A New School Year Begins!

On Tuesday, September 6, CFNC opened its doors and welcomed -
students and teachers to its 28th school year! This year CFNC has 10 classrooms in six neighborhood locations--two in Arlington and four in Alexandria- serving nearly 200 children and their families. As it has been throughout CFNC's history, our mission is to provide caring, high-quality, free education and related services to at-risk children and their families in their own neighborhoods in order to prepare them for success in school and life.

In addition to an exemplary teaching staff and administrators, CFNC fulfills its mission with the generous support of our community. As we start a new year, we hope you'll consider becoming involved. Check out our website, our wish list, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and support us through our
newest initiative Tix4Cause. Learn more about how you can become involved (and help families like Alfredo's and Nancy's), how others are making a difference and the impact of our work in the stories below.

We are thrilled to start a new school year. Come by and join in the excitement!

A CFNC Success Story: Nancy and Alfredo

Success stories at CFNC abound. This month we'd like to share with you Nancy and Alfredo's story. Currently, the couple's twins are enrolled in CFNC's
preschool and in 2009 one of their older daughters was enrolled. It has been a joy to watch their progress.

When CFNC Social Worker, Glymaris Lugo, first met Nancy and Alfredo in 2009, their finances were unstable and the family was struggling. Nancy was unemployed and Alfredo's work hours were reduced. Glymaris was able to offer assistance through CFNC's Fund for Basic Needs Program and connected them with CFNC's on-site Job Placement Coach (a service that has since been cut, unfortunately). Nancy and Alfredo learned interview skills, how to build a resume and how to apply for jobs online. While applying for jobs as a preschool teacher--Nancy's dream--she was selected through CFNC's Paid Parent Program to be an assistant teacher in a CFNC classroom. With this experience added to her resume, Nancy was soon hired as a Teacher's Assistant at Bright Start Preschool where she remains employed today and has made great gains. Bright Start paid for her to take preliminary credits towards her Childhood Development Associate's Degree (CDA) for which she received certifications.

On a recent visit to their home, Alfredo proudly showed Glymaris his wife's certifications as well as a recently earned license for food management at Bright Start. He reported that Nancy received a raise this year and hopes to complete her CDA. Alfredo continues to work at the same job, and now feels at ease with his hours because it allows him flexibility to be able to pick up his daughters from school. Once the twins are in Kindergarten, he will look for a morning job. With CFNC's assistance, the family now receives temporary help from the city and has made adjustments in their expenses and budget.

CFNC shares Alfredo's pride for his family's hard work and achievements and expects more growth and success in the years to come.

CFNC and McKinley Marketing Partners in the News!

On Friday, September 9, Alexandria's McKinley Marketing Partners donated a total of 30 boxes - filled with folders, calendars, loose paper, note pads, note cards and envelopes, letter-size envelopes and brochure-size envelopes - to CFNC's classrooms at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center.

McKinley recently rebranded with a fresh logo and an updated website. The circular design of its new logo underscores McKinley's mission - to provide complete, well-rounded marketing solutions for its clients' interim or direct-hire needs.
As for the 30 boxes of paper items with the old logo, those will be used to help CFNC fulfill its mission by providing children with supplies to encourage writing and drawing; creativity and design; and inspire lessons such as "how to mail a letter."

The donation caught the eye of WUSA9.com who featured an article and great photos on September 15. You can enjoy the article here.

CFNC extends a huge thanks to McKinley's President and CEO, Michelle Boggs, and her generous staff who made the huge delivery in the pouring rain! We look forward to seeing them all at CFNC again during the holiday season when McKinley coordinates a holiday party for our Cora Kelly students.

The Del Ray Business Association Provides Winter Coats for CFNC

The Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) and its members have graciously committed to purchasing a new winter coat for each CFNC student this year--an amazing gift for children in need. The partnership was announced at the DRBA's September membership luncheon where Congressman Jim Moran kicked-off the spirit of generosity by announcing that he'd purchase coats for ten of CFNC's children. DRBA members followed his lead and CFNC children will be warm this winter. Read more here or contact DRBA's Pat Miller at
pmiller1806@comcast.net for information on how you can help, too!

Thank you, DRBA, for the support you provide to our community!

CFNC Participates in the Wilson Bridge Half Marathon

On Sunday, October 2, CFNC participated in the 2nd Annual Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon. CFNC staff passed out water along the course, provided information about CFNC at the Finish Line Festival and ran the race, too!

CFNC was one of six Charity Partners to benefit from the race.
Great big thanks to the race organizers for another
successful year. We can't wait for 2012!