Community Family Life Services

Step aside Cancun, Negril and Miami Beach! Alternative Spring Breaks are now all the rave among college and high school students across the country. Thousands of students have opted to forgo fun in the sun and to instead spend what used to be a week of pure partying, in service to the community.

Community Family Life Services was spring break destination for a group of six Howard University freshmen and juniors who served at the organization from March 16-20 as part of Howard University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Courtney, Lori, Brandon, Ariel, Mazee and Tannishea arrived on Monday March 16 and were warmly received by CFLS Executive Director, Claudia Thorne and staff. The students immediately felt right at home as they soon learned that many of the staff were Howard Alums. They were then given an orientation of the organization - they learned about the history of CFLS, its clients and many of its core programs.

The students spent the week providing invaluable assistance to CFLS and its staff, painting, cleaning and helping at the reception desk and with other administrative tasks. Their main project however was painting the basement. That week the mostly quiet basement area was transformed into a lively, vibrant hub of music, friendly chatter, laughter and new paint smell. The students did an exceptional job in painting the main area in the development department and the entire basement hallway.

The students received continuous praise from clients and visitors for the professional

work they did and for devoting their spring break to serving the community. On their last day at CFLS the students were treated to a Thank You reception/ceremony where

Executive Director Thorne presented each student with a certificate of appreciation, a hug and an open invitation to visit CFLS at anytime. The students in turn expressed their gratitude at being given the opportunity to serve and promised to return. One student

has already signed up to help with the planning of our 40^th Anniversary Gala.

On behalf of CFLS we would like to sincerely thank the Howard University students for their week of service to us and the community. We would also like to thank

Home Depot for their generous donation of paint and painting supplies.

Superstars shine wit

Barbara's annual get together was held on March 16 after an unexpected late winter storm on March 2 forced the host to postpone what has now become a much anticipated event. Every year Barbara Halpern graciously hosts a brunch for her team of volunteers who serve year round in the clothing store at Community Family Life Services.

Dr. Martin Mencke, Pastor of the German Lutheran Church where many of the volunteers worship led the prayer. Claudia Thorne, Executive Director of CFLS gave a brief talk about the organization and thanked the women for giving so generously of their time in service to CFLS and our clients. For over 20 years the ladies from the German Lutheran Church have consistently served at CFLS' for much of this time Barbara has been coordinating the wonderful team of volunteers who manage the clothing store on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

As usual it was a warm, friendly affair as volunteers got to meet each other and welcome new members to the group.

On behalf of CFLS we would like to express our sincere thanks to Barbara and her team for their continued service and support.

Great Time of Fellowship at Barbaras

40th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Auction

Honoring our Founders

Marie C. Johns, Honorary Chair

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Organization of American States

17th Street & Constitution Avenue

Washington, DC 20006

6:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.

(Valet Parking Available)

Business Attire * Sponsorships Available * RSVP by April 15th, 2009

cflsevents@cflsdc.org (202) 347-0511 Ext. 205

CFLS is pleased to announce that we will be honoring our founders at our 40^th

We are truly grateful for the vision and leadership of our founders who created this organization in service to the community. Over the many years CFLS has evolved to meet the changing needs of the homeless and low-income families, individuals and children throughout the city.

The annual gala and auction is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our clients with our neighbors, friends and supporters - and a great means of raising funds necessary to serve all our clients.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to become a sponsor of this milestone event. Sponsor levels range from Amethyst at $250.00 to Diamond Sponsor at $25,000. As a sponsor, you will receive many benefits including an invitation to a

private pre-dinner reception where you will have an opportunity to meet our Board of Directors and Founders. More importantly, as a sponsor of this event you will send a

powerful message to others about your commitment to prevent and end homelessness in the nations capital. For more information click here.

As we celebrate 40 years of service we would like to renew our commitment to our mission to provide clients with the tools they need to move themselves beyond poverty and homelessness into permanent self-sufficiency.

Thanks for your friendship and support. We are excited about this event and hope that you will be able to join us! For more information about the Gala, please contact Donna Purchase at