Last year was a great year for Kids’ FUN! We found Paul Pinson, our new executive director for Forjando Alas Youth Center. Paul has years of experience in the nonprofit world and offers his expertise in management, planning and fundraising. He has created a steering committee of Uvita residents ready bring success to they youth center and create a plan for sustainability. Katie Rider has been working on the design for an official website and with the help of Larry Bresina we hope to see it published soon! We are also partnering with COAST to develop ocean conservation outreach programs in Jacksonville.

This year Mayport Elementary (in Jacksonville, FL) will join Kids’ FUN with a “COAST FUN” after school club. With the help of Stephanie Stevenson, we are developing curriculum that teaches kids about film and culture while participating in global marine conservation initiatives. Our new curriculum will be aligned with both state and national standards for US education, and will be implemented at Forjando Alas and with CARESS in India. The resulting video will be a conglomeration of clips made by kids in each location…Ocean Conservation, A Kids’ Eye View.

Paul is currently interviewing prospective teachers to teach English, computers and science at Forjando Alas. As soon as we re-open for the school year, we will implement the new ocean conservation curriculum. We are getting close to our fundraising goal, and greatly appreciate your support!