FACETS Current Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with FACETS! If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to look over the “Volunteering with FACETS Q&A” document. It provides useful information about how to begin volunteering with us, such as how to choose an opportunity to downloading a volunteer application. If you are ready to find-out about current FACETS volunteer opportunities, please read this document and contact the volunteer manager, with any questions (volunteer@facetscares.org, 703-352-3268). We encourage you to read this document in full to learn about all the current available opportunities, but we offer the below questions for consideration if you are having difficulty determining which volunteer opportunity to pursue:

• Not a lot of time, but you still would like to help? Consider holding a DRIVE for needed goods.
• Have time to volunteer but not on a regular basis? Consider one of our SPECIAL PROGRAMS.
• Interested in volunteering on a regular basis for 6 months or longer assisting youth and/or adults? Consider our HIS AND FES OPPORTUNITIES.
• Interested in volunteering in an office setting helping with tasks ranging from receptionist coverage to assisting with our on-site pantry? Consider our OFFICE OPPORTUNITIES.
• Part of a group that is interested in volunteering together for FACETS? Consider some GROUP PROJECTS.
• Current college student looking for a site for a service learning class, internship, or a summer opportunity? We have many STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Suggested Drives
Want to assist FACETS in helping the local homeless, but aren’t able to volunteer? If so, please consider holding a drive for needed goods. Please click here to see our pantry "Wish List”, as well as donation guidelines and donation drop-off hours.

Special Programs
There are several special events coming up in April. Please keep checking back for more details on how to get involved!

Homeless Intervention Services and Family Enrichment Services Volunteer Opportunities
Homeless Intervention Services (HIS) Volunteer Opportunities
These opportunities are open on an on-going basis, so please contact us if you would like to volunteer.

• Mentors needed to provide friendship and support with goal setting, decision-making, budgeting and other life skills for client families in our Supportive Housing and motel programs. Volunteers must be 21 or older and willing to make a commitment for two years for Supportive Housing clients, but shorter-term mentoring relationships are possible for motel program clients.
• On-Call Drivers needed, weekdays and evenings, to drive FACETS' clients to appointments and other service providers (i.e.: off-site food pantries and clothing closets). HIS social workers will contact interested drivers directly for availability with driving assistance. Volunteers must be 21 or older, have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a good driving record.
• Childcare/Babysitter Volunteers needed to assist with childcare needs of clients, particularly families in our Transitional Housing program, during the week (weekdays and evenings). Volunteers must be 18 or older.
• Mobile Resource Center Drivers needed on Thursdays to drive the FACETS “Mobile Resources Center” RV that visits two local motels in Fairfax (training provided). Volunteers must be 21 or older, have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a good driving record.
• On-Call Translators needed to assist in translating needs of clients who do not speak English (various languages needed). Volunteers must be 18 years old or older.
• Recreational Activities are needed for our motel families. If you or your faith organization plans regular recreational activities (game nights, movie nights, etc.) that our client families/children could be a part of, please contact us to discuss options.
  

Family Enrichment Services (FES) Volunteer Opportunities
Programs generally start and end following a school-year calendar (Spring, Summer, Fall) and require volunteers to be 18+ or 21+ years of age, and able to make a commitment of one hour a week for six months to one year, depending on the program. Programs are run at centers located in Fairfax City (near GMU), Fairfax (near Fair Oaks Mall), and Centreville (near Centreville Library); the centers are Robinson Square (RS), Ragan Oaks (RO), and Barros Circle (BC), respectively.

Description Of On-going Opportunities -all centers, various times

• Youth/Adult Tutors needed to assist students/adults one-to-one with homework, school projects, exam preparation, citizenship test, etc. Volunteers must be 21 or older and able to make a commitment for at least one year.
  
• Youth/Adult Mentors needed to provide youth (ages 6-16) support, guidance, friendship and positive role models through one-to-one activities, listening, caring and problem solving. For adults, mentors needed to provide friendship and support with goal setting, decision-making, budgeting and other life skills. Volunteers must be 21 or older and able to make a commitment for at least one year.
  
• Computer Lab Volunteers needed to supervise Neighborhood Computer “Open Labs”. The lab is open to teens and adults who live in the public housing neighborhoods. Residents do their own work during Open Labs; volunteers are responsible for opening the lab, tracking participation, monitoring content of residents' computer work to ensure community-environment is preserved, answering technical questions and closing the lab and community center for the night. Volunteers must be 21 or older.
  
• Homework Hotspots assist youth with homework assignments, projects and test preparation in small groups. Minimum volunteer requirement: one hour per week. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
  
• Exploring the Arts lead or assist with programming involving fine arts, film, creative writing, music, dance and drama. Minimum volunteer requirement: one hour per week plus planning for lead volunteer. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

• Reading Program Volunteers needed to help prepare & co-lead a summer educational/enrichment programs (Passport to Fun/World Adventure) for young students. Curriculum is provided. Experience working with elementary school-aged children preferred. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
  
• Enrichment Volunteers are needed to lead/supervise enrichment programs for youth. Activities like career exploration, movie time, cooking and measuring, etc. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
  
• Recreational Volunteers are needed to lead/supervise fitness activities (basketball programs, outdoor games, etc.) for elementary students and/or teens. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
  
• Sewing instructor is needed to teach basic sewing to adults and teens. Sewing project should be simple, like pillow or tote bag. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
  
• Computer Lab Volunteers needed to supervise Neighborhood Computer “Open Labs” in public housing communities. The lab is open to teens and adults who live in the public housing neighborhoods. Residents do their own work during Open Labs; volunteers are responsible for opening the lab, tracking participation, monitoring content of residents' computer work to ensure community-environment is preserved, answering technical questions and closing the lab and community center for the night. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
  
• Field Trip Chaperones needed to help supervise youth and/or teens for various educational field trips. Help is also needed with planning and researching appropriate activities, as well as possibly driving. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to chaperone, 21 or older to drive.

FACETS General Office Volunteer Opportunities
These opportunities are open on an on-going basis, so please contact us if you would like to volunteer.

• Office Volunteers needed for various office duties. Projects can involve development/fundraising, volunteer cultivation, receptionist coverage, etc., depending on volunteer's skills, interests, and availability. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
  
• Storage Help needed to keep the on-site food and hygiene items pantry organized. Volunteers must be 15 years or older.
  
• Translators needed to assist in converting English-language documents into other languages (various languages needed). Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
  
• Van Maintenance Volunteer needed to drive FACETS vans to service garage, etc. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a good driving record.

Group Volunteers
We encourage group volunteers to contact us to discuss project ideas. Currently, we are exploring the idea of groups “adopting” a program or drive. A program adoption would entail a group providing volunteers for a specific program, such as “Homework Hotspots” at our Ragan Oaks facility for one night a week for at least one season (generally, six months). A drive adoption would entail a group adopting a month of the year to collect specific items, such as diapers, for the FACETS on-site pantry. We have also worked with group volunteers that design special projects to benefit our clients who are on wait-lists for shelters, such as taking families to the movies or out to eat. We also encourage group volunteers to consider assisting with FACETS’ special events, such as our May breakfast and annual auction in November. Group volunteers will be required to submit paperwork, but what and how much is dependant upon the project.

Student Opportunities
If you are a current college student looking for a site for a service learning class or an internship, please contact us. Students majoring in social work, human services, education, psychology, and early childhood development have many opportunities to apply their knowledge from their coursework if they come to FACETS. We are also open to other majors, so please contact us for details.

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