Infinite Family!

?Infinite Family connects adults (Net Families) with African orphans and vulnerable children (Net Buddies) for long-term, face-to-face, nurturing relationships. Using video conferencing and a secure and interactive internet platform, Net Families and Net Buddies see, talk and email several times each week, sharing their lives and inspiring new futures together. The Infinite Family response is unique because it: Targets pre-teen and teenage African youth, those who are most likely to be left to fend for themselves or may be already acting as heads of households; Engages individual American families for long-term commitments to the daily life and development of African youth, rather than short-term crisis intervention; Works with and helps strengthen local organizations that support vulnerable children and orphans in Africa; Employs existing communications technologies to support meaningful visual and interactive relationships between youth and mentors living thousands of miles apart; Trains Americans so that their relationships with African children complement rather than compete with the children’s culture and so that the American adults are prepared to support the youth as they deal with issues of loss; and Channels Net Family donations for children’s immediate needs, local community projects and a fund for children to attend college or vocational school, or start a small business. Infinite Family builds long-term partnerships with African non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to fill youth needs that NGOs identify as remaining unmet, in particular: individual, ongoing adult attention and psychosocial support, emotional nurturing and life skills mentoring. Infinite Family is currently working with three South African NGOs that serve more than 15,000 children in the Johannesburg and Durban areas. There are many ways to be involved and support the work of Infinite Family, including:Become a Net Family and talk and email regularly with an African child (requires a six step application and clearance process); Provide technical support to Net Families and Net Buddies; Help us develop interactive educational games, tools and resources; Donate computers or other equipment for children to use at secure NGO sites; or Be a corporate partner for internet communications, financial or transport services. Infinite Family works with adults, married or single, of any age, race, color, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law. Please contact Infinite Family at 646.736.0276, mailto:info@infinitefamily.org info@infinitefamily.org , or the following address: P.O. Box 2027 New York, NY 10108