The Child & Family Network Centers

Presently, I am an intern at CFNC and I am amazed with the level of dedication, commitment and service they are providing to at risk children and their families. As an aspiring social work professional, CFNC is contributing immensely in shaping my future through the experience and practical education they are giving me. My desire to become a social worker is rekindled by these group of selfless individuals who are changing lives daily.

The staff are providing a lot of information to the parents about government programs that they can benefit from, but some of the parents don’t know about the availability of such programs. There are many programs out there for helping people who are less privilege and CFNC staff are providing those kinds of information to deserving people.

On “why we do” section in its website, CFNC states that, “We are steadfast in our belief that the pathway out of poverty begins with early intervention, in 30 years we have learned that early childhood education programs have a greater impact on the education trajectory of children living in poverty when they include services that foster self-sufficient families”. I can vehemently vouch that CFNC is truly following every word in this statement and in all its mission and vision.
I would add that the staff are willing to answer all my questions even when they are ridiculous. They are so helpful.

I am currently interning with the Child and Family Network Centers and I love it here. Everyone who works here is extremely warm and welcoming. I am very proud to be a part of this organization and this has been one of the best opportunities I have experienced.

I am an intern at CFNC and the moment that I walked through the door, I felt comfortable and welcome. All the teachers and staff members are very dedicated and I know they desire to improve the lives of the children they interact with daily. The work that is done here is inspiring and done whole-heartedly. The staff members work hard to help people in the surrounding communities. The staff members have been very helpful, answering all my questions and guiding me throughout my experience. They have always been available to talk with me, despite their busy schedules, and I appreciate their willingness to help me and listen to me. It is evident that they truly value every person who walks through the door. I always enjoy helping at CFNC, because I feel like I am making a difference. I now know that the bonds that I have formed with some of these workers will last a long time; they are not only my colleagues, they are my friends. I have become very comfortable in my new environment and I could not be more grateful for the kindness that has been showed to me at CNFC. It truly is a blessing and a life-changing experience to help at CFNC!

As a former staff member, then volunteer and donor, I can say with certainty that the teachers at CFNC are top notch. They not only dedicate themselves to the children whole heartedly, they also make a profound difference in the lives of each child they serve. Witnessing the growth of the children between the first day of school, and once they graduate after one year of preschool, is monumental. The students leave CFNC more academically advanced than their peers, they are socially well adjusted, ready for kindergarten, and their whole family is stronger as a result. The primary reason I will continue to donate to CFNC while living across the country is because CFNC's programs invest in the entire family. The devoted social workers support the parents and siblings to ensure a successful academic foundation for everyone. This is a top notch program and I wish every child could experience preschool like this.

As one of our charity partners, the staff of CFNC has been phenomenal to work with-. Year after year, they come out in great numbers to help us prepare for our annual race. Their energy and desire to support our event is to be admired. The staff has been great. I've gotten to a know a few them by working along side them during our volunteer shifts. Overall, they are individuals with a heart to serve, compassionate and are even looking to develop themselves further by not only working at CFNC but attending school to acquire additional degrees. This says a lot about their commitment to their jobs and desire for excellence. I'm happy to know we can count on CFNC each year for support.

Members of the leadership at CFNC frequently thank me for my contributions as a board member. I am fairly certain they don't understand what an honor it is to be a member of the Board of Directors. It is truly a great organization providing a much needed resource for children of families in need. I am blessed to be allowed to be a part of this organization. You have to see it in person to believe such a high quality service is provided to our students at no cost. Just amazing.

Very few humans desire to be dependent upon others for life. The rest merely lack the tools to become independent. At Child & Family Network Centers, we provide no-cost preschool and family services to the working poor who desire more than anything to educate their children to become successful adults. Our outcomes are astounding, as we prepare our precious 4-year-olds for a world of learning at the kindergarten level and beyond. From our staff to our volunteers to our board and to our funders, CFNC has significantly altered the trajectory of thousands of children and their families in its 30-year history. And I should know, as Board Chair for more than a decade.

I am a CFNC board member and volunteer with CFNC and am deeply touched by the mission of this organization and the impact of our program and services. I learned about CFNC from neighbors and friends in Alexandria, VA and went to visit one of the preschool classrooms. Once I entered that classroom, I was hooked! The teachers are gifted and care so much about supporting these at-risk children in our community with an evidence-based curriculum that delivers results. CFNC pre-school children are ready for kindergarten by the time they graduate and are positioned for success at school. The staff at CFNC is passionately committed to supporting the families we serve with social services programs in addition to the preschool program their children attend. CFNC is making a difference in our community every day!

All staff members are remarkably dedicated and the CFNC's mission is visible in all their hard work.

I am a volunteer at CFNC and they are doing a remarkable job and the mission of the organization is evident in its staff!! I enjoy volunteering for this organization and i am excited in being a small part of an organization which does so much for children and their families.

I am a P/T weekly volunteer. I remain amazed at the continued dedication and hard work of the teachers and all the office staff members propelling CFNC's operations . Their commitment to the children is so noticeable. The selfless spirit of how and why the organization was formed is also the way the staff are. CFNC is truly a blessing with its excellent learning curriculum. It is indeed a pleasant place for children to be. I would definitely recommend the school.

I try to enroll my child here, but they keep putting me on waiting list or changing the date to start. When I come, I see boss yell at the workers.

I am more than thankful to all the members of CFNC. Their hard work and dedication to our children is noticeable in every smile, every hug and every painting my child does at school. The warm welcoming every morning from the teachers is a peace of mind for me as a mother, my child loves to go to school, she looks forward to share new songs and stories every day with her friends and teachers. My social worker is the most kind and beautiful person. By far, CFNC has exceeded my expectations and I would recommended to anyone. Thank you CFNC for all your hard work!

I helped out recently with the Child and Family Network Center's Hispanic Cultural Celebration. It is incredible that we have an organization with a fantastic group of enthusiastic people. Their dedication to their students, the families, and the community is truly inspiring and amazing. I look forward to future volunteer opportunities with this wonderful organization.

I enjoyed my time volunteering with CFNC during both 2013 and 2012 at their multicultural heritage days. I am continually inspired by the positive difference CFNC is able to make in the lives of these 'at-risk' children. What a blessing to have this organization in our community here in Alexandria!

I have been volunteering as a photographer for the Child and Family Network Centers' cultural celebrations for the past two years. It is always a pleasure volunteering for this agency because the staff is EXTREMELY warm and friendly; and the children are very pleasant to work with. This agency's efforts to introduce and educate the students and their families about other cultures is very commendable. The celebrations are always well-coordinated, enjoyable and informative.

I love volunteering here. The kids are always engaged. The non-English speaking kids will be hard for me to speak with at the beginning of the year, and we can engage in natural conversation by the end of the year. These kids are getting ready for kindergarten and the Child & Family Network Centers is doing a fantastic job.

My son goes to preschool at the Child and Family Network Centers. My son is very happy at his "escuelita" as he calls it. I as a mom, am very satisfied with the progam. I feel very happy that a program as excellent as this one exists. Also, I am very satisfied with the excellent instruction that the children recieve so that when they enter kindergarten they will be prepared. The Child and Family Network Centers is a very good organization and I feel privileged that my son attends. I feel at peace because I know that I am leaving my son in a good place. In addition to the instruction that they give, they offer a safe and secure envionment. Thank you for existing. Thank you to the people who help keep this school in existence. I am also thankful for everyone who works at the Child and Family Network Centers for the help and care of my son.

My son learned a lot. When my son was here I participated in the paid parent program and was able to get a job here. It was good for my son. He learned a lot so I was happy to bring my second child here. I highly recommend the school.

I thank God for having put this marvelous school in my path. To all of the people who work there, thank you for all of the help that you have given to all of us who need it. Thank you for dedicating your time to listen to us and our problems; and help us to resolve them. Thank you to the teachers for having the virtue to have the patience and dedication to educate everyday our children, who are the future of this country. I am very grateful because since my son has started, he is a very different person. He has learned so much. He has become more intelligent and relates more with other people. For all of the education, I am very thankful. To everybody, I recommend that you help this school. In it, we have found great support of all kinds. It is like our second home- that's what my son says. In it, I have found great security to be able to talk about all of my problems. I am very very thankful to know everyone at the school. Thank you to this preschool that is a great example for the Latino community and a great help to all of us.

This is my second experience with the school. I like how my daughters are growing and the quality of education. I recommend this school.

I am writing this regarding the child anf Family Network Centers to let you know how grateful I am and how happy I am regarding the noteable progress I've seen in my son. I am sure that they are forming a secure future for him that the school and our family can be proud of. Very thankfully, LGarcia

I benefitted from the aftercare provided and my daughter was well prepared for kindergarten. She brings home all stars on her schoolwork. My son has also learned a lot.

Fue algo maravilloso. Mi hijo aprendio mucho con las maestras y companeros. Fue lo mas bello, mis experiencias jamas se olvidan. It was something marvelous. My son learned a lot with the teachers and classmates. It was beautiful, my experiences will never be forgotten.

Mis hijos aprendieron mucho. Fue algo maravilloso. Jamas lo vamos a olvidar, el personel muy amable. My children learned a lot. It was something wonderful. We will never forget. The personnel is very kind.

Yo me siento agradecida el personal. Con todo, con la manera que me han ayuda con mi hijo. I feel grateful with all the staff. With everything, especially the way they have helped me with my son.

I am currently a volunteer intern at CFNC. I have learned so much since I've been here and seen just how beneficial a quality free preschool education is for our students. Most of the students are Native Spanish speakers. I have seen firsthand children that came to the school not speaking any English who now speak almost exclusively in English at school. Seeing how much these children are growing and progressing educationally is nothing short of amazing. This is the most rewarding internship I have ever had.

I am currently interning at CFNC as a Clinical Social Work student and the experience has been amazing. It's a very well-rounded agency and preschool program. I really believe the program is one of a kind because it not only helps the children academically and developmentally, it also provides support and clinical services (as needed) to the parents and the family as a whole. It takes a very holistic approach to preparing children and parents for Kindergarten (and beyond).

,y son Jetziel was a student at the school from 2011-2012. The teacher-student experience was magnificent. Throughout the school we could actually see the progress that our son was making. The teacher-parent experience was magnificent also as with everything that could or would be an issue was informed to us and we were always kept up to date with the progress that our son was making. The teachers demonstrate their caring nature and emotional involvement, as these are things that shine through with our son in how much he still acres for and respects his previous teachers, Mrs.Arnita and Mrs.Luz. His social worker Miss G is an outstanding resource and person as any situation that we presented to her pertaining to our family, she was always available and had all the answers to help resolve our problems. The fact that these teachers and staff still reach out to us, show us the caring nature and engagement of the staff. We could only wish that all schools had half the staff like the Child and Family Network.

my child went to this school and he learned so much from his teachers. this school provided quality care for my child for free when i needed it the most!

I had the pleasure of having my children attend The Children and Family Network Center this summer at the Birchmere location. All of their staff members from social workers down to the teachers are definitely top notch. They actually genuinely care about the kids and their families. Even with so much on their plates, I find it amazing that CFNC’s staff are prepared daily to support families, actively listen, answer all questions and concerns without the feeling of being rushed. They teach fun filled educational curriculum that stimulates growth and development, and the sweet warm atmosphere is the icing on the cake. I would definitely recommend this program to many. I thank you all very much for your help and love.

Allen Strattonbey III

I first learned about CFNC through my church during Christmas when I participated in an Adopt-A-Family program that paired members of the church with children and their families of the center. CFNC had been kind enough to let me know how touched the family was of the gifts I had given.

As the new school year approached the following summer and I saw other charities requesting donations for school supplies I thought maybe CFNC might have a need. I recalled how I made a difference in the life of the one child and her family at Christmas and thought how a similar gift to CFNC could impact the lives of so many more children. So I obtained their school supply wish list and purchased a few of the items. When I arrived at CFNC to deliver the items the staff was so kind and gracious about my gift. Since classes were not back for the fall semester they invited me back for a tour later in the fall, which I later took them up on, and I was able to see for myself the children using the supplies all while learning. Words can not express how exhilarating and rewarding the whole experience was for me.

I was fortunate enough to be able to make a similar gift again this year and once again it was such a rewarding experience.

Who would have thought how something as simple as a box of crayons can change the life of a child?

After participating in CFNC's ESL classes, Mr. Natividad Jesus Oreyana wrote the following review of CFNC's ESL/Family Literacy Instructor and ESL/Family Literacy Program (translated from Spanish):
I am Mr. Natividad Jesus Oreyana and I have had the pleasure to know CFNC's ESL Instructor, Ms. Eugenie, for three years. She is an excellent teacher. Thanks to her, many people have learned and I thank her for teaching my class. I think that it would be better for us if we could extend the class time so that we could learn more English, as it is a necessity in this country in order to find a job.