| Heading Back to School with Full Backpacks
"I wanted to take a moment to share with you how wonderful it was to be able to participate in the FACETS Back to School Drive! Each of our 66 banking centers collected 1 or 2 backpacks filled with supplies that were donated by our associates. The response we got was overwhelming, as word spread quickly of why these kids needed our help. For those of us who helped the day of the drive - transporting supplies, setting up, helping the children pick their backpacks and fill them up - it was one of the most rewarding experiences. The long lines, the excited faces, the excited gasps as they found that awesome backpack, those are the stories we brought with pride back to our workplace." - Gauri Sharma, Bank of America Our 2011 Back to School Drive was a wonderful success. With the support of many generous donors and volunteers, FACETS provided backpacks and school supplies to more than 325 children in need. We appreciate the help our community provided by collecting school supplies in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and faith communities; making donations to the drive; sorting, transporting, and setting up school supplies; and assisting students as they filled their backpacks with needed supplies. Recipients spanned the range from little ones eager to start kindergarten to teenagers proud to be heading off to college.
We are excited to share the news that our Back to School Drive won Project of the Year at the Virginia State Neighborhood Conference held last week in Richmond! We would like to extend our thanks to everyone involved in this effort to help kids start the year off ready to learn, encouraging them to achieve academic success and helping to break the cycle of poverty. |
|
Get to Know FACETS
We have started a new program to provide an opportunity for people to learn more about FACETS, our vision, the work we do in the community, and the people we help. This is a great introduction for anyone new to FACETS or for friends or colleagues of yours who might be interested in being part of our efforts to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
Opening the First Door:
Getting to Know FACETS
Thursday, October 13, 2011, 6-7 PM
FACETS, 10640 Page Avenue, Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
This program will last no more than one hour and you will have the opportunity to meet and hear from our Executive Director, Amanda Andere, along with board members, and members of the professional staff. I am sure you will find it informative. You will not be asked to make any financial contribution, but we would welcome your advice and feedback.
To attend the program:
|
|
A Taste of Fall with FACETS
October 22nd, 7-9 PM
 Please join us at our new venue for this fun-filled and meaningful annual event. Sample food and drinks from local restaurants, wineries, and brewpubs, enjoy live music from The Garrett Fitzgerald Band, and browse exciting live and silent auction prizes. Tickets are on sale now and are only $35 per guest. Special thanks to our media sponsors:
|
|
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Below are just a few of the volunteer opportunities currently available with FACETS. To sign-up or for more information about volunteering with FACETS, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Lauren Breeden, at 703-865-4251 or lbreeden@facetscares.org.
Mentors
Mentors are needed to meet weekly, one-on-one, with a youth or adult to provide support, guidance, and encouragement to succeed at home, in school, or in the workplace. Mentors must commit to at least one year, and be at least 21 years of age.
Office and Administrative Helpers
Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks, including reception coverage, data entry, translation, filing, sorting donations, and organizing our food pantry. One-time and ongoing opportunities are available, depending on the specific task.
Volunteer Drivers
Volunteers are needed to drive clients to and from eye doctor appointments every Tuesday; typically, a volunteer would be transporting three individuals at once for 9:30 AM appointments. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and may use their personal vehicle or FACETS' van; clean driving record is required. |
|
FACETS in the News
The Connection newspapers published a special issue of their paper in August focused on the Ten-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Fairfax County-Falls Church community. The issue features an article on FACETS' Hot Meals program and a column from our Executive Director, Amanda Andere, as well as articles about the work of our fellow nonprofits and the county. View the issue online here. (And don't miss the cover of the Burke issue, featuring some of our volunteers.) Partnering to Help Those in Need, Fairfax Times, September 23, 2011 Editorial: Five Percent, McLean Connection, August 4, 2011 Apple Credit Union, FACETS Prep Students for New School Year, Fairfax City Patch, July 27, 2011 7 Questions - Amanda Andere (FACETS), Good Works [blog of Catalogue for Philanthropy, Greater Washington], July 21, 2011 Two Counties Reduce Homelessness During Recession, NACO County News, July 18, 2011 Frey Names Sully's Lord and Lady Fairfax, Centre View, July 7, 2011 At FACETS, Summer Means Planning for the Cold, Fairfax Times, June 24, 2011 FACETS Finds New Homes, Lives for Families, Fairfax City Patch, May 12, 2011 Oakton Residents Nominated for Volunteer Awards, Oakton Patch, March 25, 2011 |
|
Lace Up Your Walking Shoes to Help the Homeless
FACETS is honored to have once again been selected as a beneficiary of Fannie Mae's Help the Homeless Program, the goals of which are to raise awareness of homelessness in the Washington, DC area and to raise funds to support organizations, such as FACETS, working to prevent and end homelessness.
Our goal is to have at least 700 people walk in support of FACETS through mini-walks in our community and participation in the Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall. Please help us reach this goal and qualify for an incentive award of $10,000 from Fannie Mae.
There are three ways to help:
1. Host a mini-walk at your workplace or school, or in your neighborhood, faith community, club or sports team, or civic organization, any time between now and November 6th. Our staff is available to help you plan and hold a successful event. Contact Mary Supley Foxworth at 703-352-6342 or msupleyfoxworth@facetscares.org.
2. Register for the Help the Homeless Walkathon on Saturday, November 19th, 9 AM. Register on-site or go online to www.helpthehomelessdc.org to pre-register. Please select FACETS (code VA015) as the beneficiary organization. If you're unable to attend but would like to help us reach our goal, you can register online as a virtual walker!
3. Make a donation to help pay the registration fees for our clients who are willing to volunteer their time and walk with our supporters but without sufficient funds to pay the registration fees. Your donation will ensure they can participate, too, and will help FACETS meet its goal for the number of registered walkers. Send your donation, made payable to Help the Homeless/CFNCR, to FACETS, Attention: Help the Homeless, 10640 Page Avenue, Suite 300, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. |
|
