In a special way the terrorist attack reminded all of us of what ’s truly important in life. It helped refocus us on the reality that families are the indispensable source of strength and well-being for people—both individually and in communities as massive and diverse as New York.

But the events of 9/11 should also remind us that the bedrock is not all it could be. In fact, American families today are struggling. Former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan went so far as to say that over his forty-year political career “the family structure has come apart all over the North Atlantic.” (See William Bennett ’s interview, pg.18.)

Family life has become—or perhaps it’s fairer to say, “should become ”—the number one social issue in America. Unfortunately, in too many sectors of our society the trend is still anti-family. This is why we started Becoming Family.

The rationale for the magazine rings clear on our masthead: “helping to build stronger families. ”Thankfully our efforts seem to be resonating out there. Subscription numbers grew steadily all year and hardly a day went by without some new reader sharing her or his enthusiasm for Becoming Family.

Tammy Snyder of Marble Falls, Arkansas, for example, wrote that “Becoming Family was every bit as exciting to read as it was to find. With every turn of the page, I found inspiring stories, encouragement, and examples of faith, love, and loyalty.”

Another reader,Abigail Carter from Lake Villa,Illinois, said “The best thing on the market. I seldom read anything from cover to cover and this one I do. I feel that every article applies to me.”

We’ve had hundreds of such testimonials.Folks seem to really like Becoming Family. And do they ever help in a start-up venture like this—because the challenges are huge and the goals ambitious. They are: First, continue to produce the magazine at its current high quality. Second, reach out to many more readers. Third, put more financial muscle behind the magazine, so we can make the first two happen!

Several months ago we established Family Ventures Foundation to own and publish Becoming Family. This gives the magazine a not-for-profit business structure that—totally consistent with our mission—permits greater outreach to financial resources, especially foundations and affluent donors. This should also help our growth objectives.ottom line, we’re the same people, same mission, different (and better) structure.

Family Ventures Foundation could ultimately permit broad participation in this great “family venture”—strengthening families across America. You have been so supportive and encouraging. We wanted to share this development with our readers and remind them again of what Becoming Family is all about. If you’d like to help us extend “the profound bonds of love that characterize the American family, ”feel free to contact me at tmammoser@becomingfamily.com, or my colleague, John Madigan, at jmadigan@becomingfamily.com.

We ’d love to hear from you. Thanks for the many kind comments you’ve already sent. Meanwhile, our best to your family.

Respectfully, Tom Mammoser Publisher BecomingFamily