When many of Capital Caring’s hundreds of volunteers tell people that they spend their free time helping to care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, they often get three typical reactions:   

1)           “Oh, my gosh, you are such a good person.”  This is usually said with a heavy accent on the word “good,” and sometimes paired with a facial expression of awe normally saved for visitors potentially just arrived by UFO.

Jane Franklin Dance, an Arlington based nonprofit arts organization, offers Summer Camps that explore movement, visual art and theatre. By the end of each week, campers put on show for friends and family to highlight an imagined Road Trip of camping, beach-going, exploring the artic or the ocean; or a specific adventure with a favorite feline or Fido.

RSVP-Northern Virginia volunteer Gordon Hay says he was at a loss when he retired, regarding where to find volunteer opportunities. "I will never forget my first phone call to RSVP in 2012," says Gordon, a Falls Church resident who now volunteers for two of RSVP nonprofit partners, Capital Caring in Arlington and The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, based in Falls Church.

By Eileen Conoboy

Acting Director, CNCS, AmeriCorps VISTA

By Natalie Roisman, Co-Leader, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Arlington Area Chapter

How insightful is Sandra Osorio-Rojas in understanding the best way to learn about your new hometown is through volunteering?

When KEEN Greater DC (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) announced it would launch its KEEN Sports program for children with developmental and physical disabilities in Arlington in May 2017, volunteer Michele Doyle said she’d help make it a success. As a busy professional, Michele has been balancing work, family and life demands with volunteering for more than 11 years. Michele began volunteering with KEEN in September 2006, and after her first sessions, she was hooked!