June 29, 2023, Sterling, VA – This week 28 nonprofit members of the Loudoun Human Services Network, Loudoun County human service departments, and the Community Foundation joined forces to hold a Family Resource Fair connecting local families with services.
In early June, local nonprofit INMED Partnerships for Children announced the sudden closure of their Family Opportunity Center in Sterling. Members of the Loudoun Human Services Network, a coalition of 50 human services nonprofits serving Loudoun, quickly convened to brainstorm ways they can work together to ensure families served by INMED still had access to services. As a result, the LHSN planned a Family Resources Fair held on June 28 at Women Giving Back.
More than 138 families attended the fair, where nonprofits provided resource guides, opportunities to register for services, and items for families in need. Women Giving Back hosted the event at their Sterling location, providing families an opportunity to receive diapers and clothing through their clothing boutique. Loudoun Hunger Relief distributed 1,100 pounds of fresh produce from JK Community Farm and Piedmont Environmental Council’s Roundabout Meadows Community Farm to families in attendance. Pizza, pupusas, and snow cones were provided by LHSN and children’s games and activities were provided by 60 Women Giving Back volunteers.
“We wanted to show the families that our organizations are here for them, and make it a fun experience,” said Valerie Pisierra, chair of the LHSN and Executive Director of Loudoun Cares. “It’s important that all of the families know how to connect with our nonprofits when they need help. I’m proud of our nonprofit community for coming together so quickly to plan this event in less than three weeks!”
Families attending the fair also connected with “Transition Navigators”. This team consists of four former INMED staff recently hired by Northern Virginia Family Service in contract roles, with funding from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation and 100WomenStrong, a fund of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. This team will work with families throughout the summer to evaluate current and future needs and assist with resource planning.
“When we were invited to be part of the transition team, our goal was for families participating in all INMED programs to connect with county organizations and continue to receive the necessary help in different areas such as: food, clothing, help financial support and the educational program that were provided. Making this contact with the families was really incredible, some of the families are our neighbors, they attend the church where we participate, or they participate in some community activity. The whole team began to contact the families and the voice spread with 138 families attending this event. It was amazing!” Eva Maria Torres Herrera, Transition Navigator.
“Supporting local families and connecting them to the services they need to thrive is at the heart of what we do at Northern Virginia Family Service,” said Stephanie Berkowitz, president and CEO of Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS). “We are proud to stand alongside this vibrant group of partners as we collaboratively meet the critical needs of families in Loudoun County.”
About Loudoun Human Services Network
The Loudoun Human Services Network is a coalition of approximately 50 nonprofit human services providers serving families in Loudoun County. The mission of the Loudoun Human Services Network is to work together through advocacy and collaboration to ensure the availability and access to human services for Loudoun County residents. The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is a proud member of the LHSN. To learn more, visit: loudounhumanservicesnetwork.org.
