December 1, 2020
Our neighborhood has been planning and preparing for our annual Sub for Santa to help less fortunate families. As I have pondered the project this year, I have realized what we need, more than dolls and puzzles, is stronger families. As Michael Novak, former ambassador to the UN Commission on Human Rights said, “The family is the seedbed of economic skills, money habits, attitudes toward work, and the arts of financial independence. The family is a stronger agency of educational success than the school. The family is a stronger teacher of religious imagination than the church. Political and social planning in a wise social order begins with the axiom What strengthens the family strengthens society.”
United Families International (UFI) works tirelessly to support and defend what strengthens the family and in turn, strengthens society. From the grass roots, to local legislation, to national campaigns and efforts at the United Nations, we are working to educate, defend policy, strengthen and protect the family as the fundamental unit of society, but we need your financial support.
Your financial donations are deeply appreciated! We recognize your donations are a valuable gift. We thank you! We make the most of every dollar we receive. Thus, every dollar counts! We are blessed with an incredible crew of dedicated volunteers and interns who have a desire to impact the world by giving their time and energy to the work. So, today, I want you to hear from some of them as to why they feel United Families International is the organization worthy of their precious time and effort.
As you will read, the world needs United Families International and United Families International needs you. We ask you, on this #GivingTuesday, to make a donation to United Families International. Wisely using our funds and working tirelessly on such important issues, together, we will have an impact that will strengthen families and society for generations to come. Your donation makes you a valuable part of our team. We are excited to have you on board!
With much gratitude!
Wendy Wixom, President
United Families International
Notes from our Dedicated Volunteers
“On the issues that impact the well-being of the family, the rising generations – Millennials and Gen Zs – are caught in the crosshairs of a culture that supports and advocates attitudes and behaviors that harm individuals and families. From school, to social media, to entertainment, ‘the cool and the hip’ drives teens and young adults away from those traditional supports that kept families strong and flourishing for millennia. For that reason, and as part of its mission to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to defend their families and the Family, United Families International has made the mentoring of college students a priority. UFI educates and trains these young people in the issues and gives them the opportunity to meet and speak with policymakers and influencers through our internships and attendance at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
“This commitment to educating and empowering others, particularly the rising generation, drew me to the work of UFI and keeps me dedicated to advancing its mission and supporting the people who devote their lives to the call to strengthen and defend the family.”
– Tori Black, Board Member/News Alert Coordination
“My work centers around creating platforms for people to learn about the issues impacting marriage and family. Currently, UFI’s new HomeFront Project is a major focus of my efforts. I also do policy analysis for state legislators and for UN delegations and work with UFI programs to train the next generation of pro-family/pro-family advocates. I’m convinced when individuals understand the issues, we will teach our families and when faced with decisions about policy and laws – be it at the UN, city hall, the local school board meeting, or the voting booth – we will make good decisions about how to strengthen our families, our communities, and ultimately, our nation. United Families International is a force for good in the lives of legislators, UN delegations, college students, moms and dads, and hopefully, in your life! I do this work because I know strong marriages and families are a powerful solution to societal challenges. Once you understand this, you can never go back to being silent.”
– Marcia Barlow, Vice President of Policy and Senior Advisor
“I volunteer because I feel strongly about the importance of being a support and advocate for families and children. I feel it important to be unified and have a voice, and UFI is a great way to do that.”
– Teresa Hunsaker, Vice President of Organizational Development
“While growing up my mother always said, ‘One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time.’
She taught me from a young age that helping others was important. Her beliefs became mine. Volunteering for UFI has given me the opportunities to help others to believe in the things that are most important to me- the family, marriage, the sanctity of life, religion and being a parent. I love giving my time to this organization; it makes me feel complete.”
– Kristen Hackett, Executive Team Assistant and Intern Coordinator
“I am the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) coordinator with mission visits. I maintain year-round relationships with UN delegates through timely email requests and sharing of issues and events going on in those countries. I got involved with UFI back in 2012 cause I wanted to do something to protect the family. I know it is being assaulted on all sides and I wanted to be a part of the movement to protect and promote it as our best hope. I feel the work I do with UN delegates, in providing them language for documents, support for their pro family positions and even just simple friendship, is vital to the pro family movement globally.”
– April Gallart, Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Coordinator and Director of UN Mission Relations
“I help supervise posting for the World Family News website. I work with other volunteers, as well as UFI interns. I take the time to volunteer with United Families International, in this capacity, because I appreciate being able to keep up to date with issues that affect families across the globe. I enjoy working with our interns. When we work together to keep the World Family News website updated, I learn from them, and feel like I’m helping a new generation of advocates understand how to stand up for important values and the institution of the family.”
– Chalea Marker, World Family News
“I believe that better neighborhoods, communities, cities and nations cannot be achieved through wishful thinking; it can only be achieved through action. Volunteering allows me to take action and have tangible hand in how I believe things should be; in how I believe the world should move forward.
“I have always found deep satisfaction in giving of my time and I often gain more than I give. With United Families International I have benefited in the form of new and unexpected friendships. I have gained new understanding in a wide swath of topics. And I have felt fulfillment in helping to meet the needs of wonderful, deserving people and causes. In the words of Desmond Tutu ‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.’” – Jessie Keller, Social Media Coordinator, Instagram
When I learned about United Families International, I knew immediately I wanted to be involved. I love their mission to promote family values and religious liberty. Volunteering is one small way I can help shape future policies for the world my own children and future grandchildren will grow up in. – Sandy Howard, Social Media Coordinator, Facebook
“I have had the privilege of working with a wide variety of non-profits and NGO’s dedicated to protecting children and strengthening the family unit. Everything from pro-life to anti-sexual exploitation. I can definitely attribute many of these opportunities to my work with United Families International. I have been in the trenches at the United Nations for several years with my UFI friends and colleagues and I have seen firsthand their passion, compassion, and intelligent family advocacy work. They have inspired and influenced hundreds of my students. UFI has been and continues to be a powerful source of light and truth in a world that is growing increasingly dark concerning issues related to marriage, family, and children. Their work—domestically and abroad—has never been more important than it is today and I am honored to lock arms with them.”
– Tim Rarick, Ph.D., Brigham Young University – Idaho, Department of Home & Family