Naples Italian American Foundation Launches Family Heritage Initiative

The Naples Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has announced the launch of its Family Heritage Initiative, a new program designed to help members explore, preserve, and share their Italian family stories across generations.

The initiative began this month with the inaugural “Discovering Your Family Story” workshop, the first in a planned series of small, guided discussions focused on memory, identity, and legacy. The workshop brought together participants with a wide range of experience — from those just beginning to ask questions about their ancestry to individuals who have already conducted extensive research — all united by a shared desire to preserve family history in a thoughtful and welcoming setting.

“Our goal is not simply to help people research records,” said Anthony Carfang, who is facilitating the series. “It’s to create a space where family stories are honored, memories are respected, and people feel supported no matter where they are in their journey.”

Unlike traditional genealogy programs that emphasize technical instruction, NIAF’s Family Heritage Initiative is intentionally conversation-based. Workshops focus on recognizing family “clues” — names, places, stories, photographs, and memories — and understanding how these pieces connect across generations. The approach is designed to be accessible to participants at all levels, with no prior experience required.

The initiative reflects a broader commitment by NIAF to cultural stewardship and inclusive engagement. By offering smaller, focused programs alongside its established social and cultural events, the Foundation aims to reach members who may connect more deeply through reflection, storytelling, and shared heritage.

Future sessions in the series will continue to build on these themes, exploring how American records often lead families back to specific towns in Italy, and how preserving family stories today helps ensure they are not lost tomorrow.

The Naples Italian American Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating Italian heritage, fostering community, and supporting cultural, educational, and charitable initiatives in Southwest Florida and beyond.

NIAF recently earned Candid/GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency for the third consecutive year, the highest rating awarded to U.S. nonprofits, making it the only Italian American organization in Southwest Florida to achieve this distinction. Membership is open to all. Visit niafoundation.org.