The Foreign Service Journal, January 2012

T he Community Service Program Embassy La Paz recently completed a long-term refurbishing of the Family Brigade at the San Pedro, La Paz police station. The facility serves as a safe location for victims of domestic violence in the San Pedro area, home to thousands of households. In February 2011, the Family Brigade took over a three-room office space in dire condition. There were loose floor boards, rat holes in the floors, doors that did not close, thin window panes that did not allow for privacy or warmth, walls full of holes and old paint, and wires hanging from the ceiling where light fixtures should have been. Furniture amounted to two old desks, a few chairs and two bunk beds. The unappealing condition of the location preventedwomen and children in need from seeking refuge there. After visiting the site and seeing firsthand the severe state of dilapidation, the CSP applied for and received a $3,000 grant from the J. Kirby Simon Foundation. Beginning in July, and workingmost weekends through Sep- tember, more than 50 members of the embassy community — including locally engaged staff, interns, direct hires and family members—completely renovated the space. The crews cleaned, patched and painted walls; covered floors with plywood sub- floors and new carpeting and installed baseboards; added elec- trical outlets and light fixtures; and built new doors with privacy window panes to help keep out the cold. Donations of furni- ture, supplies and support from the embassy’s Military Group and the Peace Corps completed the transformation. OnOct. 5, a teamof CSP volunteers andMilGroup represen- tatives attended the Family Brigade’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing of the space, hosted by the Bolivian police. After speeches from the police commander and embassy representa- tives, awards were bestowed on the head of the Family Brigade and several volunteers. The police band played several local songs, while everyone enjoyed celebrating a job well done. Now the women and children of San Pedro have a safe space to go for support and a place to stay in emergencies. The police- women staffing the facility have a safe, warm space in which to work; and much stronger bonds have been created among our embassy, the Bolivian police and the people of San Pedro. ❏ FSO Erin Sweeney is a member of the Community Service Program at Embassy La Paz. For more on the J. Kirby Simon Trust se e www.kirby simontrust.org/. 60 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 A F S A N E W S I n accordance withAFSA bylaws,AFSA has increased dues for 2012 by 2 percent for all individual membership categories to allow the association to meet the costs of our deepened serv- ices and expanded advocacy efforts. AFSA continues to keep rates as low as possible, and has not adjusted dues since January 2009. The increase is 1.6 percent less than the 3rd quarter Con- sumer Price Index published by the Department of Labor and used by the Social Security Administration to calculate the 2012 Cost of Living Adjustment increases. This modest adjustment, which translates on average into 3 cents per week per member, better positions AFSA to serve our members and advance member priorities. This is a critical time for AFSA to strengthen our legislative and advocacy capacity so that we continue to make our views heard in Congress on such vital matters as OCP and federal benefits. We will also invest in new technologies that will allow us to better serve and under- stand the unique needs of our members. Active-duty and retiredmembers paying dues via payroll and annuity deduction will see an automatic increase in the amount deducted from their paychecks and annuities. Those paying an- nually will be billed the new rate on their regularly scheduled re- newal date. To view the new dues rates please visit our website at www.afsa.org/benefits_of_membership.aspx an d click on your membership category: active-duty, retired or associate. Thank you for your membership in AFSA. ❏ A J. Kirby Simon Trust Grant Helps to Rebuild Hope in La Paz BY ERIN SWEENEY 2012 AFSA Dues Rates (Clockwise, top left) Community Service Program volunteers Jeff Sprag- gins, DAO; Olivia Mozdzierz, family member; Jessica Hartman, FSO; and (l to r) Claudio Castillo, Milgroup; Rebecca Graham, FSO; Kate Flachsbart, FSO; Jeff Spraggins; Erin Sweeney, FSO; and Keith Akins, family member, refurbishing police station in La Paz. PHOTOS BY ERIN SWEENEY