food bank specializes in providing food and training services uniquely matched to meet community needs.

 Volunteer Opportunities:

-DC Warehouse - packing, sorting, loading, administrative tasks

-Shuttle Service - drivers

-Senior Brown Bag Program

quiz answers:

1. D// 2. C// 3. false// 4. B// 5. A// 6. B// 7. C// 8. D// 9. A// 10. B

PRS Crisis Link

PRS Crisis Link and Suicide Prevention

This month’s topic was suicide prevention and bullying. Although it may be difficult to talk about, suicide is a serious issue that affects the lives of many. Nearly 40,000 Americans took their lives in 2014, and suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Many people who experience suicidal thoughts or feelings often struggle to obtain help and support.

One organization based in Northern Virginia that aims to provide help, support and empowerment to people feeling depressed, suicidal, bullied or lonely is Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS) CrisisLink. This 24 hour, 7 day a week call and text service is composed primarily of trained volunteers who are available to provide support for anyone who is experiencing or knows someone experiencing any form of emotional distress with any cause. In 1969, CrisisLink was founded for Arlington teens seeking help, and in the years since, has expanded to cater to all age groups in Northern Virginia, and even outside of the region. The resource center is largely composed of trained volunteers who come from a wide variety of ages, ethnicities, cultures, lifestyles and backgrounds.

We would like to thank Mr. Brill for coming to talk with us about this issue, and all the volunteers at PRS CrisisLink for the fantastic work they do every day.

How You Can Help

You can volunteer at a crisis hotline, create awareness, or fundraise. To create awareness you can post stickers for a crisis text hotline in school bathrooms. Crisis Text Line (CTL), a 24/7 crisis text-messaging service, provides real-time, anonymous counseling specifically to young people. Students can text anything to 741-741 if they ever need someone to listen.

Another advocacy idea is to ask permission from your school to read anti-bullying tactics and relevant inspirational quotes over the school loudspeaker for a week.

For example:

Tactic: If you feel comfortable in the situation, step in and stop the bullying face-to-face.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” --Winston Churchill

You can also spread positivity by posting notes on school mirrors to improve people’s self-esteem. Use sticky notes to write encouragement and inspiration. 

 

You can run bake sales or yard sales with your friends to raise money for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or other non-profit suicide call centers.

If you or a friend are thinking about suicide or self-harm, consider these options. There are many reasons to enjoy life, and we want to help you rediscover them.

-By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

-Calling (703) 527-4077 will put you in touch with a local-Virginia area help center.

-Texting can sometimes be an easier way to reach out. Text the PRS crisis hotline at 703.940.0888 to talk to someone who cares

-Talk to a friend, family member, counselor, or teacher. Although they may not express it on a daily basis, there are many people in this world who care deeply about you.

-Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all have suicide prevention methods built in. Simply click on the help buttons to learn more.

-Visit http://www.stopbullying.gov/ to learn how to stop bullying.

-LGBTQ individuals are often at a higher risk for suicide and bullying. Visit http://www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org/ to find information and call lines.

Take a pledge against bullying!

http://www.pacer.org/bullying/digitalpetition/

How to Help a Suicidal Friend

1: Be on the lookout for “invitations”. Suicidal individuals may show that they want someone to help them through their behavior. Signs may include abnormal impulsiveness, moodiness, or mentions of suicide.

2: Ask openly and directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” This may be scary, but it shows that you care and are a supportive resource for someone whether they are considering suicide or not.

3: Be a non-judgemental, considerate listener. Let your friend talk about their thoughts and feelings. Don’t be dismissive. Don’t rush them off to find treatment. Show that you care.

4: Help your friend connect to other support resources. Check out PRS Crisis Link and Suicide Prevention and the other resources mentioned in this post!

5: Continue to care and check on your friend even if they seem to be doing better. PRS Crisis Link and Suicide Prevention will also support and advise you as a caregiver to your friend.

6: Attend a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program if you are 16 or older. Go to livingworks.net to find sessions in your area.

Here’s a video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAMAnPRLMH8

*Remember, if someone you know is in serious danger of suicide, call 911 immediately.*

Foster Care to Success

    Take this quiz to test your knowledge of foster children and this month’s spotlight organization, Foster Care to Success!  Answers can be found at the end of the post.

  1.) What is the average age of a child in foster care?

a)      20 years

b)      15 years

c)       10 years

d)      5 years

e)      50 years

2.)  What states does the organization Foster Care to Success offer their funding to?

a)      Virginia

b)      Virginia, Texas, Florida, and California

c)       Alabama, Illinois, and Wisconsin

d)      A and C

e)      All 50 states

   3.) What is the average percentage for a child in foster care to graduate college?

a)      50%

b)      30%

c)       20%

d)      10%

e)      3%

   4.)  TRUE OR FALSE? 25% of students graduate from college within five years in Foster Care to Success?

   5.)  Since 1991, how much funding has Foster to Care Success awarded to students?

a)      $10,000

b)      $1 million

c)       $5 million

d)      $10 million

Instructions: For questions 6-9, fill in the blanks using the word bank below.

	WORD BANK                     a.)care package        b.)Sponsored Scholarship                    c.)advice, support, and encouragement                              d.)  grants, weaving, knitting and crocheting

 

6.) As an individual, you can help Foster Care to Success through the ____________ Program,  to help a former foster student attend college.

7    7.) You can also help fund or make a _________ that will be sent to students in the program 3 times a year as encouragement (for as little as $40)

      8.)   If you are 25 years or older, you can also become a  coach/mentor with training to be a role model and advocate for students and provide ___________________ to stay in school and excel.

     9.)  You can also contribute to the Red Scarf Program, which provides _____ for emergency expenses. Anyone can help by _____, _______, or ________red scarves.

10.)TRUE OR FALSE? Foster Care to Success’s mission is to help former youth find pathways to success through higher education

answers: 1.) C// 2.)E// 3.)E// 4.)false--it's 60%!// 5.)D// 6.)B// 7.)A// 8.)C// 9.)D// 10.)true

This month’s spotlight organization is Foster Care to Success.  Check out the information below to learn more about them!

        This month’s focus is on the difficulty of emerging from the foster care system. Young adults leaving foster care are faced with the challenge of finding their ways without the assurance of a safety net a family provides. Almost 25 percent of them do not have a high school diploma and a mere 2.5 percent achieve a four-year college degree by age 26. Furthermore, they face a high likelihood of homelessness and incarceration. Without the financial and emotional support of a family, young adults leaving foster care are left to find their own paths and support themselves.

        To help combat this problem, Foster Care to Success works to provide former foster with guidance to find avenues to success through higher education. Foster Care to Success was founded in 1981 and is the oldest and largest national nonprofit organization helping young adults from the foster care system attain success after high school. They strive to not only provide students with financial support for college, but for trade school and vocational school as well, stressing the importance of matching individuals with the path that best fits them.

        Foster Care to Success runs programs including Aim Higher and 21^st Century Workplace Success which help young adults leaving foster care develop skills to improve college and employment readiness. The organization has also awarded over $10 million worth of scholarships funded by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals in addition to administering Education Training Vouchers to help pay for education and its subsequent expenses. In certain states, Foster Care to Success awards state-funded grants for former foster youth attending post-secondary educational institutions. Adults over the age of 25 can apply to become coaches to students, providing support, encouragement, and advice. Anyone can lend a hand by donating items to be distributed to students in care packages which Foster Care to Success send to former foster youth three times each year.

        Over 60 percent of the students in Foster Care to Success’s Sponsored Scholarship Program graduate from college in under six years which is more than twenty times as great as the percentage of students from foster care who attend college without the organization’s support. Individuals can offer support by making financial donations, coaching students, and contributing to care packages. Visit the Foster Care to Success website for more information. Thank you to Lynn Davis for taking to speak to us!

Consider volunteering at one (or all!) of these organizations to make an impact for children in the foster care system.  For even more youth and family volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.

Together We Rise

https://www.togetherwerise.org/

 Goals:

-Together We Rise is dedicated to providing opportunities to foster children that they might not otherwise have

-Foster children often cannot afford luxury goods such as sports equipment, suitcases, bicycles, etc.

-Through donations and fundraising campaigns, Together We Rise helps provide opportunities for these children.

-Together We Rise also allows you to design your own fundraising campaign! Sign up here: https://www.togetherwerise.org/fundraise-

Coptic Orphans

 http://www.copticorphans.org/

Goals:

-To unlock the potential of orphans in Egypt through grassroot partnerships and volunteer networks.

-To break help orphan children obtain better education and break the cycle of poverty

- To give at risk children the opportunities and skills to become change makers in their communities.

 Volunteer opportunities include

-Volunteer 3 weeks in Egypt teaching orphans English for youth 17 years old and older.

-Plan fundraising events

- Collect school supplies

-Volunteer at the local office in Merrifield

-Sponsor a child for $50 a month

Fairfax CASA

http://www.fairfaxcasa.org/

Goals:

-To provide children in need of advocation and representation in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

-To enable these children to live in a safe home for the duration of their youth

 Volunteer opportunities include

-To represent a child in court as a court appointed special advocate

-Supporting CASA by participating in the “Run for the Children Run/walk” on May 2nd, 2015

-To attend an information session on January 31st, 2015 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library to learn about long term volunteer opportunities. 

Our Military Kids

Take this quiz to test your knowledge of military families and this month’s spotlight organization, Our Military Kids!  Answers can be found at the end of the post.

1)     What percent of U.S. citizens serve in the U.S. Military?

a)     3.5%

b)     2.5%

c)      1.0%

d)     1.3%

       2) What percent of military service members have children?

a)     48%

b)     42.6%

c)      87%

d)     99.9%

e)     none of the above

3)     What percent of veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder?

a)     88%

b)     56%

c)      22%

d)     20%

4)     When did PTSD become a recognized mental disorder?

a)     1492

b)     1597

c)      1981

d)     1980

e)     2001

      5)  Which of these organizations will provide aid to military families and veterans?

a)     Our Military Kids

b)     Blue Star Moms

c)      Operation Gratitude

d)     USO

e)     All of the above

6)     True or False: You must be an active military member to receive benefits from charities and government organizations?

a)     True

b)     False

     7) If an Our Military Kid is feeling lonely or sad, who can they reach out to?

a)     Organizations such as Our Military kids

b)     A parent

c)      Friends and sports teams

d)     School counselors

e)     All of the above

8)     Our Military Kids has donated how much to military children?

a)     $20,000

b)     $200,000

c)      $525,600

d)     $20,000,000

     9) True or False: Our Military Kids only provides aid to children and families in-state.

a)     True

b)     False

10) Our Military Kids is a non-profit: True or False?

a)     True

b)     False

This month’s spotlight organization is Our Military Kids.  Check out the information below to learn more about them!

This month’s organization is called Our Military Kids. Many military children are in need of support in times of adversity. This national organization provides grants to children of service members from all branches of the military.  These grants allow the children of military families the ability to participate in extracurricular activities.  Over 50,000 grants have been awarded for the fine arts, sports, and tutoring, totaling to over 200 million dollars. 

            “The grant from Our Military Kids was a true financial blessing.  This camp gave her the opportunity to train with gymnasts on the U.S. team for the first time,” said the mother of two time Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas.  Gabby received a grant from Our Military Kids to attend a key gymnastics camp that helped her Olympic career.  Her father served in the International Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2003.  Thanks to Our Military Kids, America will be able to root for Gabby in the 2016 summer Olympics!

This national organization started in Virginia and quickly spread to touch the lives of many military families all over the country.  Linda Davidson, one of the founders of Our Military Kids, started the organization in 2004 solely to benefit the military children in the state of Virginia.  Due to the positive effects of these grants, she expanded the organization at a national level in 2006. 

Thank you Ms. Davidson and the numerous donors for supporting the children of our nation’s heroes!

Consider volunteering at one (or all!) of these organizations to make an impact for service members and their loved ones.  For even more youth and family volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.

Operation Homefront

Website: www.operationhomefront.net

 Goals:

·         Assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and financial assistance.

·         Assists wounded soldiers recover.

·         Supports every military family member. They host a gala each year that recognizes an extraordinary military child and host multiple Homefront Celebrations each year to show their appreciation to military spouses.

Volunteer Opportunities

·         Social media assistant

·         Representative at events

·         General volunteer

·         Pick up/deliveries

·         Special events

Operation Gratitude

Website: www.operationgratitude.com

Goal: annually sends 150,000+ care packages filed with snack, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items plus personal letters of appreciation to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warrior, Care Givers, and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas.

Volunteer Opportunities:

·         Letters of gratitude

·         Collect food and other supplies to send

·         Donate vehicles

·         Financial donations

Arlington National Cemetery Wreath Laying

Website: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

Goal: The gift of flowers at a memorial site is a ritual that occurs around the world, understood in every culture. These types of memorials are made each day at Arlington National Cemetery, at the dozens of funeral services occurring there and in solitary communion with a departed loved one. More formal ceremonies involve the laying of a wreath and the attendance of others at this ritual. These, too, are held frequently at Arlington.

Volunteer Opportunities:

·         lay a wreath down during a ceremony

·         Participate in Wreaths Across America on Saturday, December 13 which involves laying wreaths throughout the cemetery.

Quiz answer key:

1.)C // 2.)B // 3.)D // 4.)D // 5.)E // 6.)B // 7.)E // 8.)D // 9.)B // 10.)A