Important Announcement Regarding the Future of Xylem Family Resource

From Board President, Tim Sloan

I wanted to inform you of a major change happening at Xylem.

Xylem Family Resource was founded over six years ago out of a belief that God desired so much more for families. By combining quality education and support based on latest research, scientific and medical findings with a spiritual aspect to family, we believed that we could provide a holistic approach to raising a family unlike any other parenting or family program out there.

Over the past six years, Xylem has grown and changed in a variety of ways, but we have remained true to our original purpose. Xylem has developed an amazing reputation among churches, schools, organizations and counselors as an organization that provides balanced and effective parenting education that is so much more than basic behavior management. Families have referred other families. Workshops, classes, private consultations, and staff and volunteer trainings have been held across the Denver-Metro area. As a result, hundreds of families have been served!.

But it doesn’t stop there. Families as far away as England and Australia have taken advantage of Xylem services. Parents in states outside of Colorado have participated in phone and e-mail consults. Xylem has helped many who desire more for their family and believe, like we do, that God did not intend for parenting to be miserable, or lonely, or relationship damaging. Families are beginning to experience what it means to have their family restored and sacred.

Xylem has been successful in the Denver-Metro area. And it has been an honor to be a part of an organization that God has used to touch so many families in this area and beyond!

Now it seems like God is ready to use Xylem once again in a new way.

Within the past few weeks, our Executive Director, Tara Wood has learned that her husband’s job will be taking them to Ohio. It is a very fast process and they will be moving to the Cleveland area at the end of this month. Without an executive director, we were left to make some decisions about the future of Xylem. After much thought, prayer and consultation, we have decided to encourage Tara to bring Xylem to Ohio.

This was not a decision made lightly and I’d like to take a moment to address some of the questions you may have regarding this decision.

Why move Xylem instead of finding another Executive Director to take over? Xylem does not have the financial ability to pay an Executive Director’s salary. It would be near impossible to find someone with the educational background and experience who would be willing to take on this role very quickly for little to no pay.

Why not shut down Xylem altogether? Xylem belongs to a lot of people that have donated time, money and resources and who have believed in the mission of this ministry. It is a community organization first and foremost. Part of our decision was based on this sentiment. We didn’t want to simply close down the organization that so many people have helped create if there was a way to keep it alive. We discovered that in many ways it is actually easier to move Xylem to another state than to shut it down. Additionally, keeping the nonprofit status of this ministry along with the reputation that it has developed in Colorado and online will allow for new doors to be opened in churches and organizations in Ohio allowing more families to benefit from what Xylem offers.

What happens to the employees of Xylem? Currently , Tara is the only employee of Xylem. The teachers we have used are all contractors who will be able to continue teaching in their specialty here in Denver if they choose. Everyone else who “works” for Xylem is a volunteer and will not be financially affected by the change.

What about the assets and donations that have been given to Xylem? A large portion of our assets (furniture, some office supplies, classes materials, etc.) will be donated to Denver Community Church who has provided a space for us this past year free of charge and is intentionally building a program that supports and educates the families in its community. The remainder will travel with Tara to Ohio to help get things started in Xylem’s new location.

Can organizations and families in Colorado still benefit from the servicesXylem offers? YES! Anyone from any location can still participate in phone and e-mail consults. The Xylem Family Resource Facebook page will remain active providing parenting tips and resources. Tara will also continue to post on her blog www.parentingwhatipreach.wordpress.com or www.parentingwhatipreach.blogspot.com . Eventually, Xylem hopes to provide online classes and seminars that people around the country can participate in.

What is the plan for Xylem in Ohio? We anticipate that it will take some time to build Xylem up to become similar to what it has been in Colorado. To begin with, Xylem will focus on staying active on social networking sites, the blog and phone and e-mail consults. The goal for Xylem is to be speaking in MOPS groups and some churches by the end of the first year.

Does the Board of Directors remain the same? No. Xylem will be seeking out new board members in Ohio. Those members who have been on the advisory and directors boards (past and present) here in Colorado will be stepping down from their positions. Nina Sloan, who is currently serving as Vice President and Secretary, and I will work to help make the transition in the coming weeks and then will be stepping down from our roles at the end of July once the move to Ohio is complete.

I still believe in the mission of Xylem! How can I continue to support this ministry? You can still finically support this ministry by visiting www.xylemfamily.org and clicking on the “Donate Now” button. If you have any connections in the Cleveland/Akron area at churches, organizations or counselors you can help by making an introduction for Xylem. Continue to refer people to Xylem’s Facebook page and blog and encourage families that are struggling to contact Xylem for a phone consult. Finally, we would love to have letters of recommendation or about how Xylem has impacted your life that Xylem can use as it is introduced to the communities in Ohio. You can e-mail these letters to tara@xylemfamily.org .

You may have other questions or concerns not answered here. If so, please do not hesitate to contact me or Tara directly via e-mail tim@sloant.com or tara@xylemfamily.org.

There is sadness in saying good-bye to Tara and to Xylem in the Denver area. But we are excited to see what the future will bring her and Xylem in its new location.

If you haven’t already, please stay connected by becoming a fan of Xylem Family Resource on Facebook and by following the “Parenting What I Preach” blog.

Thank you for all your support!

Blessings to you and your family!

Tim Sloan, on behalf of the Board of Directors

President, Xylem Family Resource