VEFC’s mission is helping children and youth in crisis. VEFC recruits, trains and supports volunteers who provide short-term shelter care and mentoring to abused, neglected, runaway, homeless, and at-risk children and youth throughout Virginia.

VEFC is committed to the philosophy that a child’s needs are best met with a caring and loving family. We very much value the dedication and commitment to excellence provided by volunteers, families, churches, partner agencies, staff, and our Board on behalf of children and youth, as well as the many friends, contributors and sponsors who also believe in and support our mission.

VEFC is a caring interfaith outreach which links various segments of local communities with public agencies, all of whom care about the needs, problems, and circumstances of children and youth.

VEFC strives to be the best at what we do. Continuous improvement of programs and services is essential, and we seek to responsively meet the unique needs of each affiliated region and community in the state-wide network.

VEFC values developing good relationships at every level through meaningful and effective communication and a genuine caring for each individual.

VEFC is committed to helping families stay together whenever possible and, through preventive respite care and mentoring, encourages strong individual and family development and relationships.

VEFC values youth as resources and promotes youth development at all levels.

Children and youth are the focal point of all we do. Community human services agencies are valued as partners. Local churches and congregations are the foundation of our outreach ministry to children and youth.

Volunteers are recruited, trained, and maintained within local communities. Volunteer families and individuals working with children and youth participate in pre-service training and on-going in-service training, and complete the required approval process.

Communities determine the best types of shelter care or mentoring services to meet the needs of their children and youth. Volunteers serve without financial compensation. Staff models excellence in all phases of their work, meets professional standards of competency, and works in compliance with state law. The highest levels of excellence, professionalism, and accountability will be expected by all staff and volunteers.

VEFC Board of Directors and Staff have developed five primary goals to help achieve success throughout VEFC’s growing statewide network:

• Goal 1.) Quality Service Delivery: Provide quality training and support, and encourage commitment from volunteers, local program leaders, partner agencies and the community at large who together will reach out to serve children and youth.
• Goal 2.) Leadership Development: Ensure broad-based and diverse leadership at every level throughout the VEFC network. Provide opportunities for meaningful training, leadership development, and professional growth.
• Goal 3.) Funding and Resource Development: Secure sustaining funding and other resources to fully support and expand programs to meet the growing needs of children and youth in their own communities.
• Goal 4.) Public Awareness: Develop and implement local, statewide, and national public awareness programs highlighting the mission of VEFC as well as local community needs of children and youth, encouraging strong grass-roots volunteer participation at all levels.
• Goal 5.) Advocacy: Network and collaborate with other programs and agencies to serve as national, statewide, and local advocates and resouces for issues affecting children and youth.

VEFC "You Make a Difference Award"

VEFC Family Receives FACT Award

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