FAIRFAX, VA — The Fairfax County Police Department’s Victim Services Division (VSD) joined with Great Clips and Bank of America on Tuesday, October 28, for the second annual Empowerment Bags presentation at Great Clips in Fairfax. Ten members of the Fairfax County Police Department, including Director Saly Fayez and Victim Services Specialist Ilana Wixted, attended to receive donated cosmetics and self-care products gathered throughout October in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This year, local Great Clips and Bank of America employees provided enough cosmetics to fill more than 50 Empowerment Bags, which will be distributed to survivors of domestic violence across Fairfax County. Beyond the local business donations, community members also contributed a significant number of additional products — making this the campaign’s most successful year yet.
The Empowerment Bags initiative is part of the county’s broader Empowerment Through Care Drive, which unites law enforcement,
local businesses, and residents to deliver tangible support to survivors.
Each Empowerment Bag contains new beauty and self-care items — like skincare, and cosmetics — that help survivors restore dignity and confidence after trauma. These small, thoughtful gestures remind survivors that they are valued, seen, and supported by their community.
“This year’s campaign was extraordinary,” said Ilana Wixted, Victim Services Specialist, Fairfax County Police Department Victim Services
Division. “Every single donation represents compassion in action. The Empowerment Bags give survivors the chance to look in the mirror and see strength, not just what they’ve been through. We are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity that made this year’s effort such a success.”
“Ilana’s leadership and vision continue to inspire both our division and the community,” said Saly Fayez, Director, Fairfax County Police Department Victim Services Division. “Her ability to bring people together — businesses, advocates, and neighbors alike — has transformed what began as a small collection effort into a movement of empathy and empowerment for those rebuilding their lives.”
The event also recognized the remarkable support from Bank of America’s Fairfax-area associates, who volunteered their time and resources to help make this year’s drive possible.
“The response from our Bank of America team across the Fairfax region has been incredible,” said Miriam Djelloul, Financial Center Manager – Vice President, Bank of America Turnpike Financial Center. “Our employees contributed voluntarily, bringing in their own donations to ensure these Empowerment Bags are filled with care and intention. It’s inspiring to see what can happen when a community chooses to show up for one another.”
Locally owned Great Clips salons in both Fairfax City and Reston also participated, donating cosmetics and helping with the presentation.
“We’re honored to be part of this partnership and thankful to FCPD for including Great Clips,” said Sean Carroll, Owner of Great Clips in Fairfax and Reston. “Being part of this initiative allows us to immediately express care, dignity, and respect for survivors right here in our community.”
Carroll’s two northern Virginia locations participate in Great Clips’ nationwide Cut It Out! program, which trains salon professionals to
recognize signs of domestic abuse and connect clients safely to local resources. He and several of his team completed domestic violence
awareness training.
As the Empowerment Bags campaign continues to grow, partners expressed appreciation for one another’s ongoing collaboration in supporting survivors.
“The true impact of this campaign goes far beyond the donations,” said Fayez. “It’s about reminding survivors of domestic violence that their
community sees them and cares. Every act of kindness, every donation, is a message that they are not forgotten, and that compassion and hope extend far beyond the campaign.”
All participants agreed the partnership has become a meaningful tradition and plan to continue working together. In November, they hope to
collaborate again for a “Radiance and Resilience” event, a community engagement effort focused on directly supporting and uplifting domestic violence survivors through connection, confidence, and care.