Dear All,

I want to express our community's strength, generosity, and unity.

AAFSW has seeded the Foreign Affairs Support Network (FASN)’s Moises Mendoza Peer Support Training Fund, partnering with the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at the University of Colorado. And we do so in tribute to Moises Mendoza, our Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) Chair. His example continues to guide our work, and I am grateful to the FASN team for their leadership in bringing this initiative forward. I am equally grateful to our AAFSW members and donors. Your support makes efforts like this possible.

We are also moving ahead with the SOSA Impact Report from a generous funding of the Una Chapman Cox Foundation. In partnership with the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST), we will be conducting short interviews with SOSA Awardees. These conversations will help us capture the real impact of the SOSA Awards and highlight American values and the extraordinary volunteerism that strengthens our Foreign Affairs community around the world.

Our Coffee Mornings have become a welcoming space for families, Eligible Family Members and evacuees, including their children. The Evacuee Support Network (ESN) has been a tremendous partner in making these gatherings meaningful.

Our programs continue to expand in ways that strengthen connection and belonging. The Foreign-Born Spouses group has reunited with renewed energy, offering a space where spouses from around the world can share experiences, build friendships, and support one another through the unique challenges of globally mobile life.

AAFSW also stays deeply committed to advocacy for Eligible Family Members pursuing meaningful careers while serving around the world. Through the AAFSW FS Community Business Directory, we are building a Foreign Affairs reference portal that highlights the talents, services, and businesses of EFMs, MOHs, FSOs, and members of our broader community. Business owners and authors can present their work, and our community can support them by choosing to shop “FS first.” Alongside this, AAFSW’s Foreign Service Hub Employment Resources continue to provide practical tools, guidance, and visibility for EFMs navigating professional pathways across posts and transitions.

AAFSW recently took part in the Interagency Roundtable (IART) hosted at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Global Community Liaison Office expressed appreciation for our participation, and the session generated strong interest in AAFSW’s programs and community support efforts. During the discussion, I emphasized how important it is to sustain the SOSA Awards, which reflect American values abroad and honor the selfless contributions of our Foreign Affairs community.

Demonstrating support for foreign affairs families, recognizing service, and fostering collaborative partnerships exemplify our collective achievements. Thank you for your trust, your energy, and your continued support of AAFSW’s mission.

Warm regards,

Celine Ford

President, AAFSW