Operation Turkey Kickoff, Back2School and Total Wine Success, Mental Health, Voting for the First Time, EDI























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Monthly Newsletter of Northern Virginia Family Service























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Community Support Buoys Our Work

We are fortunate to have the support of so many individuals and businesses in our community.

Total Wine & More selected NVFS as a community partner for its inaugural Points with a Purpose campaign in August and September. Thanks to the generosity of the community and our supporters who purchased products during the campaign, Total Wine was able to donate over $ 121,000 to help our neighbors in Northern Virginia not just survive, but thrive! We never fail to be impressed by how the community comes together to help their neighbors in need.

We also are also thrilled to report a successful Back2School drive. Normally when summer rolls around, we are eagerly gearing up for a new school year. This time, we all held our collective breath, unsure of what the school year would hold for us all. The pandemic definitely tested us. Every aspect of this drive had to be reimagined. However, once again the community stepped up and went the extra distance to ensure the kids in Norhtern Virginia would start the school year strong.

1,200 students were outfitted with supplies, including 4,800 notebooks. We are thankful for the 228 volunteer hours and the 103 volunteers that donated their time to ensure kids had a good learning experience. The success of this event was truly a display that we, as a community, will overcome anything, together.














Celebrating our Staff

We are fortunate at NVFS to have a team that is both accomplished and dedicated, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements. Two recent examples:

Ondrea McIntyre-Hall , who has been a leader here for 17 years, is taking on a new role at NVFS as Vice President for Program Quality, Impact and Integration. She will provide oversight of program impact, focusing on alignment, effectiveness, innovation, and continuous improvement as we chart the course into our second century.

And, Cliff Yee , our Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed <[link removed]> by Governor Northam to serve on the Advisory Board on Service & Volunteerism. The board is charged with advising the Governor and Cabinet Secretaries on matters related to the promotion and development of national service in the Commonwealth.














Operation Turkey Needs Your Help More Than Ever!

With the holidays approaching, it is time to not only think about what we are thankful for, but also how we can spread joy and hope to our neighbors in need this season. NVFS anticipates an increased community need for Operation Turkey and your support is crucial ! We need you!

This year we have 5 ways you can help <[link removed]>!

* Sponsor the event
* Donate Food via your purchase or our new no-contact wishlist
* Make a Cash Donation online or by check. ($ 50 provides a complete meal for a family of 4!)
* Donate Grocery Store Gift Cards so families can buy turkeys.
* Volunteer

Thank you for your generous support. With your help we will ensure that more than 1,200 of our neighbors can have a Happy Thanksgiving.














Thoughts of a Young, First-Time Voter

Mihir Kesavan, a Communications Intern at NVFS, considers the reasons, and importance of voting in this blog piece <[link removed]>. His voice and thought-process is interesting to consider since it is likely that many young voters are in a similar position - this being their first election where they can cast a vote.

"The decision to vote is daunting. I know that some people in my age group are reluctant to vote; they may not deem it all that important or doubt that their vote actually matters. However, I believe that if we consider what it means to vote and the current context in which we find ourselves, that stigma can change."














Feeling Overwhelmed? NVFS Offers Online Support, Counseling

Michael O'Connell, a reporter from the local newspaper Patch, recently interviewed <[link removed]> NVFS counselor Bianca Añez on the importance of mental health, and our work in supporting our clients' wellbeing with a particular focus on the immigrant and minority community during the pandemic. Thanks to our staff's resiliency and creativity, our donors, including a generous donation from Truist Cares, we have been able to continue offering vital mental health support virtually.

"Although the world has changed, there is this thing that hasn't changed. They still receive mental health support from us. And of course, that's also thanks to Truist that we're able to continue with our mission," per Añez.

To learn more about our services, get help, or get involved check out our website <[link removed]>.






























Considering the Mental Health of LatinX Immigrants

In recognition of #WorldMentalHealthDay, October 10, Yesenia Zelaya-Alem from our Multicultural Center considers the unique mental health challenges of LatinX immigrants <[link removed]>.

"The strongest communities are those that march into the future together, and by recognizing the unique mental health challenges some LatinX immigrants face, we are building a community of dignity and hope that serves to make all of our lives better, together."


























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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at NVFS

We are proud to report that our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is expanding in the agency. We've had many new members join our EDI committee that engages in conversations both internally and externally to reflect and grow as individuals.

Through multiple specialized committees, a diversity of membership, and important conversations based in trust and vulnerability, we are navigating these difficult waters to ensure that NVFS is a safe and welcoming workplace.






























We're Looking for Food Entrepreneurs

NVFS is partnering with La Cocina <[link removed]> to help people with a passion for food and limited resources get the training and information they need to sell their specialities. We are looking for eight people to join the fall class starting in November.

For information on the program, you can contact Liga Brige ( [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]?subject=La Cocina Info Request>) in our office--or pass her contact info on to someone you know who could benefit from this program.








Dates to Remember

November 3: Election Day

November 17-18: Operation Turkey Food Drop Off Day

Stay tuned for more information on our Gifting for Families toy drive!

























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Top Needs

Volunteers

* Group or individual volunteers for Operation Turkey (contact [email protected]) <mailto:[email protected]>
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Drivers to pick up food for the Hunger Resource Center (contact [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>)

Donations

*
Drivers to pick up food for the Hunger Resource Center (contact [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>)


* Hunger Resource Center <[link removed]>: Low-sodium canned veggies, canned fruit, cooking oil/spray, boxed meals (like Hamburger Helper)
* Clocktower Thrift Shop <[link removed]>: Items in gently used condition especially small furniture, home accents, outdoor furniture, sporting equipment, fall men's and women's clothing
* SERVE Family Shelter <[link removed]>: Guests staying at the SERVE Shelter often arrive with very few possessions of their own. You can help make them feel welcome and cared for during an uncertain time by assembling individual toiletry kits with full-size supplies. See the link for specific items.















Did you enjoy this edition of the Insider? Have a suggestion? Email us <mailto:[email protected]?subject=Suggestion for the NVFS Insider> and let us know what you liked or didn't like. We love hearing from our readers and are continually striving to provide relevant content.





































































































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