The Network News
    
October 2008

Providing caring, high-quality, free education & related services to at-risk children & their families in their own neighborhoods in order to empower them for success in school and life.
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Greetings!

I want to keep this short so that you at least have enough time to read the first article below about our cover story in USA TODAY.  The school year is well on its way with over 150 children benefiting from our accredited, free preschool programs made possible by the generous support of so many in our community.  If you have the time, we would love for you to drop by for a quick tour of one of our centers.  Also, look for another story on the good work you are supporting at CFNC in the December issue of Washingtonian Magazine, which should hit newsstands in late November!  

Warm Regards, 

Barbara & the CFNC family
USA TODAY Highlights Impact of Economic Crisis on CFNC
Two CFNC boys dream bigThe Monday cover story of USA TODAY's Money section (read here) described the economic crisis as setting off "tremors among non-profits" as foundations and corporations cut back their philanthropic giving. These tremors have already reached us in so many ways, most notably and currently with our pending $350,000 grant from the Freddie Mac Foundation, as highlighted in the article.

We are so grateful for the generous support Freddie Mac has consistently shown CFNC each year since the foundation's inception, and we count on this yearly support to sustain us until winter revenue streams arrive from our holiday mailings and other grants. However, without these funds (or if they are drastically reduced), it will likely mean that we will have to close two classrooms, serving 32 families. This means that 32 children will lose their access to free early childhood education, will have to enter kindergarten unprepared and behind from the start, and that their parents will be forced to make the difficult decision between work and leaving their child in situations that are likely not in the child's best interest.

What you can do to help. All children in this community need and deserve high-quality early childhood education. Here are two ways you can help us to meet this urgent community need:

1. Invest in a Child's Education. With the current state of our economy, investing in our children through early childhood education is perhaps the soundest, surest investment you can make. Studies have shown that the return on investment is actually higher than the stock market (even in the best of times). Supporting our free preschool today means lower rates of violent crime, poverty, and incarceration, and higher rates of home ownership and high school graduation, which benefit us all as this generation reaches adulthood.  To make an investment in CFNC, just click on the link at the start of this paragraph.

2. Share this newsletter.  During these tough times, it is going to take a whole village of donors giving what they can to make up for the loss of larger philanthropic gifts from corporations and foundations hit hard by this crisis.  Take a moment to think of people you know who might be interested in learning more about CFNC, and forward this newsletter to them.  It's simple. Just click on the link "Share with a friend" located at the bottom of this email.

Boeing Employees Give Back
Boeing Volunteers Build Shed
This past Saturday, Boeing employees braved the rain and wind in order to help us paint our family resource room and build a shed on the playground at our Birchmere center. Undeterred by the weather conditions, they labored for five hours to improve the facilities of our Birchmere center which this year serves 54 families living in poverty. When asked what brought them out on a cool, wet day to paint and build, each of the volunteers, in their own way, cited the same reason:a desire "to give back." 

The shed Boeing employees constructed will be used to store playground equipment and outdoor toys, such as tricycles, easels, and hulahoops. The family resource room will serve as a place where parents can gain information about community resources and access the internet to search for jobs, etc.


Read More
CFNC Opens New Arlington Classroom
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
In November, CFNC will be opening a new classroom in Arlington that will provide 16 children with free, accredited preschool. The classroom will be located at the Arlington Housing Corporation's new affordable housing complex, The Gates of Ballston. AHC is a private, nonprofit developer of affordable housing in the mid-Atlantic region that provides quality homes for low- and moderate-income families. AHC is providing the classroom space rent-free for the first year.   

As the cost of living continues to rise and wages continue to decline during these difficult economic times, many low and moderate income families simply cannot afford to own a home. By partnering with AHC, CFNC is able to provide low-income residents with a safe, nurturing environment for their young children. Many low-income families do not own cars, so providing high-quality preschool and family support services where they live reduces the barriers these families face.


Read More

In Next Month's Newsletter
Two exciting things to look forward to in our next newsletter:

1. We will be officially announcing the location of our 25th Anniversary Gala celebration!

2. In an effort to make tours more accessible to our many supporters who work during our program hours, we will launch the first in a series of virtual tours that you will be able to view on-line.
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In This Issue
CFNC in USA TODAY
Boeing Employees Brave Rain, Build Shed
New Classroom Opens in Arlington
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
2008 Media Coverage

CFNC has been featured in multiple publications in 2008, which we believe is a testament to the high-quality of our programs and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of children.  If you missed any of the articles, you can read them below:

Northern Virginia Magazine, Jan. 2008

WETA, Feb. 2008

REAL SIMPLE Magazine, Sept. 2008

USA TODAY, Oct. 2008

Washingtonian,
Coming Soon!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Holiday Mailing
November 17th, 18th

Turkey Distribution
November 22nd

Clothing Distribution
December 5th

Learn more about how to volunteer with CFNC

Quick Links
 Featured Sponsors
Boeing

PNC Bank

The Cafritz Foundation

United Way
# 8401

CFNC Combined Federal Campaign Number
#86801

See a full listing of our other generous corporate, foundation, and government supporters.

See a listing of our generous individual donors.