Neighborhood and Community Services

Front Row: Jacob Berenbroick, NCS Community Developer; Nandred Navarro, NCS Community of Practice Manager; Jeff McKay, Chair, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Dr. Sabrina B. Ricks, PhD, Associate Professor, Northern Virginia Community College; Chris Scales, NCS Division Director; Dalia Palchik, Providence District Rep, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Paul Woods, NCS Community Developer; Lloyd Tucker, NCS Director; Ramona Carroll, NCS Equity Program Manager; Aimee Garcia, NCS Division Director; Toiya Godfrey, NCS Community Developer; Pallas Washington, NCS Deputy Director; Olga Carrillo, NCS Community Developer; and NCS Katina Matthews, Social Impact Manager. Back Row Standing: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors: Pat Herrity (Springfield); Dan Storck (Mt. Vernon); Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill); Kathy Smith (Sully); James Bierman (Dranesville); James Walkinshaw (Braddock); Rodney Lusk (Franconia); and Andres Jimenez (Mason). Please click photo for high-resolution image.   The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Jan. 21, 2025, as a Day of Racial Healing in Fairfax County. Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services Director Lloyd Tucker accepted the proclamation at the Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. The Day of Racial Healing, a national effort since 2017, focuses on the commitment to promote racial healing, transform communities and build social capital. Locally, NCS pairs with Northern Virginia Community College’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center (TRHTC) to work toward a collective mission for the racial healing and trust-building necessary to achieve transformational changes in policy and practices. The longstanding partnership with TRHTC is ongoing, with the aim to address racial healing through economic mobility, education, community diversification and building social capital. “Systemic racism in our institutions and communities remains a challenge, but NCS is resolved to finding solutions,” Tucker said in his remarks. “NCS is unequivocally committed to equity through Fairfax County’s One Fairfax policy, and through our own Mission, Vision and Values. Partnering with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) shows the commitment of both of our organizations to the National Day of Racial Healing.” To learn more about racial healing and learn how you can take action, visit the National Day of Racial Healing website or find a local event in your neighborhood:   Ongoing throughout January: Events at NCS Centers NCS' trained staff members will support NCS programs and activities across the county to promote racial healing in our community, including facilitated discussions, documentary screenings and lunch and learn sessions at NCS Community, Senior and Teen Centers. Find out about activities near you by contacting your local center directly: Find NCS Facilities   Friday, Jan. 17:  Racial Healing Month - Teen Night Event (Sully Community Center) Teens are invited to promote unity through engagement with peers, games, on-topic books and light refreshments at Sully Community Center. Presented by NCS in partnership with Fairfax County Public Library. This event is free.  See flyer for more info.     Wednesday, Jan. 22: Community Conversation: Responding to Our Community's Mental Health Challenges: A Role for Volunteering (Virtual) As members of the community and volunteer engagement leaders, do we just need to add, adjust, prioritize or think differently about how we address our volunteer opportunities to support the community’s mental health? Join an online community conversation presented by Volunteer Fairfax. More info: 2025 Community Conversation - Responding to Our Community’s Mental Health Challenges: A Role for Volunteering     Saturday, Jan. 25: Truth in Voice, Truth in Service (Jim Scott Community Center) In honor of National Day of Racial Healing, youth in 7th-12th grades are invited to Jim Scott Community Center to promote unity through engagement and community service activities. The event includes community projects, youth dialogues, live music, resource tables, food and more. Breakout sessions will be facilitated by NOVA, The Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center and NCS’ staff. Registration is required. To register and request transportation, contact your local NCS Teen Center or Community Center. More info: Truth in Voice, Truth in Service   Please note that the webinar scheduled for January 22 has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts; a new spring date will be announced.     

The buses are fueled and ready to roll as Stuff the Bus — Fairfax County’s post-holiday food drive, now in its 15th year —hits the road in the fight against hunger in Fairfax County.  Beginning on Jan. 18, 2025 and continuing weekly over the course of several weeks, Fastran buses will visit local grocery stores to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries. For the list of the locations and most requested items, please visit Stuff the Bus.     Donations will benefit multiple organizations including: Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) Britepaths The Committee for Helping Others (CHO) Cornerstones Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO) Falls Church Community Service Council (FCCSC) Food for Others Link Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) SHARE of McLean United Community Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) Since launching in 2011, the campaign has collected more than 240 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. Statistics show the need for food is great, and demand only becomes more acute during the winter months. In Fairfax County, more than 68,000 people live below the federal poverty level and about 5 percent of the county’s population, or more than 60,000 people, access the federal SNAP program for food assistance. Donation hours vary by location. For more details, visit Stuff the Bus.