News and Information
May 8, 2024
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services honored volunteers at the 2024 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at The Westin Tysons Corner.
More than 150 volunteers and Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn attended the breakfast ceremony. Dranesville Supervisor James Bierman and NCS Director Lloyd Tucker gave remarks. NCS South County Senior Center Director Sharnel Jones served as emcee at the event, which returned to an in-person gathering for the first time since 2019.
"We are proud of the direct service our volunteers provide in the form of food box distribution, meal service, translation assistance, social visits, vaccination clinic support, and other services at our senior centers, community centers and teen centers," said Tucker. "More than 90 percent of our volunteers say they feel their service makes a difference."
There were four volunteers/groups that received Volunteer of the Year awards:
Teen Volunteer: Patrick Livingston, for his work with Therapeutic Recreation Services.
Group Volunteers: Sahas Rajeshirke and Soham Rajeshirke, for teaching coding to children at Mott Community Center.
Senior Center Participant Volunteer: Lougenia Carnell, for volunteering at Little River Glen Senior Center.
Adult Volunteer: Nancy Bloomfield, for teaching Spanish dance classes at Herndon Senior Center.
See the Flickr album with photos from the event. For NCS volunteer opportunities, visit the NCS Volunteers Page.
Watch this Fairfax Channel 16 video about NCS volunteers:
May 1, 2024
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed May 2024 Early Intervention Month in Fairfax County. The proclamation says the children of Fairfax County are among our most valuable and vulnerable residents, and they require and deserve proper care and attention, and that it is crucial that these children receive immediate support and services.
NCS' Infant and Toddler Connection (ITC) is the program that identifies and aids children up to age 3 with developmental delays or a diagnosed condition that may lead to a developmental delay. ITC provides early intervention services to more than 4,400 infants and toddlers annually.
After an Assessment for Services Planning Meeting, ITC’s service coordinators and therapists develop an Individualized Family Service Plan. The team and the family work together, usually in the family's home and in the context of a family’s daily activities.
“ITC has a wide range of professionals and services, from occupational therapy to speech therapy, nutrition services to developmental activities, said Susan Sigler, NCS Director of Inclusive Support Services. “It is so gratifying to see children's progress.”
Recently, an ITC team visited the Falls Church home of Wendy Mendez-Cortez, a repeat client of ITC. Mendez-Cortez’ son was born very prematurely at 24 weeks gestation. After receiving services from ITC, he transitioned to Fairfax County Public Schools. Last fall, Mendez-Cortez gave birth to a daughter eight weeks prematurely. She knew that she could reach out to ITC again for support. ITC’s multidisciplinary team is working with Mendez-Cortez and her baby on various skills.
“It is very helpful for them to come to the house,” Mendez-Cortez said. “I feel very supported. I did not know how to hold the baby. The therapists have different ideas for me.”
To learn more about ITC and its services, visit NCS’ ITC page.
To see the Board of Supervisors Proclamation, click here.
May 3, 2024
Gum Springs Community Center Senior Program participant Vivian Brown, 83, was honored at the third annual Privilege Award and Community Recognition Celebration on April 14, 2024, at George Mason University in Fairfax.
Brown was given the 2024 President's Privilege Award at the event, sponsored by the Bernie L. Bates Foundation, Inc. The foundation is a non-profit part of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter. The awards are given to Fairfax County community members (staffers, donors or volunteers) whose gifts of time, expertise and resources have significant and positive impact.
"Ever since Vivian Brown joined the Gum Springs Community Center Senior Program 10 years ago, she has been committed to serving the community," said Gum Springs Community Center Program Director Ty Abilla. "Every year, in preparation for winter, she crochets hats in her own time and donates them to those in need. Countless number of community members have been uplifted by her act of kindness. She is a gem and exemplifies the true meaning of leadership in the community."
Abilla says Brown is a highly dependable volunteer at the Alexandria community center.
"Whether it is our annual back-to-school event, community Thanksgiving dinner, Safe Night Out or toy drive, Vivian is always there during all phases of the planning process, before, during and after. You can always catch her in action setting up and providing her decorative touch to the overall look and feel of each event."
Brown has been a part of the Gum Springs Community Center Advisory Board for five years, gathering the thoughts and concerns of the community and providing her strategic advice to senior management, said Abilla. She also is a member of The Saunders B. Moon Community Action Association, where she assists with coordinating trips, curating community outreach efforts, and donating money towards meaningful causes.