Spotlight on Alina Hernandez

We asked Alina a few questions to get to know her better.

What is your new role at FAPAC?

As an intern at FAPAC, I will be assisting the team members in creating a program for foster, kinship, and adoptive parents to promote a safe and successful transition to adulthood from youths’ current living environment. This will include educating families on the importance of self-identity, self-determination, and self-esteem, as well as interpersonal relationships and life skills such as financial and home management.

Can you tell us more about the educational program you are in?

I am currently a 3rd year occupational therapy doctoral student at Howard University. The role of an occupational therapist (OT) is to promote independence and success in an individual’s daily living activities. An OT can help to manage physical and mental health needs and aid in developing healthy daily routines to increase overall well-being. This can include hands-on interventions, education, and providing resources.

What do you hope to learn more about and achieve at FAPAC?

I hope to learn more about the foster care system and how I can best support foster youth transitioning into adulthood. I want to learn about the experiences foster youth endure and what their most important needs are in relation to occupational therapy and their overall well-being. I hope to work collaboratively with foster youth and their families to create a program that will benefit everyone and fill gaps in the areas of need.

What drew you to FAPAC?

My mother is a social worker and I grew up volunteering alongside her at foster care events and learning about the foster care system through her professional lens. I was drawn to FAPAC because of the work they do to advocate and support foster, kinship, and adoptive families, especially families of color, which is an area that is often overlooked and underserved. By learning more about the support systems in place, I hope to create a program that best serves this community.

Anything else we should know about you?

I grew up in Massachusetts but have lived in DC for almost three years. I love it here and want to continue to support this community as an occupational therapist upon graduation!

Spotlight on Holly Lincoln

We asked Holly Lincoln, our Board Vice President, a few questions to get to know her better.

What drew you to FAPAC? When did you start getting involved?

I started attending FAPAC trainings in 2017 as a new foster parent. FAPAC helped me meet other foster parents, learn new skills, and advocated for issues that were affecting my first three placements. Since we adopted our son in 2020, we have continued to foster. I started volunteering with FAPAC to give back to this important organization and help other resource families. I joined the board in 2022 and was just elected Vice President in October.

What do some of your responsibilities look like as Vice President?

In my new role as Board VP, I will serve as a back-up to Toni Jackson, the new Board President, in her duties. One of my focus areas is working on advocacy issues that affect families involved in the DC child welfare system – including systemic issues that resource parents raise, CFSA policies, and legislation at the local and national levels. I’ll also continue to help with fundraising and events… and anything else that comes up!

What other work are you involved in outside of FAPAC?

My day job is at the Department of Justice, in the Civil Rights Division.

What has been one of your favorite memories/experiences with FAPAC?

The creation of the resource parent mentoring program is huge. Having strong peer connections helps resource parents in so many ways – mentors can answer newer resource parents’ questions in real time, teach them how to navigate the system, encourage them to advocate for resources, and offer support during the most difficult parts of fostering. All of that makes people better resource parents and really helps the kids in their care.

I also loved meeting and hearing from the awardees at last year’s beautiful Gala – there are so many exceptional youth, inspiring birth and resource parents, and strong advocates working to help families affected by foster care.

Spotlight on Andrea Florez Merchan

We asked Andrea, our Administrative Assistant, a few questions to get to know her better.

What prompted you to join FAPAC?

I was motivated to join FAPAC by a combination of curiosity and a deep-seated desire to delve into the world of non-profit work. Throughout my professional journey, I’ve always felt drawn to roles where my efforts could have a positive impact on others. FAPAC presented an opportunity to immerse myself in the foster care community, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of such a meaningful endeavor. Working alongside this organization has brought immense satisfaction, as it allows me to contribute to programs that truly make a difference in the lives of families and children in need.

What do some of your responsibilities look like as the administrative assistant?

As an administrative assistant, my primary responsibilities include office management, scheduling and calendar maintenance, email and correspondence management, data entry, phone calls, document preparation, filing and record-keeping, meeting support, and assisting with special projects and events.

What other work were you involved in prior to joining FAPAC?

Before joining FAPAC, I had a diverse background in different roles. As an environmental engineer, I worked as a staff scientist in environmental consulting in West Virginia, where I gained experience in environmental assessments and compliance. Additionally, I served as a field director in a political campaign, where I honed my leadership and organizational skills while managing campaign activities. These prior experiences have equipped me with a valuable skill set and diverse perspective that I can bring to my role at FAPAC.

As a new member of the FAPAC team, what are you most looking forward to?

I’m passionate about learning more about non-profit organizations and their vital role in supporting vulnerable populations, and I’m enthusiastic about contributing to the betterment of the foster care system and the lives of foster children. Being part of an organization with a mission that aligns with my interests and values is incredibly motivating, and I’m excited to work collaboratively to bring positive change to the lives of those in need.

Spotlight on Toni Jackson

We asked Toni Jackson, our Board President, a few questions to get to know her better.

How did you get involved with FAPAC?

I just wanted to be a Momma and help children enjoy childhood! One of my best friends from college (Howard University) is a social worker and directed me to foster care. I attended the DC government Child & Family Services Agency (CFSA) orientation, then later a training to learn more about foster care. However, I still did not have a grasp on what to expect from children placed in care and answers to real life questions once I become a foster parent. At CFSA’s training, a couple referred me to FAPAC, a non-profit that was more hands-on, informative, and supportive navigating the “in and outs” of foster care. FAPAC offered an eight-week foster parent training course, which I attended and met several foster and adoptive parents along with their children. Here, I learned the process of foster care, what to expect, and heard real life experiences and circumstances surrounding children in care and how parents managed raising these children. FAPAC gave me the knowledge and understanding that better prepared me for a placement. Ironically, twins were placed with me on the last day of class. FAPAC is the reason I’m a proud adoptive mother of those twins! Without the knowledge, guidance, and care FAPAC provided, I would have dropped out thinking I didn’t have what it takes.

What do some of your responsibilities look like as Board Vice Chair?

Fundraising, functional support of the Executive Director in current/new programs, organizing event locations and vendors for board meetings and special events, representing FAPAC through press and local news interviews, informing and maintaining cohesiveness amongst the board, collaborating with the Executive Director, and attending meetings with partners, stakeholders, CFSA Executives, District Council, and Mayoral Leadership.

What other work are you involved in outside of FAPAC?

Being a single mom of nine-year-old twins is a lot of work! Nonetheless, I continue to foster emergency and short term placements. I am a landlord, property manager, and also work with the Four Seasons Hotel.

How has being a foster parent shaped your board experience?

Being a foster parent has shaped my board experience in that I can speak knowledgeably, confidently, and unwaveringly when discussing the needs, supports, services, and engagement required for foster parents, as well as for the children and youth in our homes. I love talking with fellow foster parents and sharing our experiences, as listening to others has bettered my ways of managing my household and helping others. As parenting experiences differ from infants, toddlers, teens, and young adults, I can only be a sharp board member by staying actively involved as a foster parent. As a board member, my role is to ensure FAPAC operates in support of its mission professionally, honorably, respectfully, and that it is constantly funded so it can sustain itself and continue trainings, services, and programs. Ultimately, making sure FAPAC is available, operable, and productive to support children, parents and families! My dual role of foster parent/board member allows balance of an inside parenting perspective and outside business perspective that ensures crucial parenting concerns/needs are met while maintaining a business model that upholds FAPAC as a financially-sound non-profit organization. For over 22 years, FAPAC has served not only foster and adoptive families– as originally intended– but has grown to also offer programs in support of birth parents and caregivers (kin) of children in foster care. Through reunification, guardianship, adoption, and for young adults aging out, FAPAC is working on new programs to support the entire foster care community.

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