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JANUARY 2025 - HAPPY NEW YEAR |
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Make a Difference: Mentoring Creates Instant Friends, Lasting Connections for FCCS Children and Teens
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
 You can see it in the pictures: mentor Jarrett Rardon and his 7-year-old mentee Zidane were instant friends when they first met.
Connected through Franklin County Children Services’ new 60 for Six mentoring program last summer, the two hit it off from the start and have already built a special bond. And during National Mentoring Month in January, the agency is hoping to replicate more of these important mentoring relationships.
With the overwhelming success of our first 60 for Six mentorship cohort, we’re excited to announce that our recruitment for 2025 is now underway!
60 for Six is designed to bring together 60 dedicated, caring adults to learn and serve as mentors over a six-month period with young people who are involved with FCCS.
Take the first step by completing the 60 for Six interest form.
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Thank You, Franklin County: Holiday Wish 2024 Provides Gifts, Love to Thousands
 For more than 60 years, supportive community members have granted the wishes of children through the Holiday Wish program at Franklin County Children Services. And in 2024, this generosity was following once again - especially at our annual Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Brilliance events.
Because of your support, children and teens connected to FCCS received more than gifts. For many, it was a family experience not to be forgotten. For others, it was an opportunity to connect with caring mentors and community partners.
Thank you, Franklin County, for helping us provide gifts for thousands of youth and adding some magic into the holidays for our families.
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Talking to Teens about Cyberbullying, Sextortion: Parenting Tips to Strengthen All Families
 Franklin County Children Services - in partnership with NBC4 and Urban One - is strengthening all families with parenting tips you can use with your teen. This month, it’s all about cyberbullying and social media predators.
Sextortion is real and dangerous. Our partners at Unite for Safe Social Media suggest that if your teen is threatened, take screen captures and reach out for help.
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Stronger Families, Impactful Partners, Supportive Communities Honored with National Family Week
 Celebrating how families do better when they live in communities that are committed to helping them succeed, Franklin County Children Services recognized the annual National Family Week by honoring several families and community partners.
“Strong families are the first foundation to protecting children, and tonight we will hear powerful stories of how families have become stronger than ever,” offered FCCS Executive Director Chip Spinning, echoing the agency’s Call to Action of strengthening all families.
FOSTER HOPE HOLIDAY FEST
This event truly lived up to its name. Sponsored by our generous partners at One Church, the Foster Hope Holiday Fest connected teens in our care with resources, supports, and hope.
The event at COSI brought together more than a dozen community partners whose services would be helpful for teens (15 years old and up) who are transitioning out of foster care, including mental health resources, activations around critical life skills such as financial basics and job-readiness, and exposure to career opportunities.
For two of our teens, the event included a special "ready for a job interview" outfit from our partners at Macy's. COSI also contributed free one-year family memberships to attendees.
Check out more of our FCCS Community Engagement by following us on Facebook.
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