The Foreign Service Journal, December 2004

S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT 72 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 C ounterintuitive as it seems to most parents, returning to the United States is often the most difficult move for our children. Though the years in the Washington area may be the strangest years in a lifetime of exotic locations, FS children can still benefit from the efforts made on their behalf. In this cyber age, the Foreign Service Youth Foundation sponsors a perpetual virtual club house — and a tangible place for kids who are in the DC area. The FSYF is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1989 to inform and assist Foreign Service youth and their families with their internationally mobile lifestyle. FSYF’s youth development programs include a myriad of educa- tional and social activities. Through the FSYF pro- grams children discuss pertinent issues such as returning to the U.S., coping with the first week of school, making new friends, preparing for a move, saying goodbye and staying in touch. For 5-to-8-year-old FS children, “Diplokids” pro- vides a fun place to meet other kids who have lived around the world. The pre-teen group, “Globe Trotters,” meets for social activities and hosts transition, leadership training and re-entry workshops. The oldest group, “AWAL (Around the World in a Lifetime),” for FS teens, includes the elements of the other programs and a community service project (funded by a grant from the Una Chapman Cox Foundation). This year’s communi- ty service project is dedicated to introducing refugee children to American life. FSYF sponsors many other activities including the FSYF community service awards, annual wel- come-back potluck picnic, parenting programs and the Kid Video Contest (in conjunction with FSI’s Transition Center). FSYF membership is $30 for three years per FS family. For more information on FSYF’s activities, go to its Web site, www.fsyf.org, or e-mail fsyf@fsyf.org. Fore i gn Serv i ce You t h Founda t i on