As the founding vice-chair of the board for Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN), I find myself in the delicate situation of asking for your financial support for our grassroots 501(c)3 on my community blog. I keep reminding myself that I've asked my readers to support a number of community organizations and events that I have no official ties to, all in the name of community and civic investment, and this is really no different aside from my personal commitment to FAN. This is not my day job, it truly is a volunteer labor of love. Please, read the information below, and, if possible, contribute to FAN and help us stay on track in fulfilling our mission to provide safety, security, love, and understanding to DC's foster adolescents....
Can you imagine being separated from your family, moving from place to place, not knowing if you'll be in the same school, same neighborhood, or same house from one day to the next?
Nearly 3,000 children in foster care from Washington, DC live with this uncertainty every day, staying in care for 3 years on average and living in 3 different homes during that time. The crisis-driven child welfare system is so focused on what's wrong with teens in foster care, that they fail to see what's "right" with this group of young people.
FAN works with some of the city's most vulnerable youth: teens in foster care, in a daily after school and summer positive youth development program that engages youth in academic support, extracurricular instruction, community service, group mentoring, and cultural enrichment. Youth are provided with opportunities to belong, to develop their talents and skills, to develop meaningful relationships with peers and adults, and to experience success. FAN serves as a source of stability, consistency, and support that enhances the well-being and positive development of youth. Please visit our website at www.fan-dc.org to learn more about our organization and to join our mailing list.
May is National Foster Care Month. Make a difference in the lives of teens in foster care with your tax deductible donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, or more. To be a part of FAN's success, please mail a check today or donate online on our website through Network for Good.
I cannot thank you enough for your generosity!
Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso / FAN
1227 Good Hope Road SE, Room 106
Washington, DC 20020
202.889.5000 x114
202.889.5035 (fax)
www.fan-dc.org
This looks like a wonderful organization and something I might be interested in volunteering some time to. I am a licensed clinical social worker and my areas of expertise are in adolescents, grief/loss, and HIV/AIDS. I am also a very proud resident of Woodridge and have lived here with my partner for a little over a year. I just learned about this blog yesterday from the Post feature. Thanks for doing this. It's great!!
ReplyDeleteRumor has it that you were profiled in the Washington Post!. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteRead yesterday's article and the Washington Post and I think your blog is great. Our neighborhood started a blog 3 years ago and it is a huge success. Nice to know there are others like us out there. Check us out at www.breezysac.com sometime - would love to hear from other neighborhoods!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words!
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