Dear Members and Friends,
For our 20th anniversary year I think we must have suffered the wettest Spring and early Summer for many years! Unfortunately the interminable rain prevented us from holding our Annual Picnic on 27th April and on our back up date of 4thMay. I know many of you and your children will have been disappointed but do not despair! We hope September weather will be kinder to us so we plan to hold the Annual Picnic on Sat 21st September. Please put it in your diaries now!
We hope that all of you who have registered will still be able to come but if not you will be refunded. Do pass the word around ~ we may attract even more families to join in the fun in September!
STOP PRESS!
Our 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner will be held on 7th November at Club Lusitano’s, Icehouse Street, Central. We will have a fascinating and empowering evening with the founders of AFHK kindly sharing their families’ Life journeys with us. Please put the date in your diary and do invite family and friends to join you! Watch this space for more details….
A few bits of news from the Steering Committee:-
- Louise Garnaut has now stepped out of Events into the co-Chair role. Thanks Louis
- Ember Goldstein, our Treasurer ,is now not leaving for Singapore, however she is taking up another role as Communications Officer after the summer once we have found a replacement treasurer.
- If you are good with figures, are organised and feel you have time to commit please send us an email. We need a new Treasurer urgently!
As part of our Friday night at the movies series, last Friday May 31st, we screened Somewhere Between, a documentary film by Linda Goldstein Knowlton that examines what it is like to come-of-age as a trans-racial adoptee in today's America. It’s had rave reviews online & our AFHK audience & friends agreed with that. If you missed it you can find more information online at http://www.somewherebetweenmovie.com/
Before you pack your bags and head off for the summer please don’t forget that we have a few fun and interesting events to close our season:-
Wed June 5th : A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Treating a Family with Attachment Issues, Trauma, and Special Needs.
This is a Special Professional Case Discussion for those working with Adoptive or Foster Care Families, Children at Risk, and/or Children with Trauma or Loss.
Frid 7th June: Take A Breath: Brain-Based Strategies to Help Your Child Manage Emotion, Reduce Stress and Increase Optimism
An inspiring workshop to help us all enjoy our family holidays more ~ held at our usual PSM Friday venue!
John Shanahan and Justine Roche will discuss mindfulness and the underlying neurological processes that impact our emotions and behaviours. They will share strategies that families can use to help children increase attention, reduce stress and infuse family life with joy, optimism and mindful connection.
Plus time for teens to let off steam and enjoy the sun and sea before we all split off to various parts of the world for our hols:
Sat 15th June: Teen Beach BBQ, VRC Beach Club, Sai Kung 2-6pm HK$200 per person – they can bring a friend too for the same price.
Please do check out the website for full details of each venue and register online!
I would like to thank you all for supporting AFHK through donations, sponsorship, volunteering and participating. All AFHK events and activities are made possible by a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers. If you have an idea for a new activity or event please consider joining our dynamic committee and be part of our success. WE WELCOME YOU!
And finally, we cannot break up for the summer without recognizing the dedication and passion with which our Steering Committee members contribute to the success of AFHK. I would like to thank all my colleagues on the Steering Committee who work hard to ensure AFHK continues to hold events at which you and your family can find friendship, support and hopefully answers too!
Have a wonderful summer!
Mina Weight ~ Co-Chair and External Relations
June 2013
