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Linda Johnson

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1 reviews

Review for SCAN of Northern Virginia, Inc., Alexandria, VA, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

SCAN is a top-notch provider of 3 avenues for halting child abuse and neglect: 1. the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA); 2. public education; and 3. parent education. I have been a CASA volunteer for 11 years. Initially, I was trained by SCAN staff and subject-matter experts it brought in. In one instance, this superb training enabled me to track down a CASA child as her drug-addicted mom moved her from place to place to avoid the social workers and the courts. In another instance, encouragement from my CASA supervisor gave me the determination to keep calling a pediatrician's office until--after about 15 calls-- she finally spoke with me about about a 6-year-old boy whose drug-addicted mom claimed he was too chronically ill to attend school. (The doctor said he certainly could go to school.)

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

In Alexandria Family Drug Treatment Court, I have heard very young mothers testify about how much they learned from SCAN's parenting classes and how they are now treating their children differently. Some of my CASA colleagues and I share stories about families we have worked with and how most children are better off because we were in their lives, successfully advocating for services they needed. We could not have done this without the unwavering support and advice of SCAN staff.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Increase its funding. SCAN has well-educated, highly skilled, and unbelievably dedicated staff members who could easily make more money elsewhere. I think we should compensate them adequately for their expertise and their unlimited service to the families and children of Alexandria.

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Life-changing

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?

Nothing! SCAN knows what it is doing, works tirelessly, knows how to encourage its volunteers, and continues to improve the lives of neglected and abused children.

Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)

Being a CASA has shown me how persistence pays off and how lucky I was to be raised by caring parents in a safe and stable home. Also, I have developed friendships with a number of wonderful volunteers.

How did this volunteer experience make you feel?

Pleased that I can contribute to the well-being of the City's most vulnerable children.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2011

Role:  Volunteer & My efforts were instrumental in moving the first child to her grandmother's safe and stable home so that she could attend one school all year. In the other case, the information I received from the pediatrican built a case of educational neglect and the.
 
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