Who We Are
Faith
Culture
Culture
The founders’ strong commitment to Christ and Christian values is evident in how they live their lives, and so CAFN could be no different but be undergirded by the same values. Loving and embracing difference with grace- is openly modeled. Being available for prayer and service to others is practiced here. Prayer and witness is included at all events with no hesitation.
Culture
Culture
Culture
Many in our network are immigrants or come from immigrant roots. As multicultural families, it's important our children—and those around us—value and embrace this identity. Through food, music, art, dance, faith, stories, and more, we believe culture should be at the heart of CAFN, grounding us and celebrating the beauty of our diversity.
Family
Culture
Community
Family is more than a concept for Caribbean peoples. It is central to their whole being. Extended family means extra cousins, sisters, brothers and uncles, aunts to love. And yes, Mamas to help nurture and protect. The spirit of family is normal and contagious. Every event includes all ages – so the whole family -kids and parents, even grandparents - enjoy grow together.
Community
Community
Community
CAFN is community and functions as such – if one celebrates, we all celebrate, if one mourns we all mourn. We have have the privilege of supporting each other in a myriad of ways which only further deepens our connection.
Outreach
Community
Outreach
Outreach and philanthropy are natural expressions of our faith. Living, working, and raising families in the U.S. comes with a responsibility to give back. Our annual Drive for the Islands has taken us across the Caribbean and locally. As long as we’re able, CAFN will continue to love and serve our neighbors.
OUR Islands - divided by water, connnected through faith
Countries represented
About TheCAFN
Our Vision
To develop a cohesive, sustainable, faith-based Caribbean-American community by sponsoring activities which provide support, resources and opportunities to expand and enhance the Caribbean-American experience”.
Our Start
n 1995 by Hasana Pennant-Sisco and Rodney Sisco along with Sandra Kelly-Harris and Kirk Harris. Hasana & Sandra, 1st cousins, both hail from Jamaica and emigrated to the US for undergrad and graduate school; while Rodney and Kirk were born and raised in eastern US; Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. The first picnic was held in 1995 at the Straved Rock State Park in Peru, Illnoios
Our Growth
Caribbean-American Family Network (CAFN) has seen consistent steady growth over the years. Our very 1st event began with 35 people representing a myriad of island nations and the United States. While a core group of families provide the necessary anchor, consistent with our island culture and our Christian faith – we welcome all nationalities. We reflect multicultural families from across Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and the US. Decades later we now are witnessing our “collective children” develop their own families. We are excited to see them remain involved, assume leadership and put their own fingerprint on CAFN. All Glory & thanks to God!
Our Future
Our young people are the bright lights of our legacy. CAFN NexGen are energetic, compassionate, innovative, faith filled, global thinking leaders. As much as we have poured into to them over the years, they are now leading and stretching us. Their voice is bold, strong and important. Look out...here they come!
Our Events
To date CAFN's signature events include the annual summer picnic – ‘Stay Connected’, annual Christmas Party– ‘It’s the Birthday of the King’ – and our annual ‘Drive for the Islands’. These events over the years have seen attendance reach as high as 400, ship multiple barrels overseas ,as well simply train children being raised bi-culturally about their roots.
Our Accomplishments
Over the years, we have accomplished many significant milestones in our mission to share our cross cultural competence, while fostering a deeper appreciation for one another
The r.k.s.s.
Rodney Sisco Symposium for Transformational Leadership Diversity and Equity Practices.
In 2019 CAFN partnered with the Association for Christian in Student Development (ACSD) to form the Rodney Sisco Symposium for Transformational Leadership Diversity and Equity Practices. This is intended to honor our co-founder Rodney Sisco's lifework & legacy. Rodney transitioned December 30, 2018, and was a champion for biblical Kingdom diversity. Each year, the Symposium sponsors a 2 day event on a US college campus featuring national or international thought leaders in the area of diversity, racial reconciliation and leadership.
In Rodney's own words:
“being the body of Christ is that we understand what grace is. Grace says that we are to be patient with each other. We spend time with each other. We’re preparing young men and women to know…how to be people who are able to engage with difference and conflict in a way that still says we’re doing it as men and women of God.”
How to support
To contribute to to CAFN, its mission and outreach, Please Please click the link below to support