Fundraiser for Teen Mom Home

RUMMAGE SALE EXTRAVAGANZA

        FUNDRAISER FOR TEEN MOM HOME

FRIDAY MAY 4^TH  9AM-3PM

SATURDAY MAY 5^TH 9AM-3PM

Location: Riverside Community Church,  37W130 Crane Rd., St.Charles, IL  60175

Located on the corner of Crane and Randall Road, north of Rte.64 and south of Silverglen Road.

This extravaganza will have a host of seller’s incl: crafters, vendors, consultants, antiques, baked goods, rummage items & much more…

BeauϮiful U Ministries is a private, non-profit, Christian maternity home. Our teen program operates as a shepherding home to young moms in need.

~All proceeds from the sale will go directly to the ministry~

Help beauϮiful U Ministries by donating gently used items such as: clothes, household items, toys, books, furniture, etc…  This teen mom ministry will receive all proceeds from this Rummage Sale. All donations are tax deductible.

Donations can be dropped-off at: Zimmerman Ford in St.Charles at the Maintenance Bldg. located on Industrial Dr. (M-F 9-5) Or  42W153 Timber Trl. St.Charles.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BeauTiful-U-Ministries/283609385006633

Adoptive Family Camp

Celebration of Nations- Adoptive Family Weekend

Your family is invited to join both domestic & international adoptive families at YMCA Camp Minikani for an informative and fun filled weekend!

Hear from guest speakers and participate in an adoption panel and discussion groups. Your family can also compete in the Family Olympics, try your hand at archery, boating, jumping on the tram-pop-oline and the climbing wall. Get cozy around a campfire. and check out the cultural activity booths and cultural wellness activities.

Celebration of Nations is brought to you by YMCA Camp Minikani in conjunction with Carmen Knight, who is affiliated with Bridge Communications Inc and the Ties Program: Adoptive Family Travel.

For more information click here or call 262-251-9080.

D.C.F.S.Foster/Adopt PRIDE Training at Willow Creek

Are you interested in investing in the life of a child by becoming licensed to be a D.C.F.S. foster parent?

The DCFS Pre-Service training program Foster/Adopt PRIDE will be offered at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. The sessions will start on May 3rd and will run nine consecutive Thursday evenings from 6:30p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The 27 hours of training is based on a co-trainer model of a foster parent and agency social work staff member. If you are interested in registering for this class, you must have an agency refer you for the training.

Joyce Moffit, a member of our leadership team, foster care recruiter for Youth Services Bureau of Illinois Valley (YSB) and a DCFS master trainer, will be one of the trainers for this session. Foster families who have successfully completed this training program will be well prepared to meet the needs of the foster children in their care.

For more information, please call Joyce Moffit at YSB  #847-468-0454. Additional training opportunities can be viewed at the DCFS web site, http://www.state.il.us/DCFS/library/com_communications_train.shtml

Live Twitter Chat with Adoptive Dad, Mac Powell

Did you know Third Day recently released the hit single, "Children of God," which talks about our adoption as God's own sons and daughters?  The music video for the song also ties the lyrics to physical adoption by featuring adopted children, including Mac’s son Emmanuel and daughter Birdie. 

Adoption Journey has arranged a Live Twitter Chat where you can ask questions and receive real-time answers during the 30-minute Q&A on Twitter with @MacPowell. People will be able to ask Mac questions that are geared toward being an adoptive parent, whether they have adopted already or are in the early staged of adoption.

"Adoption has touched my family personally, and I hope this Live Chat will help encourage other couples to start or continue considering adoption to build their family," said Mac Powell, frontman for the rock band Third Day.

#MACADOPTION Twitter Chat Details

WHEN: Friday, March 30, 2012 at 3:00PM-3:30PM Eastern [12pm Pacific]
WHO: Twitter handles @AdoptJourney and @MacPowell
HOW: Include twitter hashtag #MACADOPTION
WHERE: www.AdoptionJourney.org/share/macpowellchat

The Adoption Journey continues to release new content on their website -- www.AdoptionJourney.org -- each month and they hope to announce an innovative resource in the next month that will help the financial equation, one of the most popular topics every couples committing to adoption must tackle in their own adoption journey.   Stay tuned!

Also, please Pitch-In With A Tweet:

• Marking my calendar for the Live Chat with @MacPowell about adoption on 3/30 @ 3p EDT #adoption #macadoption [TWEET THIS]
• Considering #adoption? Submit a question now http://bit.ly/macpowellchat for 3/30 3pm ET @MacPowell Live Twitter Chat #macadoption [TWEET THIS]
• @MacPowell I'm looking forward to chatting w/ u live on March 30 @ 3pm ET about #adoption #macadoption [TWEET THIS]

If you want to meet other adoptive parents and advocates in the Twittersphere, follow http://adoptionjourney.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bed360ac2596e3cf39c8d9204&id=7bd52d379e&e=8cc5739cf6

Chinese Children Adoption International's 20th Anniversary Celebration

CCAI’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Begins at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park!!

We invite you to join CCAI families and friends to begin celebrating CCAI’s Two Decades and Ten Thousand Lives 20^th Anniversary on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park in Denver, Colorado!

Admission to this event includes:

* Discounted all-day admission to Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park – two parks for the price of one! This year Elitch Gardens has not 1… not 2… but 3 new rides! (Park hours 10 am – 10 pm)

* Private Pavilion reserved for CCAI families and friends

* All-you-can-eat meal served in private pavilion

* Free evening concert

* Coupon for Fright Fest

* Lion dance

* Tons of fun and memory-making with other CCAI families and friends!

CCAI Families’ Special Admission and Lunch: $38 per ticket (ages 3 and under are free).  Purchase tickets through CCAI (can be mailed to you or picked up at CCAI).

Discounted parking pass: $12 (regularly $15)

Tickets will go on sale through the website www.chinesechildren.org after April 1^st. 

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VIII

I have attended the past three CAFO Summits.  It is THE conference to attend if you are involved in ministry for adoption, foster care, Safe Families, orphan care, child trafficking or vulnerable children.  It is a wonderful place to meet people from around the country who are striving to serve God through serving the fatherless.  Each year I look forward to hearing God's voice at this Summit.  He seems to speak loud and clear as he empowers, inspires and leads me in the direction of our ministry at Willow Creek.  This conference is definitely a shot in the arm that I need each year.  It reminds me to .." not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Gal. 6:9)

If you're able, I encourage you to attend this conference or help sponsor a pastor or ministry leader from your church to attend. 

The Christian Alliance for Orphans’ annual Summit has become the national hub for what Christianity Today recently called, “the burgeoning Christian orphan care movement.” Summit VIII on May 3-4, 2012 at Saddleback Church in Southern California is expected to draw 1,800 to 2,000 pastors, grassroots advocates, organizational leaders and church ministry heads.

Alongside more than eighty workshops, the unforgettable plenary sessions will include Francis Chan, Rick and Kay Warren, Crawford Lorritts, Dennis Rainey, Steven Curtis Chapman, and other global leaders.

Summit inspires, equips and connects for adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry.  For more information and to register for the Summit, visit http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/. 

Positive Parenting Classes at Willow Creek

 

 

Empowering Your Kids to Become Problem Solvers

Dates: Mondays, April 2nd & 16th
Location: Willow Creek Community Church, 67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60010
Room: Blue Sky 2
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
This Positive Parenting session’s topic: Empowering Your Kids to Become Problem Solvers taught by Beth Racine - Relational Consultant.

Do you find yourself fixing or solving your child's problems more than you would like to be? Do your kids frequently state "It's too hard!"? Learn tools about how you can empower your kids to be able to think through challenges and successfully problem solve solutions without always needing outside help.
How will the evening work?Your family can start your Monday night with a meal from Harvest Food Court. Harvest is open from 5:30-6.45pm and offers a special selection of adult meals for $4.00 and kids' meals for $2.50. It's a meal deal!

After your meal you would check your child(ren) into their assigned Oasis room.

Our Monday night children's program, Oasis, is a fun, safe environment for infants through grade 5 kids. Oasis requires separate registration.
The Positive Parenting teaching begins at 7pm. Each teaching topic is followed by table discussions that will help you process the content according to your current family situation.

Pre-registration is required.  Register here: https://classes.willowcreek.org/default.aspx?page=3259&event=5793

Adoption Tax Credit Phone Forum

On behalf of the Internal Revenue Service, you are invited to join the Adoption Tax Credit Phone Forum on Friday, March, 23, 2012, at 12:00 pm Central Time.

What is the objective? To help families who have adopted children get the refundable adoption tax credit they deserve.

Many taxpayers claiming the expanded adoption credit, are not attaching the required documents to their paper tax returns. By participating in this call, the IRS will ensure that you are aware of the proper documentation necessary for you to receive your refund as a result of this important tax credit.

 During the phone forum, they will discuss:

• Legislative Action
• Requirements for claiming the credit
• Qualified Adoption Expenses
• Types of Adoptions
• Adoption Credit Audits
• Changes on the Horizon
• How you can help eligible taxpayers claim the credit
• Resources on IRS.gov to answer your questions

 Please join in on Friday, March, 23, 2012, at 12:00 pm Central Time to learn more about this important tax benefit for families.

To call in, please dial 1-866-606-4717 and use Access Code 7962786.

A Must-See Movie: October Baby

I had the opportunity to see a pre-screening of a new movie, October Baby, that opens next Saturday, March 23rd.  It is a moving, thought-provoking and beautifully made movie about a very sensitive subject.  I highly recommend supporting this film by attending, especially on opening night , March 23rd.  I understand that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to designated Pregnancy Crisis Centers and  Adoption Agencies.  For more information on the film go to http://www.octoberbabymovie.net/.

October Baby: Bringing Life to Theaters March 23
If you believe that every life is beautiful and that a beautifully told story can touch hearts—and even save lives—then you will be excited about the impact that OCTOBER BABY can have when it opens in theaters on March 23.

OCTOBER BABY tells the story of Hannah, a young woman who learns that her life is much different than what she's known up until now. After learning she was actually adopted—after a failed abortion attempt—Hannah embarks on an incredible journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future. Check out a powerful scene featuring Hannah (Rachel Hendrix) and a woman who knows about Hannah's past (Jasmine Guy).

Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering

Please join us for our Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering for
Adoptive, Foster and Safe Families
Come to share a time of connection and learn from and with others in the adoption, foster care and Safe Families community.  Bart Francour will talk with us about  Royal Family Kids Camp for neglected and abused children in foster care.  Learn more about the camp, how children are being blessed by the camp, and how you may want to be involved. 

Sunday, March 18th, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL  60010
Room F150 (Downstairs in the 2 yr. old Promiseland room.  Use parking lot "F")
Pot-luck Dinner starts promptly at 5:00 pm. Please bring a dish to share.  Beverages will be provided.

R.S.V.P.'s are helpful for planning purposes. Just reply to this e-mail.

Childcare is provided if you r.s.v.p. with the number of children and their ages. 

Adoption Seminar

AMERICA WORLD ADOPTION SEMINAR

"Adopted By Design"

Saturday, March 17^th – 10am – noon
Lakeland Church, 440 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee, IL

Has the Lord placed a passion for international adoption on your heart? Do you have questions about all that is involved? Then plan on attending a free informational America World seminar.  Listen to what God's word says about adoption, learn more about the process, and hear from families who have adopted.

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.awaa.org and click on the events link.

Seminar: Understanding our "Disconnected Kids" from a Brain-Based Perspective

This presentation will provide a solid understanding of the root causes of your child’s challenges.  A clear understanding of the problem is vital to stepping forward with solutions that work. 

Dr. Jeremy Fritz will present this workshop to gain a thorough understanding of the “whys” of the issues your child faces.  His goal is to impart a solid foundation on which you can build successful strategies for your children/students.

Where :  The Chapel – Grayslake Campus
When :  March 28th    7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost  :  FREE!
Register:  email BuildingFamilies@chapel.org to pre-register.  This will help us to have the right setup for the number of attendees.

Note:  child care is not available for this event 

About Dr. Fritz
Dr. Jeremy Fritz is the Executive Director of the Brain Balance Achievement Centers of Milwaukee and Chicago. Dr. Fritz studied under childhood neurobehavioral expert, Dr. Robert Melillo, creator of the Brain Balance Program. Dr. Fritz is passionate about helping children suffering from neurobehavioral and learning disorders through natural brain-based mechanisms. Dr. Fritz is also a parent educator on various health related topics and strives to provide parents with a deeper understanding of the current research as it relates to childhood developmental disorders.