Dear Friends,
With the dawning of a new holiday season, we often find ourselves reminiscing on the events that shaped our year. In 2010, The Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) experienced events that brought us joy, gratitude, sadness and fulfillment.
JOY in being able to prepare nearly 200 preschoolers for kindergarten, being considered one of the top preschools in the area by Northern Virginia Magazine (January 2010), and being among the first child care centers to receive a four-star rating from the Virginia Star Quality Initiative.
GRATITUDE in knowing that hundreds of thoughtful contributors and volunteers joined forces with CFNC to help defeat a major impediment to children succeeding in school and in life - a lack of early childhood education.
SADNESS in seeing our Founder and Executive Director Barbara Mason retire after 26 years of extraordinary service to our children and our early childhood community.
FULFILLMENT in knowing that with your continued help and the support of our corporate, foundation and local government partners, CFNC will continue to achieve its goal of providing the best possible learning environment for our neediest children and their families.
We are firm believers that a society is judged by the manner in which it cares for the less fortunate members of its population. It is our hope that we will always be known as an organization that cares enough about the community to make a difference and that we never forget that it is "ALL ABOUT THE KIDS."
On behalf of our children, parents, faculty, administrators and board members, I wish you the very best that life has to offer. May your holiday season be filled with joy and happiness. Please keep CFNC in your thoughts and continue to provide your valuable assistance in helping us serve our community.
Warm Regards,
Lee Jackson
Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
Dec 22, 2010
A Holiday Letter from CFNC
Dec 21, 2010
A Community of Kindness:
This holiday season, CFNC has been positively overwhelmed by the spirit of giving in the Northern Virginia Community. It has taken over hallways, offices, classrooms and put smiles and wonderment (at times chocolate, glitter and reindeer antlers!) on the faces of CFNC's nearly 200 students.
Students kicked off the season with holiday parties coordinated by employees of 
local businesses. Health Central, McKinley Marketing, Elizabeth Lucchesi and the LizLuke Team, Dominion VA Power and A+ Government Solutions entertained students with arts & crafts projects, story-telling, cupcake decorating, hat making, pizza and even a game of pin the carrot nose on the snowman. Each party was a joyous and festive occasion and we are grateful to everyone involved for their creativity, generosity and for taking the time to celebrate with our students.
Additionally, churches, businesses and individuals brought holiday magic to each of CFNC's families by purchasing gifts for all. CFNC families completed a wish list 
and, more often than not, found each and every item requested wrapped and delivered to their child's class. From bikes, to clothing, kitchen supplies and even bunk beds--delivered in moving vans, wrapped and labeled--the generosity was astonishing. A huge thanks to the local church groups, the individuals and businesses who worked very hard to adopt a CFNC family, ensuring for each one a festive holiday.
CFNC students will be warm, thanks to employees of Liberty Mutual & Enterprise
A warm coat is a necessity in our area during the winter time, though quite often something our children and families go without. That's why we are positively thrilled to have the generous support of local Liberty Mutual Insurance and Enterprise Rent-A-Car employees and friends who partnered up to provide more than 150new winter coats to CFNC students this year.
It was a team effort of the Fairfax, VA and Hunt Valley, MD offices of Liberty 
Mutual and DC metro area Enterprise offices, as employees worked together to purchase the proper pre-specified size and color coat for each CFNC student. Their effort was tremendous.
Not satisfied with simply making the purchases, employees from Liberty Mutual and Enterprise took a day off to deliver the coats to CFNC and meet the children who
will be kept warm in them. Rick Watkins, Erin Wood and Gina Cernak of Liberty Mutual and Lisa Tolbert from Enterprise had a wonderful time getting to know the children and revealing their new winter coats...and, as you can see from the faces here, children were overjoyed. Liberty Mutual and Enterprise described their experience as "wonderful!" "great!" "far exceeded expectations!" "truly made a difference!" It was a very positive day for all.
A very heartfelt thanks to the employees of Liberty Mutual and Enterprise for their extraordinary kindness. CFNC children will run around and play outside this winter, warm and cozy in their new coats.
In Lieu of Gifts, A Toy for CFNC
Mollie Miller and Hannah Thomas, 6th graders at St. Stephen's & St Agnes School,recently turned 12 years old and had a joint birthday party last week to celebrate. Instead of gifts, Mollie and Hannah asked their friends to bring an educational toy to be donated to the preschoolers at CFNC!
Mollie and Hannah and Hannah's mother, Diane, delivered four large bags of toys and 
books--more than 60 items-- to CFNC and also brought a book and drawing activity to engage the children. Mollie and Hannah read a winter-time story and then helped preschoolers draw and color, using glitter to create winter snowscapes. The children had a ball with their visitors and will certainly enjoy their new toys and books!
CFNC would like to give a big thanks to Mollie and Hannah for including CFNC in their birthday celebration...and of course wish them a very Happy Birthday, too! We hope they'll be back soon for another visit.
CFNC particpates in Deals for Deeds
Last week we asked that you vote for CFNC's particpation in Deals for Deeds and this week we're proud to announce that we've received the most number of votes! Thank you for your help. As a result, CFNC will be featured on the Deals for Deeds website at www.dealsfordeeds.com this entire week (12/20-12/26)!
What this means is that a minimum of 5% of every sale on the Deals for Deeds website this week will come to CFNC to support and enhance CFNC's preschool science program. Deals For Deeds is an innovative new platform that helps non-profits raise funds and awareness while offering great deals on the best the DC-area has to offer like spas, restaurants, bars, and more--all at 30-50% off. Everyday there is a new, great deal offered for purchase and there will be some pretty neat deals offered this week in honor of the season. We hope that you will check out www.dealsfordeeds.com and please spread the word. The more deals purchased this week, the more CFNC benefits!
Don't Forget!. CFNC & iGive
There may still be time to do last minute shopping online and support CFNC! Shop all year at iGive.com and up to 26% of purchases at participating stores (like Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, William Sonoma, DSW, Gap, Eddie Bauer, J.Crew-- 823 in total!) will go to your charity of choice.
Join iGive.com here to support CFNC. It's free, safe, and easy to join. Remember: CFNC only benefits when you make purchases through the iGive website. If you go directly to the retailers' website and make purchases, CFNC will not receive a percentage of the sale. Please help us spread the word!
Oct 27, 2010
CFNC Earns High Marks in New Star Rating System
"CFNC was excited to participate and we are thrilled by our star-rating," said Sharon Shackelford, Director of Education at CFNC. "Our rating is further evidence of the high quality of our preschool and we are proud that for more than 26 years we have been able to offer our program at no cost to families in need."
For further details on this honor, please read the full press release .
For more information and a list of star rated early learning programs, please visit the Smart Beginnings website.
Thank you for your support which helps us maintain our high-quality, star rated programs!
October's Featured Volunteer: Jade Lau
Meet Jade! Jade Lau is October's featured volunteer for the kindness, patience and dedication that she brings to CFNC, its students and teachers. Jade first learned about CFNC from a volunteer posting she saw online and began volunteering as a classroom assistant at one of CFNC's Cora Kelly classrooms in the fall of 2009. From day one it was clear that Jade is passionate about the work done at CFNC and truly enjoys being with the children, interacting and helping them grow and develop. And, the children and teachers at Cora Kelly are delighted to have her on-board.
Originally from Hong Kong, Jade lived in Arizona and Georgia before moving to Alexandria with her husband two years ago. When she's not volunteering at CFNC, Jade enjoys biking with her husband in Alexandria and on the many bike trails throughout Northern Virginia. She also enjoys cooking and baking.
We are very lucky to have Jade volunteering at CFNC, and are hopeful that she will be with us for many years to come.
If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering at CFNC, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kristin Thompson at kthompson@cfnc-online.org, or call 703-836-0214 ext 234.
Everyone was a WINNER at Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™!
As you know, CFNC was very pleased to have been selected as one of 12 nonprofit organizations to partner with Acumen Solutions for the 2nd Annual Race for a Cause™ 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The event took place on Sunday, October 17 in Arlington, VA and was a great success.
Each of the 12 organizations selected was charged with recruiting 100 participants to register for the race and select their organization as the participant's charity of choice. The CFNC community rallied their friends and family and, as a result, 114 people signed up in support of CFNC!
CFNC staff and Board Members enjoyed participating as runners and spectators. Social Worker Glymaris Lugo (pictured on left) oversaw a CFNC table in the start/finish area and chatted with participants about CFNC's work.
THANK YOU, CFNC Community, for supporting our cause by registering. A BIG THANKS to the staff at Acumen Solutions for coordinating the race and helping so many families in need throughout the greater Washington DC area. CFNC hopes to be a part of this event for many years to come.
Acumen Solutions' previous 10K road races and last year's Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™ 8K have contributed over $125,000 to benefit local nonprofits. The company has contributed over $1 million dollars to charitable causes since inception. To find out more about the race, the results and the participating organizations please visit www.acumensolutions.com/theraceforacause
Second Graders from St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Visit CFNC
On October 19 and 20, CFNC students were visited by second graders from St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School--an annual tradition that never fails to inspire smiles, friendship and play. This year, the second graders engaged the preschoolers by collaborating on art projects at the easels, dressing up as firemen and firewomen, experimenting at the water table and sharing time in the reading nook.It was evident from the laughter and constant activity in the classroom that the visit was enjoyed by all. Dress-up and number games transported second graders back in time to their preschool days; while they also acted as teachers by imparting their 7-year old
wisdom on CFNC students. Meanwhile, CFNC students found role models and mentors and gained valuable social and interactive skills critical to their development.CFNC looks forward to welcoming St. Stephen's & St. Agnes back again soon for more learning, laughter, partnership and fun.
Oct 1, 2010
Run for CFNC during Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K™
CFNC is excited to take part-BUT, in order for CFNC to be eligible to receive proceeds from the race we must recruit a minimum of 100 people to register and select CFNC on the registration form. Please consider signing-up! We're hoping you'll act fast as online registration closes at 12:00pm on October 15.
Please keep in mind that registration for both the 1-mile fun run (a fee of as little as $15) and 8K race will be credited towards CFNC's 100-person minimum. Acumen Solutions' previous 10K road races and last year's Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™ 8K have contributed over $125,000 to benefit local nonprofits and the company has contributed over $1 million dollars to charitable causes since its inception. This is the first time that CFNC will benefit and we appreciate your help to make it happen. Spread the word!
Check out the link below for a PSA promoting the race and encouraging participants to select CFNC upon registration.
Race for a Cause PSA
Featured Volunteer
This summer Louis helped us prepare for the school year by sprucing up the playground at our Birchmere location. This project was arduous and labor intensive, involving clearing out the children's playground of overgrown weeds, vines, tree branches and limbs that had taken over the surrounding fence, preventing a clear view into the playground. Louis is a "jack of all trades," and no matter what the task may be, he completes it with a smile and with an eagerness to help.
We would be remiss if we did not mention that Louis is married to Ms. Arnita Willis, Lead Teacher at Charles Houston. This pair devotes a lot of time and energy to supporting CFNC and for that we are most grateful. Thank you Willis Family!
Everybody wins at the Inaugural Woodrow Wilson Bridge 1/2 Marathon
CFNC was selected as one of 6 charity partners of the race and CFNC staff had a wonderful time participating in the many activities leading up to and day-of the event. In fact, CFNC staff dedicated a total of nearly 60 volunteer hours to assembling and distributing race packets, handing out water on the course and promoting the event and CFNC's participation.
The race sold-out at 4,000 runners, among them CFNC staff members Anna Berke, Manager of Development, and Eugenie Ballering, ESL Teacher, as well as Race Ambassador and local celebrity Doreen Gentzler, and more than 25 world-class international elite athletes. Without a doubt, runners enjoyed the perfect weather and the scenic course, which began at Mount Vernon, continued along the George Washington Parkway and then crossed the majestic Woodrow Wilson Bridge into National Harbor.
CFNC was thrilled to be involved in this most successful event and looks forward to next year! According to a recent Washington Post article , since 2003 the half-marathon has been the fastest growing road race distance in the United States. Perhaps you'll consider joining us in 2011? For more information, visit the race's website.
We're Back to School
We hope you'll have an opportunity this Fall to stop by one of our six locations to welcome our students to preschool. No doubt you'll find a very active bunch painting, drawing, cutting, gluing, even constructing a fire engine (see pics below) and of course LEARNING every step of the way.
As we launch into the new school year there are so many opportunities to support our cause. Read on to learn how some folks already have; as well as how you can help CFNC by registering for the Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K™. Be sure to checkout our website for information on our wish list and for other upcoming opportunities. You'll be making an impact not only on our students and families, but on your community. Remember that: "High-quality early childhood education helps prepare young children to succeed in school and become better citizens; they earn more, pay more taxes, and commit fewer crimes. Every dollar invested in quality early care and education saves taxpayers up to $13.00 in future costs" (Calman & Tarr-Whelan, 2005).
The faces below, along with the nearly 200 children and families, staff and administrators at CFNC hope to see you soon!
Sep 2, 2010
Extraordinary Donation of School Supplies Provides an Excellent Start to the New School Year
CFNC students will be very well-equipped this school year thanks to the extraordinary donation made by a fellow Alexandria community member, who felt moved by CFNC's mission to help at-risk children succeed.
On August 16, Sara made a surprise visit to CFNC's Birchmere location, delivering 200 pieces each of 25 different school supplies--for a total of nearly 5,000 items! The supplies, including crayons, markers, lined paper, kid-friendly staplers and hole punches, filled the entire lobby and larger items that Sara purchased for CFNC continue to arrive via mail. Sara's generosity is incredible and CFNC is extremely grateful.
Sara's donation could not have come at a better time. Her gift is an enormous help, providing an excellent start to the 2010/11 school year. Her school supplies will be distributed to each of CFNC's classrooms and assist our teachers in fostering the growth and education of their students. We look forward to welcoming Sara back to CFNC soon so that she can witness students enjoying her gifts.
Run or Walk in Support of CFNC this Fall
Autumn is a wonderful time for outdoor exercise-especially while supporting a great cause! There are two upcoming opportunities that we hope you'll take part in. The first is the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, September 19and the second is Acumen Solutions Annual Race for a Cause™ 8K on Sunday, October 17. A portion of the proceeds from both events will benefit CFNC, among other local charities. If you can't join the race, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer or make a donation. See below for more information. On your mark...get set...go!
Race Ambassador Doreen Gentzler will run the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon, accompanied by her husband, Bill. Also on the course will be CFNC's Manager of Development, Anna Berke. With more than 3,500 participants registered there are only 500spots remaining! Register today on the race's website. There you'll also find a course map, information on the benefitting charities and volunteer opportunities. We hope to see you out there on race day! Click on the links below to see a two-part interview with Steve Nearman, which aired on Fairfax Community Public Access to promote the race.
Part I
Part II
CFNC is also proud to announce that we will be partnering with Acumen Solutions for their 2nd Annual Race for a Cause™ 8K and 1K Fun Run race on Sunday, October 17, 2010 in Arlington, VA. CFNC will be one of 12 charities benefitting from the race and it's up to the runner or walker to pick which charity their donation will benefit. The 1 mile format has been added this year to give families and young runners a chance to participate. Two-thousand dollars in combined prizes will be awarded to winners. Acumen Solutions' previous 10K road races and last year's Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™ 8K have contributed over $125,000 to benefit local nonprofits. The company has contributed over $1 million dollars to charitable causes since inception. This is the first time that CFNC will benefit from this event. For more detailed information and registration go to http://www.acumensolutions.com/theraceforacause/
Check out the link below for a PSA promoting the race and asking that you support CFNC upon registration. Spread the word!
Race for a Cause PSA
CNFC Goes "Back to School" with Safeway
CFNC will benefit from Safeway's back to school fundraising program. As a participant, CFNC will receive a percentage of qualifying purchases made by customers who have linked their club cards to CFNC. Here's how you can make your purchases help the nearly 200 children and families that CFNC serves this school year:
Step 1: Sign up for free now. Log onto www.escrip.com anytime, register your Safeway Club Card and select The Child & Family Network Centers, by searching our Group Number: 500004246.
Step 2: Shop at Safeway and purchase specially marked products. When shopping at Safeway stores between August 11, 2010 and September 14, 2010, look for yellow School Bus tags on over 2,000 participating products. When purchasing these products, present your Safeway Club Card at check-out. You will be able to check your receipts throughout the program to see how much of your purchases will go to CFNC. The total will be updated after each shopping trip at the bottom of the store receipt.
Step 3: Between September 18, 2010, and October 13, 2010, your Safeway receipts will provide a redemption code, located at the bottom of each receipt. In order for CFNC to receive the funds, you will need to either: (1) log on and enter your redemption code(s) at www.escrip.com OR (2) mail/drop-off your receipts at CFNC (3701 A Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305). You can return to www.escrip.com as many times as necessary between September 18, 2010 and October 13, 2010 to register additional receipt codes.
Jul 30, 2010
CFNC & Harris Teeter: Together in Education
CFNC will once again participate in Harris Teeter's Together in Education program- a fundraising program for schools in the communities where Harris Teeter grocery stores are located. When customers purchase select Harris Teeter Brand products using their VIC card, Harris Teeter contributes a percentage of those purchase dollars to the schools of the customer's choice.
We need your help! There are two ways to ensure that funds from your qualifying Harris Teeter Brand purchases will be credited to CFNC. You can simply give the cashier your VIC Card and the school's Together in Education number (CFNC's is 6467) during checkout or, better yet, you can link your VIC card directly to CFNC by registering online here. That's it! The program runs from August 1, 2010 thru May 31, 2011, but you can register your card online anytime.
In the 2009/10 school year, the program raised nearly $1.4 million for participating schools of which CFNC recieved less than $100. Help us raise significantly more this year by linking your card today! Thank you for your support.
CFNC Celebrates the Class of 2010
The Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) marked the end of its 26th school year this June with graduation ceremonies in its eleven classrooms located in seven preschool sites throughout Alexandria and Arlington.
The graduation ceremonies are a time to celebrate the great gains made by both children and their parents over the course of the school year. Children demonstrated their learnings through songs in both Spanish and English, dance, and recitation of the alphabet, colors and numbers. In recognition of their accomplishment, each child received a diploma as well as a gift from their teachers. Additionally, thanks to the generous donations made at CFNC's Annual Spring Benefit in May, children took home a backpack with school supplies for kindergarten and practice materials to help them during summer vacation.
CFNC graduations are a very festive and often emotional time for teachers and staff as they send their students off to kindergarten. It is a time for teachers and staff to reflect on the skills they have nurtured and instilled in each child; and tools that will equip them for success in kindergarten, and prepare them for life beyond CFNC's doors. We are proud of the students of CFNC's class of 2010 and excited for what their futures hold!
Jul 15, 2010
In the news: Study finds that effects of low-quality child care last into adolescence
On May 14, 2010 The Washington Post reported new results from the largest, most authoritative assessment of child rearing in the United States illustrating that low-quality care in the first few years of a child's life can have a small but long-lasting impact on learning and behavior.
This federally funded study has tracked more than 1,300 children since 1991, finding that obedience and academic problems among children who received low-quality child care in their first 4 1/2 years of life persisted through age 15, suggesting the potential for lifelong difficulties.
Experts praised the findings, saying they "underscore the urgent need for local, state and federal governments, employers and others to improve access to high-quality child care."
This study lends further credibility to the work that CFNC accomplishes, led by the motto "education is not a luxury, it is a necessity." We believe that if you care about preventing crime, ending poverty, or closing the achievement gap, then you should care about providing early childhood education for children living in poverty.
CFNC Selected for Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington
The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington recently announced that CFNC has been selected to be featured in the 2010-11 Catalogue. A panel of 100 expert reviewers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, peer nonprofit organizations, and the DC government evaluated nearly 250 applications; CFNC is one of 70 outstanding nonprofits to be featured this year. "Charities were selected for excellence, cost-effectiveness, and impact," Barbara Harman, President and Editor of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington said. "These are certainly among the best community-based nonprofits in the Washington region." The Catalogue enables smaller nonprofits, like CFNC, to tell their stories to individuals who would otherwise never hear them, and to encourage those individuals to get engaged and to give. It also provides charities with a stamp of approval that tells donors they can invest with confidence because the Catalogue vets its family of nonprofits with great care.
To request a catalogue, visit the home page of the Catalogue website at www.cfp-dc.org and look for the "request a catalogue" link in the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.
2010 Multicultural Celebration
CFNC's annual Multicultural Celebration took place on Monday, May 24 at CFNC's Birchmere location. The event is typically held at the end of the school year to recognize and celebrate the diversity of CFNC's families who hail from 17 countries worldwide - from El Salvador to Pakistan to Bulgaria.
This year, more than 200 families participated in the variety of festive activities, including pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, a clown, and an exciting raffle. Families, staff and volunteers also enjoyed a pot luck lunch featuring a delicious traditional dish from each country represented.
Be sure to check out the Photo Galleries at www.cfnc-online.org for more!
