Ventures in Community - VIC

02/17/2026

Free webinar organized by the Georgetown University Center on Faith + Justice:

"Know Your Rights: Faith Leaders & Law Enforcement"

Thursday, Feb. 19
2 - 3 pm ET

Register at link in Comments 👇 for more info and the link.

Faith leaders are increasingly finding themselves navigating interactions with law enforcement — at houses of worship, during pastoral care, at public witness events, or in moments of crisis. This training will equip clergy and faith leaders with a clear understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities when engaging with law enforcement agents, whether ICE, local police, or the National Guard.

Offered jointly by the Center on Faith and Justice, the ACLU, Democracy 2025, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection, Democracy Security Project, and the NGO Solidarity Network, this webinar will provide practical guidance on what to expect, how to respond, and how to protect both yourself and your community — grounded in current law and real-world scenarios. The training will also address best practices for preparedness, de-escalation, and faithful public witness in challenging moments.

* Please share with your networks *

02/17/2026

An invitation from the Northern Virginia Baha'i Center in Sterling:

"The Black Experience in America from Slavery to the Present: Through Poetry, Story, and Song" | Sponsored by The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Montgomery County South (MD).

In honor of Black History Month, we warmly invite you to a meaningful and artistic program exploring The Black Experience in America. Through poetry, storytelling, and music, this gathering reflects on the trials, triumphs, resilience, and enduring contributions of Black Americans from the time of slavery to today.

This program offers a special opportunity for the Bahá’í community to demonstrate its deep commitment to racial justice, unity, and healing — principles at the heart of building a more just and loving society.

Location: Northern Virginia Bahá’í Center, 21415 Cardinal Glen Circle, Sterling, VA 20164
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 7pm

All are welcome to attend and participate in this spirit of reflection, learning, and fellowship.

02/15/2026

https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/02/12/fairfax-county-leaders-pledge-more-outreach-after-rare-panhandling-survey/

Fairfax County officials are pledging more outreach in their efforts connecting panhandlers with services to stabilize their lives and get them off the streets. "We want to drive people who have need to organizations that can help," Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said at a Feb. 10 meeting of....

02/15/2026

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Verdia Lee Haywood, Deputy County Executive for Fairfax County Human Services and the visionary architect of our Health and Human Services System.

A champion for equity and community-centered leadership, Mr. Haywood’s impact continues to shape Fairfax County in profound ways. Leadership Fairfax was honored to recognize him as the first recipient of the Kate Handley Award in 2006 — a reflection of his lifelong commitment to service and inclusion.

We remain committed to carrying forward his legacy through our Inclusive Leadership Institute (ILI), which deepens leaders’ understanding of the historical foundations and lasting consequences of racism within systems and across the Fairfax County community.

His work lives on in the leaders we develop and the community we continue to build.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his honor to the Leadership Fairfax Inclusive Leadership Institute: https://www.leadershipfairfax.org/in-honor-of-verdia-lee-haywood

02/05/2026

Thank you to our hosts Washington Farm United Methodist Church (including the delucious lunch!), our speaker community advocate Mary Paden, and to everyone who came out on yesterday to participate in an engaging discussion at our VIC Monthly Mtng 2/4: "Strategy for Advocates". Our next meeting will be Wednesday, March 4 .

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02/05/2026

Official Page of Walk for Peace, the 109-day, 2,300-mile journey by Buddhist monks — with loyal dog, Aloka — walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of peace, loving-kindness and mindfulness across America and the world. 🙏

10/02/2025

🌟 Join the Rising Hope Board! 🌟

We’re building our next class of board members and are looking for passionate individuals who want to help guide Rising Hope’s mission of serving those experiencing the crisis of poverty or homelessness in our community.

If you are interested in making a difference and lending your time, talents, and leadership, please fill out our Board Interest Form today.

👉 https://bit.ly/RHBoard

Together, we can continue to bring hope and create lasting impact along the Route 1 corridor. 💙