This week's Nonprofit Spotlight is shining on SCAN of Northern Virginia!

What is SCAN?

SCAN of Northern Virginia is an organization that serves Alexandria's most vulnerable children: those that are and have been abused. It has formed a coalition to increase community involvement to prevent abuse and neglect.

What is the Mission of SCAN?

Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the well-being of children, improve parent-child relations and prevent child abuse and neglect by: EDUCATING the community about the scope, nature and consequences of child abuse and neglect and the importance of positive, nurturing parenting; PROVIDING direct parent education; ADVOCATING for children in the community, the legislature and the courts.

Program Highlights:

• Parenting Classes & Workshops: SCAN offers a series of classes in both English and Spanish using the Nurturing Parenting Program® curriculum that help families learn how to care for one another. SCAN periodically offers parenting workshops at its educational parent support groups and developmental playgroups in an effort to link parents to a variety of community agencies and available resources as a way of providing ongoing support to families.
• Educational Parent Support Groups: A parent support group is a place where parents can share their daily parenting frustrations and triumphs in a supportive environment and learn new strategies from each other to deal with these challenges.
• Developmental Playgrounds: These focused on improving the lives of young children ages 0-5. The playgroups reach out to young families through songs, games and activities to ensure their children enter school prepared to take full advantage of the educational experience.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers like you are always welcomed at SCAN. You will need to complete an application form to volunteer as a CASA, or in the Parent Education program, public education program and other general volunteering opportunities.