The year 2008 marks the beginning of our twenty-first year of operation or the very beginning of our third decade. By many standards we are a young agency. I sometimes look with envy at agencies that have been around for 100 years or even 50 years. It’s hard to imagine how that kind of history would shape the mission and vision of the agency. So our legacy is shorter but by no means less passionate. Our mission, To Be the Children’s Safety Net and our vision to become the Gold Standard for Children’s Services continues to guide us as we provide services to children and families.

2008 was an extremely productive year. It began with the completion of our Council on Accreditation site visit which resulted in another four years of accreditation for all of our programs. After the completion of COA, we embarked on our Holiday Children’s Party. A committee comprised of members of our Board and Staff put together a wonderful event for all of our foster and adoptive children. There were tables where the children could create decorations for all the winter holidays: Christmas; Chanukah and Kwanza. The UNM Lobo Soccer team came for the event and after a lot of hard work blowing up soccer balls, each child received one which was then autographed by the team!

Our strategic plan created several work groups, one of which is aimed at enhancing our community recognition. The group assisted with the updating of our web site, an ongoing process, and organizing our first fund raising event. Hillary Smith and her daughter Lyric, backed up by three other musicians, played the afternoon of August 18, 2008 at Vivace, Your Nob Hill Trip to Italy. The food was excellent, and the wine, compliments of Vivace, was extraordinary. We watched the premier showing of La Familia’s video which was recorded and prepared by Ramona Emerson of Jerry Goffe Visual Services. A showing of our children’s art and a silent auction were other highlights. Everyone expressed their pleasure at sharing the afternoon with one another, all for the benefit of La Familia.

Building a community for our foster and adoptive families remains one of our goals, and the fun that we have as we celebrate the year helps sustain our community. We continue to work with CYFD, NM Medicaid, HSD, our Local Collaborative and other providers as we build a System of Care for families and children in New Mexico. Safety, permanency and well-being continue to guide our work with all the children and families that come to us.

We are grateful and honored by our many donors who support us and in doing so, support children and families. United Way of Central NM continues to help fund our Equine Assisted Therapy Program, and many donor option gifts also come to us through United Way. The funds that we raise go to provide the essentials of a normal childhood to the children in our care. Everything from food and clothing to infant car seats, or the chance to be a cheerleader, go to a dance class, play Tee Ball or attend summer camp is paid for by donors.

I have the privilege to present La Familia’s 2008 Annual Report. With your support, we continue to grow in our mission to be “The Children’s Safety Net”.