Dear Fostering Connections St. Johns Supporters,
Spring is upon us! Spring is a time of new beginnings and growth. Night of the Arts is coming up in May, programs are launching, and gaps are being filled. Fostering Connections St. Johns continues to grow as an organization. We continue to increase the number of clients we serve. We have provided needed essential items to 46 children since January 2021. There has been an increased need for essential items.
Our board membership has grown. You will meet our new board members in this month’s newsletter. We are excited to have them on our team! Each new board member brings unique gifts and talents to share with our organization. We are grateful for their support and the positive impact they are making on Fostering Connections St. Johns.
As we head into spring, Fostering Connections St. Johns is busy with planning and launching 2021 programming to fill in the gaps in services for children and young adults in care. Our Cooking Class Series for Independent Living young adults begins in April. The 2021 Career Readiness Academy will be held in June 2021. There are several opportunities to volunteer and give support. Please read our monthly newsletter to learn more about how you can help fill in the gaps.
In February, our teens had a fun Art class in which they painted their own bicycles. Our Career Readiness students had a soft skills class on Building Your Personal Brand. This month, our Career Readiness students will learn about Self-Care.
May is Foster Care Awareness Month. St. Johns County has selected to have the artwork of local children in foster care displayed during the month of May to highlight Foster Care Awareness Month. The theme of the show is foster care and community. We are working with the Guardian ad Litem program to produce the art show. 12 to 14 children in care will be featured in the art show. Fostering Connections St. Johns will be supplying the canvases and needed art supplies. This program is supported by a generous donor. The St. Johns Cultural Council will provide the framing. Students will begin working on their pieces at our March 27 art class. This is such a wonderful opportunity for the children to have their art displayed and to tell their stories. Stay tuned for more information in our April newsletter.
We look forward to seeing our supporters at Night of the Arts on May 1st at Fantasy Farms and Foster Friends 5K on November 6 in Nocatee. Both events are outdoors with social distancing in place. The silent auction for Night of the Arts will be virtual this year. We have many wonderful vacations and items to bid on. The silent auction will go live mid-March. There are several sponsorship opportunities for both events available. It is a great opportunity to give support to Fostering Connections St. Johns and meet other Fostering Connections St. Johns supporters in the community.
Fostering Connections St. Johns is able to help local children in care through the support of our donors. Our children in foster care need your support more than ever. From providing needed essentials to mentoring students, there is something everyone can do to support children in foster care. How can you help us fill the gaps? I look forward to connecting with you!
Kind Regards,
Aubrie Simpson-Gotham
Founder & CEO