Family Care Network’s mission is to “enhance the wellbeing of children and families in partnership with our community.’ If we didn’t partner with our community, we would not be able to provide the full array of services that we do. As such, we offer a variety of opportunities for the community to partner with us, and each one has a direct and positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
January is National Mentor Month, and during the month we like to honor all of the different individuals who volunteer their time and energy to support our community’s youth and families. At FCNI, we have multiple volunteer roles, including mentor, tutor, career mentor and admin volunteer; and all of these roles directly help us achieve our mission, “to enhance the wellbeing of children, youth and families in partnership with our community.” Matt Hanley, a local attorney, is currently a Mentor with us.
August 21st marks 30 years since the Family Care Network opened its doors to begin serving our community’s children, youth and families impacted by trauma. We’ve been celebrating this milestone all year by walking you through our 30 year journey, spotlighting important people, partnerships and moments which have made the last 30 years not only possible but exceptional.
Ann Ward is certainly someone who has made the last 30 years possible. She and her husband were two of our first foster parents. They’ve been with FCNI from day one, and have served hundreds of children and families in profound ways over the years. Ann has also become an invaluable trainer and foster parent support person, helping others to serve and succeed.
The following was written by Ann in honor of the last 30 years--and reflects her tremendous heart for our mission and our community!
Last year, we began a partnership with the creative minds behind Zest it Up, a local catering and event planning company. Owners, Chanda Brown and Samantha Nason, came to us in early 2016 with the idea of putting on a series of pop-up dinners to not only help up raise funds, but to also raise community awareness and exposure to the work and heart behind our mission. The idea to accomplish this by hosting pop-up dinners stemmed from the popularity of popping up a restaurant for one night only in a unique location, something done in larger cities but not yet done with any regularity in San Luis Obispo County. These dinners would be a creative way to connect our community with us like never before, Zest it Up explaining, “Community is contagious and the strength that comes from it is boundless. This strength is the kind that lifts up those who struggle and knits them more intricately into the fabric of our community. Those without a voice, are given a voice.” By creating a series of fundraising events for us, Zest it Up were also able to achieve their goal to “dive deeper and call more people out to connect and support FCNI.”
We started Miracle Miles for Kids (MM4K) to raise funds to help our agency meet the crucial needs of children and families impacted by trauma. What it grew into over the last 12 years has been such a beautiful and heartwarming surprise.
On October 1st, nearly 1000 wishes came to us from those in our care. We asked the community to come together to help us give our children, youth and families a holiday to remember—fulfill the wishes that they had specifically requested. And what happened next was incredible.
As the Christmas holiday is less than 24 hours away, we here at FCNI are reflecting on all the ways our amazing Central Coast community gives towards our efforts throughout the year. One of the most vital ways that you give throughout the year is with your time—probably the most precious commodity we each possess.
Sponsor a Child Season is upon us! And thanks to the generosity of our community, we are able to successfully fulfill specific holiday wishes for the children, youth, and families in our care year after year. This year, more than 800 wish requests have been submitted from our children, youth and families!
On August 26th, the Family Care Network will host its 9th annual Taste of the Central Coast, a fine food and wine tasting event benefiting the foster and high-needs children, youth and families it serves. For more information on this very special event or to purchase tickets, please visit tasteofthecentralcoast.com.
August marks the 25th year that the Family Care Network has been serving foster and high-needs children, youth and families in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Since our inception, FCNI has achieved many amazing outcomes, established vital community partnerships and worked diligently towards achieving our mission of enhancing the lives of children and families we serve. As we look back on these last 25 years, we do with a deep sense of accomplishment, but also a tremendous sense of gratitude to thousands of community members who have helped along the way.
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