CAFO 2014 Live Webcast

 

 

Can't attend the CAFO Summit? 

Watch the Main Sessions via Live Webcast!

 

Broadcast Schedule

Thursday, May 1st

• General Session #1: 8:45am – 10:30am CT
• General Session #2: 7:00pm – 9:00pm CT

Friday, May 2nd

• General Session #1: 8:45am – 10:30am CT
• General Session #2: 7:00pm – 9:00pm CT

To watch the sessions, click HERE

CASA of McHenry Cty Recruitment Night

 

C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Court Advocates) of McHenry

Presents.......

 

Advocate Recruitment Night

 

What does a CASA advocate do? Do you have what it takes to be a voice for a child? 

Find answers to these questions and more at CASA of McHenry County's

 

Advocate Recruitment Night

Monday, April 21, 2014

7:00 - 8:30 pm

Crystal Lake Bank & Trust

Route 14 & Pyott Rd, Crystal Lake

 

Staff and advocates will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about the CASA program for those interested in becoming a CASA advocate for abused and neglected children.

 

For more information visit www.casamchenrycounty.org

Nia Vardalos to Speak At LSSI Benefit

 

CHICAGO, IL –On April 30, 2014, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) welcomes special guest speaker Nia Vardalos, author of “Instant Mom” and Academy Award-Nominated Writer and star of the film “MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING,” where she will share her powerful journey to motherhood. The event will take place at the Chicago Illuminating Company from 6:00pm-9:00pm and is open to the public.

Tickets sales start at $100.00, where guests can enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and entrance to the speaking engagement. The Chicago Illuminating Company, located at 19 E 21st St, Chicago, IL 60616, has a trendy yet sophisticated, state-of-the-art feel with magnificent detail. Tickets can be purchased online at www.LSSI.org. All proceeds will benefit Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

Nia’s book, “Instant Mom,” is approaching its one-year anniversary this April. After writing and starring in “MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING,” Nia Vardalos struggled through 10 years of fertility treatments. She published “Instant Mom”, a hilarious and poignant true chronicle of her quest to become a mother. Vardalos recounts her attempts to have a baby, and how she and her husband discovered Foster Family Agencies. In a quick life-changing decision, she became the mother of a three-year old girl. Proud of her decision, Vardalos looks to inspire others who are interested in adoption through foster care, one of the many services LSSI provides. Nia and her husband Ian are very private people, and to go public with their story in the book went against their nature. “But I felt if I did it, it might get more kids adopted,” Nia Vardalos says. “When we were matched with our daughter, and I became a ridiculously, gushingly happy mom, it dawned on me—I think I’m supposed to be using my big mouth to talk about adoption.”

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois was founded in 1867 and is the largest statewide social services provider in Illinois, offering 190 programs at 85 sites across Illinois. “We believe that we are called to care for our neighbors in need, and we believe that this calling is a gift and a privilege. The purpose of this benefit, featuring the amazing Nia Vardalos, is to raise money and awareness for the more than 96,700 people served by LSSI,” said David Jensen, President/COO of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.lssi.org.

 About Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) 
Founded in 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is a statewide not-for-profit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). LSSI is committed to caring for all people in need, regardless of religion, age or national origin, helping them to make essential changes, leading to better lives and communities. For more information, visit LSSI.org. 

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Media Contact:

Mack Scheurell
224.207.4338

Willow Creek's VCM Monthly Gathering

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry

Invites you to our monthly gathering

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

 

5:30 Dinner together (Atrium: look for the tables with our signs)

7:00 Worship service (Lakeside Auditorium)

7:30 Workshop (room B205/207)

 

Please register for the workshop at www.willowcreek.org/midweekclasses

(You will need to create a user name & password that you can use each month.)

 

Join us this month as we delve into the topic of cultural diversity. God has created a beautiful, multicultural tapestry of humanity all around us. Sometimes we are unsure about how to engage this diversity in healthy and loving ways. Come explore the special opportunities that multi-racial families have to develop the richness of cultural diversity in their lives. If you are a foster, adoptive, or Safe Families host family, this can be especially helpful as you most likely deal with multicultural differences on a daily basis. Our guest speaker for the evening is Austin Brown.

 

Austin Brown began her journey as a racial reconciler beginning in college when she experienced a 3-day bus trip exploring Civil Rights throughout the South.  She was never the same.  She has a masters degree in Social Justice, and directed a short-term missions site on the west side of Chicago, where she created interactive opportunities for young people to engage in issues of poverty, injustice and race.  Austin is currently a Multicultural Ministry Specialist at the Willow Creek Community Church Chicago Campus.

 

Childcare is available with Midweek for Kids (ages 0-grade 5)

 

 

 

Team Lydia: Chicago Marathon

When you join Team LYDIA, you can reach your personal fitness goals while providing HOPE to our KIDS and families through your pledges and donations.

We have guaranteed entries!

Don't want to take your chance in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon lottery registration March 19 - April 7? Team LYDIA has a limited number of GUARANTEED entries to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2014. You can secure your spot by signing a Commitment Letter and by raising a minimum of $1,000. Secure your spot NOW by joining Team LYDIA, and then fundraise to give HOPE to LYDIA kids! (Participants are required to register independently and pay the $185 race entry fee.)

As a member of Team LYDIA you will receive: 

• The opportunity to provide HOPE to LYDIA’s children and families 
• Invitation to exclusive team event
• Team LYDIA running shirt (with $150 fundraising minimum)
• Reimbursement of your race entry fee when you raise a minimum of $2,000
• Running merchandise awarded at fundraising benchmarks
• Chance to win top fundraising prize (gift card)
• Customized fundraising webpage and social media, giving friends, family and co-workers an easy way to donate and support you
• Virtual training program for anyone who raises $500
• CARA membership and training program for anyone who raises $1,000 (marathon only with signed Commitment Letter)

Help us grow Team LYDIA. Refer a Friend.

When you Refer a Friend* who then joins Team LYDIA, you will receive a $25 sports store gift card.
* Friend must register for the race and raise a minimum of $250. Gift cards will be awarded as the referred member fulfills his or her fundraising commitment.

Team LYDIA has a spot for you.

2 SIMPLE STEPS

1.  Register for the race of your choice on the race website. Contact us first for any race discount codes.
2.  Sign up for Team LYDIA and create your own, free fundraising page.

Need more info?

Contact Meredith Kober at 773-653-2248 or mkober@lydiahome.org  with any questions. Click here to support Team LYDIA or access fundraising pages.

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit 2014

Top 10 Reasons to Love CAFO2014! From heartbreak to jubilation, you'll feel it all as you hear some of the world's most compelling speakers and stories! Sara Groves, Andrew Peterson and other great artists lead worship, live lunchtime music and more. From connecting with an adopted child at home to global orphan care partnerships, CAFO2014 has 100+ workshops to guide wise action! Woah. Visits to exhibit booths win free stuff: iPad, Kindle, books & more. That's right! This road isn't supposed to be walked alone. Find new friends and allies who will go the distance with you! Two amazing days for far less than most any national conference.  When you or your church join CAFO as a member, the price is even lower! Want to dive extra deep in parenting skills, church ministry, orphan care research or other key topics?  Come a day early and get even more. Hear what's on the minds of top thought leaders when they can't sleep at night: the cutting edge ideas and insights that carry huge potential to impact lives. Join a live radio audience, screen new films, walk the journey of a foster youth, and much more! Rooting adoption, foster care and global initiatives deep in the heart of God: "We love because He first loved us!"

R E G I S T E R