Thursday, January 31, 2013

CAFO Summit 9 in Nashville, TN


Registration has begun for the Christian Alliance for Orphans annual conference.  I, along with members of our leadership team, have attended the last four conferences, and each time we have all come away inspired, challenged, educated & better equipped to continue our efforts in serving the children and families in our community.   This is THE premier conference to attend if you are involved in any type of ministry that serves vulnerable children.  I highly encourage you to attend.  See you there!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMIT 9!
Join us May 2-3, 2013 in Nashville, TN
EXPLORE and celebrate how God's profound love for the fatherless reveals the depths of His love for each of us.
LEARN to build up the local church as a vibrant center of adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry.

EXPERIENCE the burgeoning orphan care movement with adoptive and foster families, enthusiastic advocates, ministry entrepreneurs, and believers from around the globe.

GROW practical knowledge and skills for parents, churches, and organizations in more than eighty workshops and unforgettable plenary sessions including: David Platt, Randy Alcorn, Michele Bachmann, Bishop & Donna Martin, Nicole C. Mullen and other global leaders.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

IJM Global Prayer Gathering

GPG 2013
Are you passionate about prayer? Want to see how prayer impacts IJM’s work around the world?
Join IJM for the 2013 Global Prayer Gathering on April 5-7 as IJM friends and field office leaders unite in Washington, DC. Together, you will hear news fresh from the frontlines and pray for justice on behalf of the oppressed.
GPG Promo Video
Find all the details at IJM.org/gpg including exciting programs for Students, Church Leaders and IJM Alumni. Last year’s event sold out several weeks in advance, so sign up today!
Register
Questions? Contact gpg@ijm.org

Monday, January 28, 2013

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Training

CASA Needs YOU!
Save the Date
Join CASA in supporting and promoting court appointed volunteer advocacy to give abused and neglected children a voice.
Learn how you can give your time to help the CASA mission. Attend an information session!
Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.
~ author unknown
Advocate Night
Tuesday, January 29 from 6 - 7:30 pm
Crystal Lake Public Library
126 Paddock St.
Crystal Lake, IL
OR
Wednesday, February 6 from 6 - 7:30 pm
Woodstock Public Library
414 W. Judd St.
Woodstock, IL
Are you interested in directly making a difference in a child's life by being their voice? Join us for this informational session about becoming a CASA Advocate. Current advocates will be on hand to answer your questions and share their experiences.
Can't make it? Email jorie@casamchenrycounty.org or call 815-363-5920 for more information.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Orphan Care Training at Harvest Bible Chapel



HARVEST BIBLE CHAPEL
presents
 
Orphan Care Training



Join us for our 2013 Orphan Care Training


February 23, 2013 
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Rolling Meadows Campus
 
Admission is Free


Attend a main session along with 3 workshops of your choice.


Workshops cover Safe families, Foster Care and Adoption focused
topics for families considering, in process, or living out orphan care.
Register at the link below to let us know you are coming, sign
up for childcare, and to purchase a lunch!



To register for this free training, go to:

 




Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sunnyridge Benefit for Birth Parent Services

 
Fashion Show Benefit
Sunny Ridge Welcomes Tammie Souza at March 2 Benefit
Mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, March 2, 2013, as we
Tammie Souzahost our annual Sunny Ridge Spring Fashion Show Benefit at the Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn. Special guest Tammie Souza from FOX Chicago will be on hand to help Sunny Ridge present our fashions. Doors open at 10:30am, and the day includes shopping, silent auction, lunch, and Spring Fashion Show. Call the ladies and make it a girls' day out in support of Sunny Ridge Birth Parent Services. Watch our website for more information!  www.sunnyridgefamilycenter.org 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Adoption Play "Finding Claire"




Finding Claire
By Kim Merrill
Directed by Joy Surber

Performance Dates: February 14-16, all shows at 8:00pm
Elmhurst College's
Mill Theater
253 Walter St.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
 

About the Show:

Claire was unwed and in high school when she became pregnant. At that time, society considered her an unfit mother, and she was pressured into giving her baby daughter up for adoption. Now an adult, Rachel is searching for her biological family and a place to belong and call home. Rachel struggles to find her place in the family she’s never met as her half sister struggles to make a decision that will bring this family full circle.

Finding Claire examines adoption and the stigma attached to being a young, single mother and how those things have changed in the span of just a generation.

 
About Getting Tickets:

All tickets are $5.
The group rate for 10 or more people is $4 a ticket.

Please call the box office at 630-617-3005 to make your reservation.

Seats are reserved, so by making your reservations, you ensure that you get the best seats possible.
 
Click here for the New York Times review.  It's not the same cast, but will give you more details about the play.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Urgent Action Alert: Contact your member of Congress Today



Banner
ACTION ALERT: Russia: Contact your member of Congress today!


January 15, 2013

Opportunity for Members of Congress to Sign Letters to Presidents Putin and Obama
Members of Congress have a short window of opportunity to sign on to two letters regarding Russia’s recent decision to ban adoptions to the United States. The first letter is to President Vladimir Putin of Russia and the second is to President Obama. Both letters appeal to each leader to recognize the basic human rights of these children and all children in Russia to a family and to work to resolve the pending cases of children who were in the adoption process prior to the January 1, 2013 ban.
Senator Roy Blunt and Congressional Coalition on Adoption Co-Chairs Senator Landrieu, Senator Inhofe, Representative Bachmann and Representative Karen Bass are currently circulating these letters for signature by their colleagues, with a deadline to sign on to these letters of tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16 at 12pm EST . Please contact your Senators and Representative today and urge them to sign on to these letters and lend their support to Russia’s children. Offices interested in signing on should contact Libby Whitbeck in Senator Landrieu’s office or Kristina Weger in Senator Blunt’s office.
- You can find your Senators’ phone numbers and email address at www.senate.gov
- You can find your Representatives’ phone numbers and email address at www.house.gov
Please distribute this information widely to your friend and family, requesting they also contact their Members of Congress prior to Wednesday, January 16 at 12pm EST
Our Thanks to Senator Roy Blunt and Congressional Coalition on Adoption Co-Chairs Senator Landrieu, Senator Inhofe, Representative Bachmann and Representative Karen Bass and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute for their continued leadership on this issue.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Fields of the Fatherless Book Discussion & Pot-luck

Please join us for a

Pot-Luck Dinner and Book Discussion

 

 
Sunday, January 20, 2013

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.


Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Room F150


Book: "Fields of the Fatherless: Discovering the Joy of Compassionate Living"

by author Tom Davis

 
Order you book now at Amazon.com.

 Download your discussion guide at here.

Even if you are  not able to read the book, we invite you to come and join in this important discussion.

Childcare is available if you R.S.V.P. with the number of children and their ages to vcministry127@gmail.com.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Paul Pennington Addresses Russian Adoption Crisis

Yesterday's program of "In the Market with Janet Parshall" included an interview with Paul Pennington, founder of Hope for Orphans.  Paul issues a cry for justice on behalf of Russia’s little ones. 

I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen for yourself at the podcast link below. 

http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_podcast.aspx?Program=InTheMarketWithJanetParshall.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Webinar: Parenting An Adopted Child With Special Needs



JC logo
Expectations vs. Realities: Parenting an adopted child with special needs
RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

Is your child emotionally acting much younger than their age? Have special needs you weren't expecting? Behaviors that resemble ADHD?

You are not alone. These challenges are common for post- institutionalized children. Finding help, however, can be difficult.

Join us for a webinar featuring Martha Osborne, adopted person, adoptive mom and founder of the largest special needs adoption advocacy website, RainbowKids.co
m. Martha will lead an "in the trenches" discussion on how parents can get connected and supported.

Learn how to build a plan to manage undiagnosed special needs
Consider new, outside the box suggestions on how to address unexpected cognitive and emotional delays
Understand how proactive parenting can help!
Submit your questions by tweeting them to @adoptiontweet using #SNPALP

Monday, January 7, 2013

Adoption Tax Credit Made Permanent

    This article is taken from The Christian Alliance for Orphans blog.

There is much yet to analyze about the American Taxpayer Relief Act (“Fiscal Cliff” Bill) passed by Congress last night, but it is clear there’s at least one element orphan advocates can especially cheer: the Adoption Tax Credit has been saved.

The permanent extension of the Adoption Tax Credit not only guarantees vital financial help for families that choose to adopt. It also underscores the commitment of the American people to the idea that children need families.

The Adoption Tax Credit was set at $10,000 in 2001 under President Bush and adjusted for inflation going forward. My best current understanding is that this figure will continue to set the precise value of the credit going forward. (Thus set at roughly $12,770 in 2013). The credit will be available to families adopting both domestically and internationally as a credit for qualified adoption expenses. For special needs adoptions, the credit will be a flat amount (the $10,000 plus inflation) without regard to actual out of pocket expenses. This means that domestic foster adoptions of children with special needs will be eligible for the full maximum credit even if very little was spent in the adoption process. Finally, the Credit will also exempt from taxes any adoption benefits provided by employers. The fact that the Adoption Tax Credit is now permanent means that it won’t need to be renewed every year, as it has in recent years.

The credit begins to phase out at incomes above $190,000. The Credit is not “refundable”—meaning that it will not result in a payout from the government to those who have no tax liability. But, the credit can be carried over from year to year if a family isn’t able to claim it all in the first year.

As the recent happenings in Russia highlight, there remain many major challenges in regard to public policy and adoption—from helping countries establish expeditious adoption systems…to guarding against corruption in the process… to support of indigenous adoption efforts.

But today the permanent extension of the Adoption Tax Credit gives advocates for children something to cheer for…and a great start to 2013!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Safe Families Webinar offered

SafeFamilyLogo_New

Webinar for Host Families and Volunteers
January 8, 2013 - 7:00pm-8:30pm CENTRAL
with Dr. David Anderson, Founder of Safe Families for Children
 
Register Now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/r egister/480100896

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration
with information you need to join the Webinar.
 
 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Foster Care Documentary Showing this Sunday in Crystal Lake



 
What would you do without your family? Or if you had no place to live? From Place to Place is a documentary that follows the lives of six young adults who recently aged out of Montana’s foster care system and have had to cope with just that. Join CASA of McHenry County at a free screening of this documentary which uncovers one of America’s hidden tragedies and brings to light the challenges facing America’s foster care system. In the words of Raif, one of the six followed, “It’s raw and it’s cold and it’s harsh and it will hit you hard.” To reserve your spot, please e-mail CASAfilm@rauecenter.org or call 815.356.9212.
 
For more information about the film and to see a trailer click HERE.
 
To read a recent article in the Daily Herald about the film click HERE.
 
If you would like to meet and sit together please e-mail me at vcministry127@gmail.com.  You will still need to reserve your spot using the e-mail or phone number at the Raue Center.
 
If you would like to purchase and donate a copy of the film to our ministry library, please let me know.  The DVD is $19.95 plus $3.20 for shipping.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Reece's Rainbow featured in People Magazine

Andrea Roberts Helps Orphans With Down Syndrome Find Homes

11/08/2012 at 09:00 AM EST

  

Clockwise, from left: Reece, Rich, Andrea and Owen Roberts
Courtesy Andrea Roberts


 
 
Andrea Faris Roberts figured her new son, born in 2002, got his almond-shaped eyes from her husband, Rich.

But when doctors confirmed that Reece had Down syndrome, "I couldn't stop crying," says Andrea, whose prenatal tests were normal. "I thought, 'What's tomorrow going to be like?' "

The answer: Reece has not only enriched his parents' lives but inspired his mom to save kids with Down syndrome around the world. Researching her son's condition, Andrea learned that in many countries, babies born with the disorder are often abandoned and left in orphanages.

Launching Reece's Rainbow in 2004, the former account manager wrote grant applications and networked with adoption agencies, ultimately dispersing over $4 million to fund adoptions of more than 850 children from Russia, China, Mexico and elsewhere.

Parents like John and Charissa Urban of Owasso, Okla., wouldn't know the love of Ava, now 8, adopted from Ukraine in 2008 without the help of Reece's Rainbow. They turned to the organization to help with funds to bring home little Ava – who weighed only 19 lbs. and was unable to roll over at age 3.


Andrea Roberts Helps Orphans With Down Syndrome Find Homes| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories, Real Heroes
Reece and Owen Roberts

Courtesy Andrea Roberts

Though she initially had to use a walker to get around, Ava is now running, jumping and playing with her six siblings, including two who are adopted also (one of whom also has Down syndrome). "She's the center of our family," Charissa says. "We're so grateful."

Andrea says that families are being built every day.

"What is wonderful about Reece's Rainbow, is that families can go and see children's photos on the website and know that money is being raised to help with the adoption costs," says Andrea. "They see that it is a better possibility for them to be able to afford to adopt without the years of painful heartbreak in waiting to try to raise funds."

Today, 10-year-old Reece is in the 5th grade and loves playing basketball with his little brother, Owen, 7, in the family's yard in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He's also challenging his father at golf.

"He's got a better golf game than my husband any day of the week," laughs Andrea, 40. "He's got a wonderful swing."

Andrea Roberts Helps Orphans With Down Syndrome Find Homes| Heroes Among Us, Good Deeds, Real People Stories, Real Heroes
Andrea and Reece Roberts

Courtesy Andrea Roberts
 
Andrea insists that children with Down syndrome in institutions around the world are not forgotten and would be adopted if more families could afford the typical $25,000 fee (which includes home study costs, travel and adoption expenses).

"After six and a half years, all I can say to the world is, 'I told you so. I told you these kids were wanted,' " says Andrea. "Today, 850 children are not hidden away in institutions anymore. We have new connections every single day."

She adds: "If we had a full grant for every child on our website, we would have no children on our website. The cost is what is hard for people but every life is worth it. If we had more sponsors who could write a check for each of these kids and they would all have families. All of them."

And the proud mother says that her son Reece continues to be an inspiration.

"Reece," she says, "has helped so many families begin."