Dear FFC Supporters and Friends:
I want to begin by thanking each of our supporters and Board members for the time, energy, and financial commitments they have made over the past two years. Each of you have endured these 24 months in different ways, but one thing that remained constant was your dedication to the primary mission of the Foundation for Faces of Children. We understand the importance of maintaining connections throughout our craniofacial community so we expanded our social media presence via Instagram and Facebook, as well as through parent and young adult virtual meet ups. We plan to continue these opportunities to connect with the hope of resuming in-person programming in 2022.
I became involved with FFC over seven years ago after my son was born with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Since I personally have a repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate, I recognized that the journey forward for our son would be filled with a range of emotions and challenging moments. How we experience times of adversity with our children will either result in confidence building and fostering a positive self-image, or sow seeds of frustration and loss of self-esteem. With a loving and supportive network, these journeys will not only strengthen our child’s character, but will also arm them with resilience, kindness and perspective. The support and resources provided by FFC and related connections throughout the craniofacial community are invaluable for our families and their children.
The mission of FFC is to support the social, psychological, emotional, and educational needs of individuals affected by craniofacial differences and their families. Listed below are some of our planned activities and programs:
NEW for 2022 — Young Adult Virtual Meet Up: Join us via Zoom at 7 pm on the second Thursday of each month. Open to young adults 18 and over with a craniofacial condition, this relaxed virtual meet up offers an opportunity to meet new people, ask questions or just listen — whatever works for you!
Virtual Parent Support Groups: Our virtual parent support group meets via Zoom at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Connect with other parents and bring questions regarding your child’s diagnosis, school issues and newborn care. Share your concerns and emotional challenges as we discuss wide-ranging parenting issues. Parents of ALL craniofacial conditions across ALL ages are welcome.
FFC Cares Grant: Children with craniofacial anomalies often require many medical appointments and hospitalizations. FFC Cares is a pilot program to defray travel and associated expenses for families seeking care in any of the 11 American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) approved care centers in New England.
Annual Scholarship Awards: Each year, exceptional young adults in New England who were born with facial differences are recognized by FFC for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities. The Foundation grants scholarships honoring four of our founders to assist recipients in attending their post-secondary institution of choice.
Retreat Sponsorship: FFC sponsors New England families at the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA) Annual Family Retreat and Educational Symposium. Held in a different city each year, the CCA “Cher Retreat” provides individuals affected by a facial difference, their siblings, and parents an opportunity to interact with others who have similar experiences. Families share ideas, problems, and solutions and make life-long friendships..
Camp Reflections Sponsorship: Located in New Hampshire, Camp Reflections is open to children with facial differences aged 8-16 and their siblings. FFC grants multiple scholarships annually to participants in this unique week-long summer camp.
Social Events: FFC provides a variety of opportunities for individuals with craniofacial conditions and their families to meet and connect with other families. These programs include sports events, art workshops, bowling, the Making Faces workshop, movie screenings and FFC’s annual Paces for Faces walk. Our activities during 2021 were virtual, but we look forward to resuming in-person programming during 2022.
Educational Seminars and Workshops: FFC provides educational and informational seminars for families on various topics including speech and language, dental treatment and timing, insurance obstacles, and psychological support and coping skills for children with facial differences.
Without your continuing financial support, these programs would not be possible, I ask you to consider the future needs of the Foundation and the support it provides to children with craniofacial differences and their families. Any gift, no matter the size, is valued and appreciated. All contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible.
Please note that we are always looking for engaged parents, with new ideas and experiences, willing to actively join the Board, so that we may continue to make each year better than the one before.
Michael C. Greiner
President and Board Member, Foundation for Faces of Children
