Jerri Writes...

Dear Families,

The year is flying by and it is already time for our annual membership drive.  This year, we are trying to make sure that families have paid their membership dues and that all of our directory information is correct.  Please review your contact information in our directory which can be found on our website: www.familiesoffana.org.  As a member of Families of FANA, you have the ability to update your contact information directly through our website. Parents can also update the names and birthdays of their children.  If you'd prefer, you can send any updates to directory@familiesoffana.org.

We are an organization that has adjusted to all of the ups and downs that families encounter: the birth of children, the teen years, college, all of the events that encompass the life of a 21-year old group!  Through these changes, we hope that Families of FANA has met some of your needs and interests.

We still offer opportunities to give back to FANA and to support local children’s charities, which we hope has taught your children to be good citizens of the world -- to help others. Families of FANA has evolved over the years to also offer family support through education regarding parenting our children. This summer, we renewed some old topics and learned so much from Elena Martinez and Adriana Chaves –talking to your kids about adoption. And, we will continue that topic this year with another workshop for parents. Teens have been meeting with Adriana Chaves, FANA’s psychologist for three years now. This has been a learning experience for us, but an incredible bonding
experience for the kids. Each year that the kids are able to get together, the bonds grow stronger and the experience becomes more valuable. Plan on having your teen join us next summer for Teen Night during the FANA week in July.

Our teens also continue to join one another through the activities offered by our board. Please watch for emails regarding some exciting upcoming activities for your kids. And, if you have any ideas to make these events interesting for kids, give your board members a call.

Spanish Camp continues to provide enrichment and friendship for our kids each year. I want to encourage your family to participate next year as we extend the age range of campers with overwhelming success!  Reflecting on the year, I am so proud of all of the opportunities Families of FANA brings to our children!

And let’s not forget the children of FANA. Those who pass through FANA’s doors for so many reasons and find a home that gives them the best of care, no matter what they need. Many of these children need shelter and may never be available for adoption. FANA is a haven for all kids who need a home.

Suba, the town in which FANA is located, is soon growing into the larger city of Bogota. And with that, comes more and more need to reach out to the community that has become quite vulnerable.  Families who need childcare in order to work but can’t afford or find adequate care, have turned to FANA. Today, nearly 160 children attend a preschool program, much like our “Head Start” program. It is affordable for the family and allows FANA to reach so many more at risk kids. This program also allows the FANA children to be part of a larger school setting, as well as providing some income to the facility as the Bogota school district helps pay for the salaries of the teachers.

As families grow and change, so too must our organization. I hope we continue to meet your needs. Please continue to support Families of FANA so that we can in turn support you and the kids at FANA who rely on us.