Our History

1972

County Board member Ellen Bozman spearheaded the formation of the Volunteer Office.

It began as part of the Department of Human Resources (Now DHS), Social Services Division.  

1984 

The Volunteer Office was moved to the County Manager's Office. 

The Volunteer Office remained part of the County Manager’s Office until 1997, when it was moved back to the Department of Human Services.

2000

The Volunteer Office moved with DHS to the Warren Stambaugh building at 3033 Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon.

2004

The Volunteer Office launched the Online Volunteer Connection

ESF-17 for Volunteer and Donations Management was developed by OEM and launched in conjunction with the Arlington Prepares initiative.

2009

The Volunteer Office, part of the Department of Human Resources (now DHS), Social Services Division, was renamed Volunteer Arlington.

2010

Volunteer Arlington moved with DHS to Sequoia Plaza at 2100 Washington Boulevard.

June 2016 

Volunteer Arlington becomes a program of the Leadership Center of Arlington, and moves to 4420 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 102.

Arlington County signed a contract with Leadership Center of Arlington to operate the Volunteer Arlington program for the next five years under a public-private partnership model. The Leadership Center of Arlington was chosen through a competitive bidding process.

July 2017

Volunteer Arlington hosted its first "Arlington Cares: A Celebration of Volunteerism" event which honored local nonprofit and County volunteers.

January 2018

Volunteer Arlington hosted its first MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 15, 2018. Over 700 people registered to make it a "Day On, Not a Day Off" through service or volunteer training.

2020

Volunteer Arlington launches Causes and Cocktails, a series of events which link young professionals with various causes and opportunities to serve Volunteer Arlington partner opportunities.

2020/2021

Volunteer Arlington launched a variety of campaigns during the Covid-19 pandemic. Through "Buy a Neighbor Lunch", "Buy a Neighbor Groceries", "Buy a Neighbor School Supplies", and "Buy a Neighbor Joy", over $100,000 was raised to support neighbors in need.

2023

Volunteer Arlington launched "Time to Serve", a campaign where organizations pledge to offer paid time off for employee's volunteer service.