Dear Fostering Connections Supporters,
Summer is here! The weather is warm and the school year has ended. Families are ready to enjoy a summer full of, fun, travel, and outdoor activities.
May was Foster Care Awareness Month. It was a busy month for Fostering Connections hosting programming, celebrating our local foster parents, and raising funds and awareness. We supported the annual 2nd Annual Celebrating Experience Through Diverse Voices exhibit at the St. Johns County Administration Building Rotunda Gallery, highlighted local foster parents on our social media channels, and provided gifts for foster parents at the annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner. At the Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner, Fostering Connections was honored to receive a Volunteer Appreciation Award from the Family Integrity Program for our service and support to the St. Johns County foster care community. We are thankful for our foster parents who provide a safe, loving home year round while their families begin to heal.
Our annual Night of the Arts fundraiser, sponsored by Lynch Family Automotive Group, was held on May 14 and raised over $30,000 for our educational programs. 150 supporters were in attendance. It was a wonderful evening of the arts, inspiration, and a call to action to uplift youth in care.
We were also honored to receive a donation from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority at their state conference in St. Augustine and to be one of the beneficiaries of Belles & Beaus of the River Society's inaugural Run for the Roses Derby Gala.
Read a full recap of all of our May programming and events in our newsletter.
This summer, we will be hosting three Career Readiness Academy sessions. In June, our session will be at the Markets at Town Center in Jacksonville and in July there will be sessions in South Daytona and DeLand. We look forward to meeting our students and helping them begin planning for their future. Our Back to School Bash is in August. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/fosteringconnectionsfl or on Instagram at @fosteringconnectionsfl for updates on programming and volunteer opportunities.
Thank you for all you do to support Fostering Connections. I look forward to connecting with you soon. I hope you and your family have a safe, fun summer!
Kind Regards,
Aubrie Simpson-Gotham
Founder & CEO