Check out our just-released 2009-2010 Community Update for current info about how FACETS opens doors for people in need across Fairfax County!
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FACETS in the News
Faith Communities Kick Off Shelter Program, Springfield Connection, December 3, 2010Reflections: On Being Thankful, CentreView Connection, November 25, 2010Holiday Help, Fairfax Times, November 23, 2010How You Can Give Back, Oakton Patch, November 20, 2010Ask Fairfax! Focuses on Hypothermia, Oakton Patch, November 16, 2010National Homeless and Hunger Week a Priority for Fairfax Shelters, Lorton Patch, November 15, 2010FACETS Walks for Homelessness Awareness, Fairfax City Patch, November 12, 2010More County Residents Seek Emergency Help, Fairfax Connection, November 5, 2010
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-Hypothermia Prevention Drivers; Thursday and Sunday am, now through March 2011
-Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day, hosted by Volunteer Fairfax, January 17, 2010
-Client Transportation Assistants; Ongoing; esp. on Thursdays and Saturdays
-Community Program Assistants; Share your time and talents with children and adults at our three area community centers. Help lead evening programs such as homework help, computer lab, ESL and boys and girls groups
-Mentors
-Administrative Assistants
-Translation Assistants
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Advocacy & Awareness
Governor Bob McDonnell's Virginia Housing Policy Framework Initiative unveiled a November 2010 interim report, which featured an initial action plan to increase state capacity to address the needs of homeless Virginians. The report also highlighted a state-wide goal of preventing and reducing homelessness by 15 percent over the next three years. Click here to learn more.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Cyndi Jones
FACETS kicked off our 2010 - 2011 season of the Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program in November, which is hosted at nearly 30 area faith communities and supported by incredible volunteers like Cyndi.
 Which FACETS programs do you volunteer for?My son, Matt, and I have been volunteering through the Hot Meals and Hypothermia Prevention and Response Programs for about seven years through our church, Bethlehem Lutheran of Fairfax.Why did you choose to volunteer with FACETS? I wanted a way to serve those who are in need. I believe that it doesn't take much to make a positive difference. The smallest thing can make an impact, not only in the life of the one you reach out to, but in your own heart too.What is a special contribution that you have made as a volunteer? I also volunteer at Luther Place Night Shelter in Washington, D.C. where they offer activities for their clients who are homeless, including knitting and crocheting. I suggested that they sell us some of their knit hats, because I thought it would be a wonderful way to partner two agencies together that serve people in need. I provide the yarn, the ladies make beautiful hats, and I then buy the hats from them and give them out to people who receive hot meals here through FACETS. The women not only get the satisfaction of helping someone else, but they get a little pocket money too, so this is a win-win for everyone!Why do you think that volunteering is important in our community? I think that Fairfax County is, for the most part, very privileged, and people who are blessed with much should give much in return. I know how easily the folks I serve could be me or someone I love, because they are people just like us. By volunteering, I try to share a little bit of hope, and I count many of the FACETS folks that I serve as my friends.
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Giving Back for the Holidays
This November and December, FACETS is grateful for the many individuals and organizations that helped our neighbors in need celebrate plentiful holidays. We offered Thanksgiving meals to nearly 400 people, with special support from Capital Church of Vienna, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Lockheed Martin and Reston Interfaith. We participated in the Giving Circle of Hope's  annual Gifts that Give Hope gift fair, and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fairfax Circle Baptist Church, Fairfax Rotary Club, Meryl Lynch, Southview Baptist Church and Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce each hosted holiday gatherings for children served by FACETS. There is still time to get involved this season - make a donation of food or gifts for the December holidays by clicking here, or attend the Fair Trade Winds Holiday Shopping Night to benefit FACETS in Fairfax from 4:00 pm - 9:30 pm on December 18. We are fortunate to work in a community that provides such warm support, not only during the holidays but year-round, for people who are struggling to make ends meet.
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FACETS Fall Events Roundup-Record-Breaking Taste of Fall with FACETS
Click the below picture to view photos from Taste of Fall  On October 23, 2010, over 150 guests enjoyed liveentertainment by Alpha Dog Blues Band, presented by Bangkok Blues, and sampled a diverse array of local and international cuisine. This year's event raised over $51,000 for our programs, with a record-breaking FACETS live auction appeal of $21,000 alone. We would like to thank all of the Taste of Fall supporters, including the following sponsors: Neighborhood Benefactors: Joe and Maura Burke, L.F. Jennings, Inc; Door Openers: Peter and Lola Everett, Paul and Bonnie Hopler, Isler Dare Radcliffe & Connolly, P.C., Jim Corridon Electric Co., The Lann Companies and Frank Palmer
-Lending a Hand to Help the Homeless Click the below picture to view photos Help the Homeless Day  FACETS enjoyed a full season of Help the Homeless activities this fall, including mini-walks at our threecommunity centers and a new walk organized by Centreville high school student Melanie Robinson. Our Help the Homeless Community Day took place on November 7, 2010 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax with the partnership of Sun and Moon Yoga of Fairfax. The season ended on November 20 with the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where over 14,000 people - including an enthusiastic team of FACETS supporters - walked to prevent and end homelessness our regional community. We would like to thank everyone who came together to make this our most successful Help the Homeless program yet - stay tuned for final participant numbers from Fannie Mae.
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Celebrating Eid at Ragan Oaks On November 18, 2010, the Neighborhood Council of the Ragan Oaks Community Center-one of three where FACETS offers programs for children and adults-held a celebration of Eid ul-Fitr. Eid is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The Council, made up of parents and community leaders who live in the Ragan Oaks apartment buildings, planned, advertised and ran the celebration. A total of ten families attended, and each brought a traditional dish from their country to share with their neighbors. "The Holiday potluck provided an opportunity for adult residents to get to know their neighbors and build ties that make the community strong and connected," says Jessi Tong, Community Advocate for FACETS, pictured above.
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Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness Wins State-Wide Award FACETS is a member of The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, and took a leading role in organizing the "On Target: Giving Back to Get People Home" event held in August 2010. "On Target" was recently selected by Housing Virginia to receive the "Connecting Your Message" award for the This award spotlights creative ways that organizations use traditional and emerging forms of communication to deliver the housing affordability message. The award was presented at a reception at the Governors Housing Conference in November 2010. Click here to learn more about the Partnership and the On Target event.
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How You Can HelpMake a tax-deductible donation to FACETS before the end of the year. Your gift will have an impact on the lives of people in need in Fairfax County. More importantly, it will communicate your values of service and compassion in an unmistakable way to the community in which we live.To make an online donation, please click here. To mail us a donation, please fill out this form and return it to FACETS. For more information, please email us or call 703-352-3268.
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10640 Page Avenue, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030
703-352-5090 / 703-352-5088
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