• NVFS Works to Address the Effects of Domestic Violence and Prevent Reoccurrences 
• NVFS to Present at Panel for Identifying and Responding to Signs of Domestic Violence
  
• Recognizing Workplaces That Recognize Work-Life Balance 
• Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer in Your Community 
• Making a Lasting Difference to Your Community 
• Top Volunteer and Item Needs 

• NVFS Home Page
• About NVFS

Domestic violence and its effects come in many forms. Because NVFS’ mission is to empower people at every level at which they need help, domestic violence victims such as Alma, Lily and Annie have all found stability and family self-sufficiency.

Alma was physically abused by her partner for more than a decade, but when that abuse spread to her children, Alma immediately called the police. NVFS connected Alma with a domestic violence support group, mental health services and legal services. Today, Alma works full time to support her family, and her oldest son has graduated from high school.

Lily’s mother left her when she was 6 in the care of another family, who abused her. With the support of Healthy Families, she has overcome her deep-seated anxiety that someone will take away her daughter and has build a strong attachment with her. “Lily is very devoted to the baby,” says Doris, her family support worker. “She tries to give the baby all the love that she didn’t have.”

Annie was referred to NVFS’ Violence, Prevention and Intervention Program (VPIP) after she was sexually assaulted by her babysitter’s husband. Annie was struggling in school, and her family was struggling financially; Annie’s mother worked few hours as she was scared to employ a babysitter again. VPIP provided Annie’s mother with referrals for both food assistance and NVFS’ entrepreneurship program, Escala. By the end of VPIP services, Annie was doing well academically and eagerly sharing her accomplishments in school, swimming and soccer. And thanks to Escala, Annie’s mother is starting her own home cleaning business.

NVFS offers several programs for directly addressing domestic violence – a batterer’s intervention program, domestic violence support groups, children’s group for witnesses of domestic violence, and individual counseling – in addition to the breadth of NVFS services available to all NVFS clients to help them improve their quality of life and provide them with a path to self-sufficiency.
 

Domestic violence often directly results in visits to physicians and emergency rooms, but potential signs of abuse can also be identified by trained healthcare providers during a routine visit.

Healthcare providers, in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, can join us at Community Connections – Powerful Partnerships to Improve Patient Care to learn how you can identify and refer patients in need to available resources and services. This panel event is on Monday, Oct. 31, at Virginia Hospital Center.

Imagine an award designed to recognize workplaces that deeply value great culture, work-life policies and community impact.

16 Northern Virginia companies will be honored for exactly that with a CARE Award. After an intensive application process that started in the spring, these companies will be celebrated at the CARE Awards Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 18, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Join us for a celebration of best company practices along with networking, coffee/tea and breakfast!

Dinnah Ndahiriwe was astonished and elated when her NVFS caseworker appeared at her door with holiday gifts for her three children. The family had recently been accepted into the Bridging Affordability housing program, and was thrilled to have stable and affordable housing. “I just cried when we got the gifts,” shared Ndahiriwe. “My kids thought Mrs. Santa had arrived!”

Spreading holiday cheer can be one of the best ways to celebrate the holiday season. Learn more about NVFS’ holiday giving opportunities: Operation Turkey, Giving Tuesday and Gifting for Families!

Looking for a way to involve and engage your whole family – at any age – in giving back to the community? The Village of Impact provides Northern Virginia families with meaningful opportunities to engage in service together, learn about critical local needs and generate funds to help the vulnerable in our community. Learn more about becoming an annual member.

You can also make a difference month by month. Community Sustainers make a monthly investment in the Northern Virginia community, providing more than 34,000 individuals and families with services that move them from critical to stable to thriving. As a Community Sustainer, you are always making a difference. Learn more about how you can help more of your vulnerable neighbors become stable and self-sufficient every month.

Want to make a difference this weekend? You’re in luck: This Saturday, Oct. 22, is national Make a Difference Day! NVFS has a variety of service opportunities, including the option to be a master organizer, salesperson or customer service rep at NVFS’ Fall Yard Sale in Falls Church. (All proceeds benefit NVFS.)

Read more about them here, along with other opportunities to assist NVFS throughout the fall and winter.

This month, our community’s top item needs include paper products for the kitchen at Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter and new bed pillows for the family shelter at SERVE. Read more for dozens of further donation opportunities!