C.A.S.A. Fundraiser

CASA Cup: A Night at the Races September 21, 2013
	A fundraising event supporting abused and neglected children in McHenry County!
McHenry County's only broomstick horse race! Quick Links Our Website Contact Us Purchase Tickets Thanks to our Sponsors!   Trifeta Sponsors: Bulk Lift International Corvus Industries     Win Sponsors: Crystal Lake Bank & Trust Northwest Herald Rabine Group Foundation     Place Sponsors: Centegra Health Systems Dr. Greg Sierminski Dorion-Gray Retirement Planning Express Employment Professionals Folio Press Hammerhead Design Home State Bank  Sage Products, Inc.     For Sponsorship Opportunties visit http://casamchenrycounty.org   Buy Your Tickets Today! Purchase tickets and broomstick horses on-line   The stables are filling up as we move closer to race day, September 21. You can purchase your broomstick horse and/or tickets to the CASA Cup on-line -casacup2013.eventbrite.com   Tickets are $75 per person (price includes admission, games, beer/wine tasting, and hors d'oeuvres) or $250 per broomstick horse (price includes the above and one broomstick horse to be raced at the event).   Experience the finest broomstick horse racing in McHenry County along with a great silent acution, fabulous raffle, food, drink and more!   All proceeds will help train community volunteers who advocate in court for abused and neglected children in McHenry County. Help lift up a child, help lift up their voice!     September 21, 2013   7 pm - 11 pm   at the   Turnberry Country Club   9600 Turnberry Trail   Lakewood, IL 60014   Please visit our website at www.casamchenrycounty.org Purchase tickets at casacup2013.eventbrite.com

Orphan Justice Conference Coming to Chicago Area

There are 153 million orphaned and vulnerable children in the world that desperately need someone to show them the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Learn more about the orphan crisis and what you and your church can do to help these children in need.

 

The conference includes inspirational training and workshops on raising awareness, developing an effective orphan ministry in your church, waiting children with special needs, and more. The main speaker will be Johnny Carr; celebrated author of Orphan Justice—How to Care for Orphans Beyond Adopting.

 

Saturday, October 19, 2013
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

 

Trinity Christian College
Grand Lobby—Ozinga Chapel
6601 W College Dr
Palos Heights, IL 60463

 

To register click HERE.

Event Schedule
  9:00 – 10:30 General Session
10:30 – 10:50 Break
10:50 – 11:40 Workshop
11:40 – 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 1:20 Workshop
  1:20 – 2:00 Closing General Session

Workshop Options

Developing an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church
(Johnny Carr, author of Orphan Justice—How to Care for Orphans Beyond Adopting)
Johnny has helped to develop orphan care ministries at churches throughout the U.S. He will share his experience and expertise on getting started and how to maintain a successful ministry.

Orphan Crisis 101: Be the Solution. Change Your World
(Diane Elliot, author of The Global Orphan Crisis)
The orphan crisis encompasses the globe but looks different in our back yard and around the world. This seminar will take a look at what the crisis currently looks like, what is being done to serve orphaned children, and how we can be part of the solution.

Lifesong for Orphans
(Rich Metcalfe, Program Director for Lifesong for Orphans)
In partnering with over 250 churches in 40 states, Lifesong helps to bring culture changing orphan care to 8 countries – India, Ukraine, Liberia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Honduras, Bolivia and Guatemala. Come and learn how your church can partner in innovative orphan care and establish a cost free way to assist families with the financial expenses for their domestic and international adoptions.

Waiting Children with Special Needs
(Alison Lamsma, International Adoption Coordinator, Bethany Christian Services of Illinois)
There are children all over the world with special needs that are waiting to be adopted. Alison will talk about the types of special needs, the process of adoption, and ways for your church to raise awareness.

Biblical Hospitality through Safe Families for Children™
(Melissa Dykema, Safe Families for Children Coordinator, Bethany Christian Services of Illinois)
Safe Families for Children™ is a program designed to help parents facing a crisis by providing a temporary home for their children, while they address the situation. Melissa will be discussing how your church can recruit host families for these children in need.

Brought to you by:
- Bethany Christian Services of Illinois  
- Trinity Christian College
- Chicago Alliance for Orphans

For questions contact Bethany Christian Services at 708.385.4889

To register click HERE.

New Conference on Engaging Faith in Foster Youth

This first-of-its-kind national conference will dive-deep on how to effectively love and serve youth in foster care.   Families for Children will inspire and equip churches, families, and professionals for sustainable ministry to children and their families.    WORKSHOP TRACKS INCLUDE: *Building a Church Ministry: Basic & Advanced *Help for Foster and Adoptive Families *Government & Social Workers
Christian Alliance for Orphans  |  6723 Whittier Ave., McLean, VA 22101 Visit www.cafo.org/orlando or email info@cafo.org

Teen Adoption Group

Uniquely Me: How adoption has shaped me.

EXCITED scared SAFE Happy CONFUSED relief

Angry Shy hopeful SAD

Adoption stirs up many thoughts and feelings, things that others cannot fully

understand unless they were in your shoes. Please join us as we bring together a
group of teenagers who have similar adoption stories and talk through both the
joys and struggles of their unique experiences. This group will allow you to interact
with those who “get you.”

Join us for an 8-week journey of self-discovery and healing. Topics will include:

 

• Difficulties of being adopted from a different country

• Dealing with sadness and grief

• Adjusting to a new family and culture

• How to cope with stress

• How your unique story can shape your future

WHEN: Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 PM beginning Sept 26 - Nov 21 (excluding Oct 31)

WHERE: Cherry Hill Counseling Center at 61 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

CONTACT: Amy Tanner at 847-438-4222 x17 or amy@cherryhillcounseling.com

COST: $40.00 per session 
Facilitators: Amy Tanner, LCSW and  Ashley Yergler, MA, LPC

This workshop is for:

1) Teenagers between the ages of 14-19
2) Internationally adopted
3) Old enough at the time of adoption to remember prior life experiences before adoption

Webinar: 4 Keys to Help Your Adopted Child Thrive at School

 

School's In Session      Quick Links Joint Council Website Donate Now Sponsors     New Webinar! September,17th 2013  7:00 PM Central Q&A: 8:00 PM  4 Keys to Help Your Adopted Child Thrive at School   Each school year can bring a new set of challenges to adopted kids, no matter how old they are. Explaining adoption, home countries or birth families to new classmates and facing new school projects, can bring on different feelings as children grow. Join us for a webinar featuring adoptive mom and adoption therapist Judy Stigger, LCSW and Carmen Knight, an internationally adopted person and teacher who works with many adopted kids. Judy and Carmen will share both professional advice and personal experiences to help parents: Understand what questions, concerns and capabilities children have at different ages/stages Respond when projects or classroom discussions trigger adoption related questions Gain insight into what to do when going to school and getting homework done is a battle Educate teachers and school staff about all types of diversity: racial, blended families, adoption and more.           Submit your questions to our panel here

Trauma Guide for Pediatricians

Foundation partners with AAP, Jockey Being Family to develop trauma guide for pediatricians.  Please download & print a copy to give to your pediatrician.

A child who has experienced trauma needs doctors and families who understand its effects. Research shows that a child’s developing brain can be rewired because of the trauma they experience, according to a new publication from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
In order to give pediatricians all of the tools they need to help children in foster care, the Foundation partnered with the AAP and Jockey International’s Jockey Being Family program to develop “Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope with Trauma.”

The guide was designed to help pediatricians support foster and adoptive families by being better at identifying traumatized children; educating families about toxic stress; the possible biological, behavioral and social effects trauma has; and empowering families to be more adaptive in their responses to their children’s behaviors.
The guide for pediatricians is available now and can be downloaded from AAP’s website

Input Sought From Adoptive Families

The Donaldson Adoption Institute is conducting a new study exploring the experiences and needs of different types of adoptive families. Their purpose is to enhance training of adoption professionals and improve services for children and their parents. If you would like to take part in this study or find out more about it, please contact Dr. David Brodzinsky  at 510.985.1772 or dbrodzinsky@adoptioninstitute.org, or go directly to the 30-minute, online survey: www.research.net/s/ZK8T7Y8.

Transracial Adoption: Expert Advice If You’re Adopting Transracially

The following article is taken from the America Adopts blog.



Posted by Lawrence on Thursday, July 25, 2013

 

Thanks to high profile adoptions by Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Madonna and other celebrities, transracial adoption has been into the spotlight.  About 40% of all adoptions in the United States today are transracial.

But how easy is it to raise a child of a different race? Are there special considerations that need to be taken? Should he or she be parented in the same way as any other child?

 

When it comes to transracial adoption, many people go into the process thinking that love is enough — it can fix everything. Others, however, argue that not only does this approach not do children any favors. It can also cause them irreparable harm.

 

Recently I had a chance to talk to Krista McCoy about what adoptive parents, birth parents and adoption professionals need to know about raising children who have been adopted across racial lines.

 

To read the full article click HERE.

It's Our Little Secret Fundraiser for Children in Foster Care

It's Our Little Secret (IOLS) Break a Thon for Abused Children

Sunday, October 6, 2013

 

 

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Harper College, 1200 W Algonquin, Palatine, IL 60067

It's Our Little Secret (IOLS) is a non-profit organization comprised exclusively of volunteers dedicated to providing a voice to sexually, physically, and emotionally abused children and teens through advocacy, mentoring, and creative expression.  It is their goal to make a difference in the lives of the children through various IOLS specific programs so they will learn to live and not just survive.

Description:

1000 Days of Commitment Break a Thon for Abused Children in the Illinois Foster Care System.  On Sunday, October 6th It's Our Little Secret, a registered 501c3 will partner with the Chicago Martial Arts Association to raise money to sponsor abused children to participate in the IOLS's Martial Arts program for teens in the Illinois Foster Care System. 

The event will showcase the Jesse White Tumblers and local Martial Arts schools will show demos and break boards on behalf of child abuse awareness, Raffle Prizes, Entertainment by DJ Opski and Master Park with Kaya Martial Arts will break 1000 boards; which will be submitted to the Guinness World Records for certification.

Money will be raised for Child Abuse Awareness 4 different ways:
 
* "Break a Thon" - You may purchase boards at $5 each and have a student break them for IOLS.  Master Park will break 1000 boards for IOLS.  You may donate boards for him to break at $10 each.

* Come see the show - Everyone is invited to come see the show.  The entry fee is $10 for Adults; Children 4+ are $5.  Children 3 & under are free.

* Raffle Tickets - Local businesses are donating items to be raffled off the day off.  Raffle tickets will be $10.

* Donation - You may donate any amount directly to IOLS, for Child Abuse Prevention Programs.  Please make all checks out to It's Our Little Secret.  You may send donations to 11946 Brunschon Lane, Huntley Illinos 60142.  IOLS is a registered 501c3 and you will receive a receipt with a Tax ID# so that your donation will be tax deductible.  All proceeds will go directly to IOLS.
 
For more information or to sponsor; please email info@itsourlittlesecret.org or call 331-431-1056.     www.itsourlittlesecret.org  

Webinar: The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good

YOU'RE INVITED...

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER OF DOING GOOD

Wednesday, August 28, 2013  |  2:00 PM (Eastern)

 

A movement of doing good has begun: We serve. We give. We go. But dangers accompany our service. Burnout. Failed marriages. Spiritual disillusionment. Candidly, Peter Greer calls us to rediscover the foundation of our service … and to recognize the greatest dangers come from within.
 

PRESENTED BY:

Peter Greer is president & CEO of HOPE International and author of “The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good” (released August 1, 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.  Each 60-minute webinar is free and will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide.

Ugandan Orphan Finally Sees Justice for His Family

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE

When 13-year-old Nelson’s parents died, he and his siblings faced an uncertain future. At first, relatives took them in and supported them. But as Nelson grew up, these same relatives started harassing and threatening him, trying to get rid of Nelson and keep his home instead. I just got word that the two relatives who made death threats against Nelson and repeatedly tried to steal his family’s home were convicted for their crimes. This is huge news for Nelson, and it’s a reminder for the whole community that the laws can work – no matter how poor or vulnerable you are. We met Nelson three years ago. He’d heard that IJM Kampala helps orphans like him when people try to steal their homes. IJM lawyers stood up for his rights, and social workers provided a safe haven when Nelson and his siblings feared for their lives. We helped them get medical care and stay in school. And now, this conviction means that his violent relatives can’t harm him anymore. Now that they are safe at home, Nelson, 23, says he’s determined to take care of his siblings and “build a future.” Thank you for standing with us as we help build a new future for orphans and widows in Uganda. Gratefully, Sean Litton Senior Vice President of Field Operations www.ijm.org

Monthly Pot-Luck Gathering

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry at Willow Creek invites you to a Pot-Luck Gathering for

adoptive, foster and Safe Families

Sunday, August 18^th, 2013

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Willow Creek Community Church, 67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Room F150 (Park in parking lot F and follow signs downstairs to room F150)

 Dinner begins promptly at 5:00.  Please bring a dish to pass.  Beverages are provided.

Please R.S.V.P. to vcministry127@gmail.com 

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

Guest Speaker: Joyce Moffitt    

Topic: The ABC’s of Becoming a Advocate for your Child’s Educational Needs

Your involvement in the education process is critical.  This training session will inform foster parents, adoptive parents, and safe family parents the basic information and skills necessary to advocate for and obtain quality special education and developmental services (including modifications) for the children in their care who are between the ages of three to 18 years old. Come and learn strategies and tips on how to work in partnership with your school district on behalf of the children who are in your care.   Foster parents will be able to obtain continuing education credit hours for attending this class.

WISE Up! Workshop for Adoptive Families

Sunny Ridge Family Center Presents.....

 

W.I.S.E. Up! Workshop for Adoptive Families

 

Saturday, September 28

Sunny Ridge Family Center, Bolingbrook, IL

 

WISE Up! is a parent/child workshop for children in Grades 1 through 3, and Grades 4 - 6, along with their parent(s). WISE Up! offers practical tools for both adoptive parents and adopted children (both internationally and domestically) to guide them in making choices on how to respond to uncomfortable or personal questions about their adoption.

 

A morning workshop from 10:00am to 12 Noon is offered for children in Grades 1 to 3; the afternoon session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm is offered to children Grades 4 to 6.

 

See the registration page to Register for Grades 1 to 3 or Register for Grades 4 to 6.