LCAC Recognizes Local Teacher with Founder’s Award

Barbara Rizer, a longtime Lorton resident and Fairfax County school teacher, was recently recognized by the for her tireless dedication to helping individuals and families in southeast Fairfax County through her volunteer efforts with LCAC. 

On March 10 at , the LCAC Board of Directors presented Rizer with the organization’s inaugural Founder’s Award for her commitment and passion for fulfilling LCAC’s mission of enhancing the quality of life in the community through individual and family services, community programs, and partnerships with other organizations. 

“Everyone needs to have somewhere to go for resources, information, and compassionate guidance,” Rizer said. "Sometimes people make bad decisions and they end up in a situation that they never anticipated, or they experience an unexpected life-change, such as a medical diagnosis, a death in the family or a job loss."   

Rizer, a math teacher at , has worked as an LCAC volunteer for 17 years to ensure that people have access to food, emergency financial assistance for rent or utilities and clothes. She also championed the need for tutoring and after-school programs for local children. 

Rizer played an instrumental role in moving , LCAC’s thrift store, to a more visible location on Route 1 and has worked hard to make the store a success. She served on the LCAC Board of Directors, including six years as Treasurer, and it was during this time that she advocated and convinced the Board of Directors that the organization should pursue outside grant funding. 

But her dedication didn’t stop there – she identified potential funding sources, including Fairfax County, and wrote the grants herself.  

(Editor's Note: *The author is the LCAC Director of Development.)