Dear Fostering Connections St. Johns Supporters,
The Holiday season is here! This is such a special season to spend quality time with loved ones, give thanks for our blessings, reflect on the past year, and give generously to our neighbors in need.
For our kids in foster care, the holiday season can be a challenging time with being separated from family members and struggling with physical and mental health difficulties during the holiday season. Here at Fostering Connections, we have been working to make the holiday season a brighter one for each child through our Holiday Gift Drive and assisting with the annual Holiday Party. Our office is Santa's Workshop. We've been able to help 61 children and young adults this holiday season! Read more about some of the families we have been able to help in our monthly newsletter.
I continue to be in awe by the generosity of our community! 2021 was a year full of challenges; the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, supply chain issues, racial divisions, fear, and uncertainty. Despite the many challenges we faced as a county, you continued to give generously and support Fostering Connections St. Johns in any way you could through giving monetary donations and sharing your time and talents with the children and youth we serve. Because of your support, youth impacted by foster care or trauma have received needed essentials (basic needs, educational tools), had enrichment opportunities through summer camp experiences and arts classes, and learned valuable career and life skills. We doubled the number of children and youth we serve this year! There is a lot to celebrate! Learn more about our accomplishments this year in the attached newsletter.
I am excited for 2022 and the continued growth of Fostering Connections St. Johns. We'll be starting the New Year with our rescheduled Foster Friends 5K & Fun Run on January 2nd in Nocatee. It will be a great way to start the year uplifting local children and youth impacted by foster care or trauma. Online registration is open through December 31. Registration will be available day of as well. Volunteer opportunities are still open. We look forward to seeing all of our Foster Friends there!
Thank you to our board members, advisory council members, donors, and volunteers for all of your support in 2021. It truly takes a team to provide support. I'm so grateful to have each of you as part of Fostering Connections St. Johns. I hope you and your family have a happy holiday season and blessed new year.
Kind Regards,
Aubrie Simpson-Gotham
Founder & CEO