Letter from Sheila Switzer

Dear Friends, 

It has been an amazing journey for me all these years that I have chaired the FBS Group. I have enjoyed immensely organizing cultural and social events for you: laughing and sharing happy and special moments with each one of you.

I also shared your pain and cried with you in those difficult times in your life. Thank you for trusting me, and allowing me to be there for you, holding your hand, drying your tears, listening, and helping you as much as I could.

One of my greatest satisfactions was being able to establish the Family Crisis Fund to help those in much need. Many thanks to all of you who have helped me to provide shelter, transportation, food, and many other things to our Foreign Service spouses in transition. I will continue being the Chair of the Family Crisis Fund Committee and help AAFSW raise the funds specifically needed to provide support to our members in need due to a sudden family crisis.

On July 1, 2018, it will officially be the time for me to step down as Chair of the Foreign-Born Spouses Group, so that other foreign-born spouses can take over the activities. It is sad to say goodbye, but I will be here for you when you need it, always remaining a part of the Foreign-Born Spouses Group. You may contact me any time. As always, my arms, my heart, and my home are open for you. 

My deepest gratitude and love for being my friends, for your trust, and your assistance when I asked for help hosting some events. Also thank you for sharing your cultures, traditions, gastronomy, and so many other things. 

I have always considered our foreign-born spouses as a lovely and exotic bouquet of flowers from around the world, who make a contribution to the US Foreign Service life with their many talents, beauty and above all determination to represent the US and their own countries with pride, making a difference where ever they are. For that, I say a special thanks to each one of you. 

I feel fortunate knowing you and I treasure your friendship: each one of you has enriched my life in so many ways, and I hope I made a small difference in your lives. I feel fortunate meeting you and I always will treasure your friendship.

Please, give your support to our new Chairs: Ani Torres, who will be organizing the Foreign-Born Spouses events for you and leading the group, and Celine Erickson, who will be chairing the Spouses in Transition.  They will both assume their duties on July 1, 2018. 

Much love,

Sheila  

Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair and Foreign Born Spouse State Liaison
AAFSW Family Crisis Fund Chair