Fostering Connections January 2025 Newsletter
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of Fostering Connections. This February, we will celebrate six years of serving Northeast Florida, a milestone that reflects the dedication and generosity of our incredible community.
Looking back at 2024, we experienced remarkable growth. We expanded our programs throughout the region, launched and sponsored the Florida Youth SHINE Greater Jacksonville Chapter to empower teens impacted by foster care, and laid the foundation for a development program to ensure our sustainability and ability to serve even more youth and families. You can read more about these accomplishments in our 2024 Year in Review, available in this month’s newsletter.
We are already diving into 2025 with exciting programs and events. On January 4, we will host our first Foster/Adoptive Family Meet Up of the year at Myrtle Ave Brewing. This will be followed by The Big Dill Pickleball Classic on January 11-12 at Veterans Park in St. Johns hosted by the St. Augustine Sunrise Rotary Club benefiting Fostering Connections, where there is still time to sign up as a player or vendor.
On January 18, our Florida Youth SHINE Greater Jacksonville Chapter will meet at our new host location, Keiser University Jacksonville Campus. Later this month, we are thrilled to send two students and their mentors to the FYS State Quarterly Meeting from January 24-26 in Cape Coral, a unique opportunity for leadership and connection.
Looking ahead, the Art of Family Gala is quickly approaching on March 7. Early Bird tickets are available until February 1, and we have extended the deadline for Students & Families Art Contest entries and Community Award nominations to January 31. For sponsors, the deadline to guarantee inclusion in the program is February 21. We are deeply grateful to the donors and sponsors who have already committed their support to this special event. We look forward to seeing all of our supporters to celebrate foster and adoptive families, build community connections, and cultivate support for Fostering Connections on March 7.
This year also brings new opportunities to get involved. Applications are now open for our county-specific Advisory Boards, which play a vital role in building relationships with local stakeholders and advancing our mission. Additionally, we are excited to offer new volunteer opportunities for those looking to engage more deeply with our work.
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the youth and families we serve. Together, we are creating brighter futures and stronger communities. I look forward to a wonderful 2025 filled with opportunities, growth, and meaningful connections.
Warm regards,
Aubrie Simpson-Gotham
Founder & CEO, Fostering Connections
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