Volunteer Spotlight: Hannah Khazal

This Head Start Awareness Month, we’d like to give a shout out to George Mason University student, Hannah Khazaal, who has volunteered 160 hours at our Arlington Head Start (HS) Center! As one of our classroom volunteers, Hannah helps ensure that kids in our community have a strong foundation and can build on their educational success. Hannah reads stories to the students, engages in circle and playground time, and assists during special classes like music, arts and crafts, and even yoga. “I just love the kids and volunteering at the preschool,” Hannah explained, “and I like interacting with the children in this fun environment.” NVFS Head Start teacher, Ms. Khaleda, says having Hannah in the classroom is like having another teacher to depend on. “The children love her. She is very engaging and even gives us new ideas for classroom activities.”

Head Start is more than just educational preparation. The NVFS Head Start program supports parents and caregivers  and educates them on childhood development . They receive  resources to help them create healthy, successful futures for their kids and their families. Our classroom volunteers are vital to this work, providing the support and time to ensure these young learners, and their families, can thrive.

A big thank you to Hannah and all of our classroom volunteers!

Want to help educate and inspire the kids in our community? We need more classroom volunteers. Check out nvfs.org/volunteer or email Samara Weinstein at [email protected].

Join us for the 30th Anniversary CARE Awards

For 30 years, NVFS has hosted the CARE Awards, recognizing more than 100 companies for their outstanding culture, dedication to employee wellbeing, and corporate social responsibility efforts. Join us on Friday, November 4th for a celebration of the 2022 CARE Award winners. The program includes a dynamic panel conversation, moderated by Misti Mukherjee, covering topics on workplace flexilbity, wellbeing, and equity. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased here.

Snow Cone Social at the Shelter

With 92 beds, the NVFS SERVE Family Shelter in Manassas is the largest family shelter in Northern Virginia and, on average, 40% of our guests are children. During a family’s stay, case managers connect families with the tools, knowledge, and resources to help bring them lasting well-being and self-sufficiency. It’s hard work to transform one’s life, which is why we are always grateful when the community comes out to treat our guests to something fun and different.

Volunteer and donor Shannon Willet coordinated with Sharita Rouse, owner of Tummy Yum Yum in Old Town Manassas, to bring an evening of snow cone fun to the shelter guests. Serving snow cones out of Sharita’s bright red food truck, guests could order their favorite flavor from among a wide selections. It was a great, and tasty, time. “Events like these are important,” explained Julie Martinez, community and volunteer engagement specialist, “our guests see how much the community cares and these moments of joy alleviate  a stressful situation.” Thank you, Shannon and Sharita!

Join us to support our neighbors’ journeys towards self-sufficiency. Learn more or contact Julie Martinez at [email protected].

Create a Legacy During National Estate Planning Awareness Week

Have you considered what your legacy will be? October 17-23 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week and is the perfect time to consider leaving a charitable legacy gift (also called a planned gift) that will benefit your loved ones while strengthening our community today and for generations to come. NVFS is here to answer your questions and will work with you to find a gift that best fits your unique situation. Your support is vital to helping us serve the community. Learn more at nvfs.org/legacy or contact Alyssa Lee at [email protected].