This past week, we have been collectively re-living the horrors of past killings and saying out loud the names of those who have retreated from our tongues as a result of being replaced by yet another... yet another... yet another... death from abuse of power.

FAPAC cherishes the diversity of the community we serve. This diversity, however, makes it most challenging to give one message that applies to us all. As we see it, the responsibility for change rests with those of us who hold more power and privilege.

For those of us who are white and parenting Black children, we have to fully acknowledge that our children face a very different world every day than we do. We have a mandate to dig deeply into our own privilege in order to fully be present for our children and to walk their journey alongside of them. We have a mandate to speak out against injustices that happen to them, to others they care for, and to the larger Black community. We have a mandate to become truly, actively anti-racist.

We know that no one can define what speaking out means to each of us, and we are struggling with our own words right now. Each of us has to find our own way, starting with listening. Truly listening. Opening up to conversations that are hard, and deep, and perhaps confrontive. Making sure in our busy lives that we make space for the work that has to be done and that we look around to see where we fit. Not resting into complacency.

Yesterday, Kim Perry, the Executive Director of DC Action for Children, sent these suggested reading lists. We would like to pass them onto you. If you want to learn: How to become an anti-racist reading list. If you want to talk to your kids: Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance.

We will continue to be a stalwart resource for our community, providing guidance and taking action for the love of our children. If you have other ideas, please reach out.

With gratitude for our community and in solidarity and love,

Team FAPAC

We are accomplishing this by bringing all group support and training activities online. As we have been very much grounded in face-to-face interactions, this has created a learning curve for us, but families are responding well to the support and training piped into their living rooms.

We continue to work in close partnership with DC's Child and Family Services Agency to advocate for the needs of families as we navigate the waters of policy and practice change during this crisis. We are also committed to continue in our role as a primary vehicle for communication to families, relying on increased eblasts and electronic news transmission to replace in-person meetings and printed documents.

We are committed to serving our families through the challenges that face them---now and always.

We look to the day we will be able to safely again see you in person. Until then, please take care and contact us if you need us.ÊTo reach us, please call 202-269-9441 or email info@dcfapac.org.

Please stay healthy and safe,

The FAPAC team/div>