The Open Door
July 2019
SUMMER AT FACETS
Summer brings new challenges for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, poverty and hunger. This past month our clients have been battling the heat and the punishing rain storms that have buffeted Fairfax County this summer.

Imagine what it would be like to watch your tent and all your possessions wash away in the blinding rain…when you have so little, every single thing is so important. We reached out on social media to ask if folks might have camping supplies they could share…and so many of you answered our call!

 We would like to thank everyone who dropped off tents, sleeping bags and other camping supplies to help our neighbors in need rebuild their lives as we work with them to move from homeless to “home.”
GIANA KICKS OFF OUR BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE WITH 104 BACKPACKS!!!
Last summer Gianna found out about our Back to School Supplies Drive and wanted to help. She and her mom brought in some back packs and supplies, and Gianna decided that this summer she would bring us 100 backpacks. She fundraised with family and friends, sharing how important it is for every child to go back to school with everything they need for a great year. Gianna organized a family yard sale with the proceeds going to her backpack drive…but 100 backpacks is a LOT of backpacks…would she make it to 100??? 

The answer is a resounding “YES!” Gianna and her mom were the first people to drop off school supplies to FACETS and there were big smiles all around as Gianna shared that she had brought us 104 backpacks!!!

We are deeply grateful to Gianna for starting off our back to school supplies drive with such a large donation! There’s still lots of time for you to join Gianna in making a difference in the lives of the children we serve. We will need approximately 400 backpacks, and all the supplies, so the children can fill them with all the items on their school list and we could really use your help!

You will find our supplies wish list HERE . You may drop off school supplies at our FACETS Main Office, 10700 Page Avenue, Building “B”, Fairfax, Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm. Or, go to our Amazon Wish List HERE . shop online and have the items delivered to our main office. When ordering from Amazon you can make your donation go even further by using our Amazon Smile link HERE . FACETS will receive a portion of your purchase with every click!

On behalf of every child at our 4 community centers and the families at our Next Steps family shelter…thank you!
REINVENTING GEOSPATIAL REINVENTS VOLUNTEERING AT OUR HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION CENTERS
The weather outside is blistering hot, but it won’t be long before we are opening the doors to another season of our Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program. We wanted to share how one company made a life changing impact through volunteering at our Hypothermia Prevention Centers for the past two years.

In 2017, Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGI) began its relationship with FACETS Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program. In addition to supporting our efforts to provide shelter for those in need during the winter months, RGI saw a unique opportunity to add an educational element to the program.

For the past two years, RGI volunteers have offered our shelter guests instruction in basic computer skills training or assistance in the search for a new job. RGI went the extra mile and purchased new laptops to support the effort and developed a standard curriculum, including resume development, which RGI volunteers teach to shelter guests.

When asked why she volunteers, Mary Carome of RGI responds “I volunteer at the Hypothermia Clinics because I want to support FACETS and the people they help. I love that FACETS helps people with the immediate effects of poverty as well as working towards a long-term solution. I hope that by coming to the Hypothermia Clinics and providing computer training and resume help we are giving our guest skills that will help them today and for the rest of their life.”

We are deeply grateful to the whole team at Reinventing Geospatial for their kindness and commitment to the people we serve. 

If your company would like to volunteer with FACETS, whether it’s a “day of service” project or an ongoing volunteer opportunity, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Lauren Scheinert at [email protected]
Corporate Sponsorship is a great way to support our life changing work while promoting your business! There are great “A Very Special Taste of Fall Gala” sponsorships available, contact Brenda Dushko at [email protected] to discuss the perfect fit for your business.