When a toddler entered foster care due to his parents’ domestic violence and substance abuse, he received the therapeutic interventions he needed to address his developmental delays. Meanwhile, his mother began making the changes she needed to set them on a path to reunification. Learn more.

Holidays do not have to be wasteful, stressful and expensive at the time when we need to be more aware of the world around us. We repeat these wasteful habits because we are in a hurry and feeling overwhelmed by everything that must get done, but that does not have to be our holiday. We can be more mindful about how we do holidays. All it takes is wanting to make a change. Learn tips for creating a more sustainable holiday in the December issue of the Golden Gazette.

A common belief is that domestic violence increases during the holidays because folks drink more alcohol and experience more stress around expectations and finances. On this throwback episode of Unscripted, Melody Vielbig, clinical services program manager in Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, and Jamie Milloy, director of programs at OAR NOVA, break down this perception and share relationship first aid tips for the holidays.

If you’re applying for or renewing your SNAP benefits, make sure you provide proof of certain expenses to get the correct amount of SNAP benefits. Without proof, expenses can’t be counted, which may lower your benefits. Examples include receipts for childcare costs, rent, utilities, medical bills, or insurance premiums. You can help make sure you get the right benefit at the right time. Learn more about what to provide and how to send documents.

Giving back to your community isn’t just for the holiday season! Get involved during the upcoming tax season as a volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program helps households who made less than $69,000 in 2025 prepare tax returns and maximize refunds and tax credits. Volunteers needed to act as greeters, interpreters, screeners, and tax preparers. No prior experience is necessary! Free in-person training is available for screeners and tax preparers. Watch the video about the VITA program and register to volunteer.

If you or someone you love has experienced sexual trauma, you may be feeling a wide range of emotions, including fear, anger, sadness, overwhelm, or confusion. While these emotional responses are quite normal, they can also feel very distressing. Survivors of sexual trauma deserve and need safe spaces and healthy relationships where they feel supported and heard as they begin to understand and heal from their trauma. Learn more about where to turn for help.

April, a 14-year resident of Springfield, started volunteering with Parenting Education Programs in fall 2024. Since then, she has supported several classes including a Spanish-speaking class and an African American culturally focused class. April believes that every child needs multiple caring adults in their lives, and she is excited to be one for the children in PEP classes. April brings her infectious positive energy to every class. She even brings her own young daughters to class. April considers it an opportunity to model positivity and teach them to be confident members of their family, classroom, and community. If you want to help families relate to each other better, please apply online, email, or call 703-324-7720 to attend our next co-facilitator training on Jan. 10.