I can tell you all the numbers of youth and community members that came to our events, talk all day about survey responses, the impact of emergency funds from donors, and the adjusted poverty levels that contribute to the struggles of our community in Loudoun County…. Relationship building is the key to transforming lives, and while data helps us navigate, it’s the human connections that truly make the difference.

For foster youth, the impact of mentorship can offer them a lifeline; a steady hand to guide them through the uncertainties of adolescence. Mentors provide much more than advice; they offer guidance, empathy, validation, and consistent support and presence. They can become confidants, advocates, and role models who help to instill a sense of belonging and self-worth to the foster youth they’re paired with.

When we insist on rigid "shoulds," we inadvertently hurt the very communities we aim to support. For instance, imagine encountering someone who is unhoused or homeless and immediately expecting them to have a job or a stable living situation. By doing so, we overlook the systemic barriers and personal struggles that may have led to their homelessness. Such assumptions only deepen the divide between us and those in need, fostering a sense of judgment rather than empathy.

For us at Vine and Fig Tree, we’ve seen how much social workers can be beacons of hope and support to the youth in our community. They work with young people facing a myriad of different challenges and help them navigate complex emotions, develop and encourage coping mechanisms, work towards realizing their full potential - and, our favorite part to get to assist with - help them to feel a part of a larger community.

Play isn’t just a leisurely pastime, it nurtures and encourages creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. For foster youth, these skills can often be underdeveloped due to the traumas they’ve endured. By incorporating play into their lives, which Vine & Fig Tree does through organized events, we make a small but meaningful investment in our local community.

Most businesses aren’t created with processes in place to handle toxic stress and trauma; and often these issues, if addressed at all, are sent to the HR department to deal with. We understand that organizational changes are stressful for employees and that culture changes are often met with resistance; however, the benefits of doing so, are plentiful.