Come for Portraits and Pizza!

Adoptive Families, Foster Families and
Safe Families Hosts
  Are invited to attend a  

Family Photo Night

Hosted by the Vulnerable Children’s Ministry

Wednesday, January 11^th, 2017
Willow Creek Community Church/So. Barrington
Room TBD
5:30 – 7:30pm
 

 

Have a FREE family portrait and/or child’s portrait taken.

• Foster/Safe Families: Many children in protective care do not have pictures to remember important people or events in their lives, or even a picture of themselves.  Bring your Foster or Safe Families child to take a photo they can keep forever! 

• Take a photo with your family or invite the child’s family to come.If you know of a sibling group, all families are welcome to bring the kids together for a fun evening! 

• Adoptive Families: Take advantage of taking that long overdue family portrait you’ve been meaning to arrange! 

 

 Enjoy FREE pizza and salad!

Come for community with other adoptive, foster and Safe Families!

Please R.S.V.P. to vcministry127@gmail.com so that we can get a count for food and photographers.

Help an Orphan Find their Forever Family!

Just TWO Weeks Left! Miracle of Adoption

We have just two weeks remaining of our Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign!

Thank you for bearing with us! Thank you for bearing with us when we had our server problem last Friday. Everything is running smoothly again, so please stop by the MACC page! GO NOW!

We've raised $70,000+ Seven children have found their family! AND 35 kids have made their $1000 MACC goal! BUT there are still 65 who need your help to make the goal! TODAY we have an $8000 BUMP MATCH! When a child is bumped over the $500 mark, our donor will bump the BOTTOM child over the $500 mark too! DONATE DONATE NOW!

DONATE NOW!

Tween Support Group!

New Tween Group!

We are dedicated to supporting our Holt-Sunny Ridge families for life — through every age and stage. And recently, we’ve heard a lot of you ask for a program especially for your tween-aged kids…  So we are very excited to announce a brand new Tween Adoptee Group at Holt-Sunny Ridge! Starting on December 13, we invite all 11 to 14-year-olds to come together for a fun, interactive time that focuses on building self worth. The group will be led by Carly Schrimpl, LCSW, and will take place from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at our office in Bolingbrook the second Tuesday of each month. While tweens meet, parents can also meet together at our office.  Click here to register for the first Tween Adoptee Group on December 13! The cost is $20 per child, and space is limited.  If you have any questions, please contact Pam Shepard, Supervisor of Clinical Services, at pams@holtsunnyridge.org or 630-754-4523. We hope to see you there!

HOLT-SUNNY RIDGE 270 Remington Blvd, Suite D Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440

   

Adopteen Midpoint Retreat in Oregon!

Registration for the Adopteen Midpoint Retreat in Oregon is open!

Adopteen focuses on providing positive, face to face opportunities for teen adoptees ages 13 and up.  It’s a chance to meet other adoptees in a casual and positive environment that is organized and led by young adult adoptees!  We host events throughout the year and travel to a different part of the country each time.  We strive to make new friends, and take pride in who we are and where we come from.

Midpoint is a chance for adoptees to get a quick taste of Adopteen.  It’s a whole Camp-Conference packed into a long weekend - a small dose of all the fun a Camp-Conference has to offer.  We will be going to Gresham, Oregon this year, which is 30 minutes outside of Portland, from January 14-16th. We are excited to be surrounded by the beautiful woods for our outdoor adventure!

Click below for a quick overview of what our Camp-Conferences have to offer!

You can find out more information about Adopteen Midpoint Oregon by clicking here.

For more information about Adopteen and to register, visit www.adopteen.org or email info@adopteen.org! 

Kate Cruz | Program Assistant
6920 S. Holly Circle, Centennial, CO 80112 | (303) 850-9998 x14
kate@adopteen.org | www.adopteen.org 

 

Young Adult Adoptee Group!

Upcoming Group - December 6th

Young Adult Adoptee Group This event is for older teens and adults (15 years old or older) who would like to discuss adoption-related topics in a safe and open environment. Parents can also attend a separate group simultaneously, led by a licensed therapist (no fee for parents, but please RSVP). Discussions will range in topics from: peer relationships,  launching out of their parents home,  college/career,  and other adoption related issues. Facilitated by Pam Shepard, LCSW and an adult-adoptee.

When? December 6, 2016 Tuesday, 6:30pm to 8:00pm Where? Holt-Sunny Ridge Children's Services 270 Remington Blvd  Suite D  Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Register Here!

Holt-Sunny Ridge | 630-754-4500 | illinois@holtsunnyridge.org

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Tour!

CASA 101: Basics of CASA in 15 minutes

Monday, December 5, 2016

5:30 pm

CASA of McHenry County Office 

70 N. Williams St., Suite B, Crystal Lake, IL

You are invited to the CASA Office on Monday, December 5 at 5:30 pm for a 15 minute "tour" of our work. If you have ever wondered what CASA does or are curious how you can get involved, this invite is for you. We are excited to share our impact and how you can be a part of it.  

15 minutes of your time is all it takes to change a child's life. 

Share this email with someone you think would like to join us!

Light refreshments provided.

 Can't make it? Give the office a call at 779-994-4398 or email kelly@casamchenrycounty.org.

	;
Please visit our website at www.casamchenrycounty.org

New Video Series for Adoptive Parents!

A 14 Video Series with Study Guide

ROOTED is Now Available! 

After much anticipation and by God’s grace, we are pleased to announce that the ROOTED online video course and companion study guide is now available! 

Many families with adopted children are struggling and some are even falling apart. These struggling families are in your church. They may be in your extended family. Or maybe you would raise your hand and say, “we need some help ourselves.”In our ministry to equip churches to help orphans, Hope for Orphans has seen the growing need for parenting resources for adoptive families. ROOTED is an answer to this need. 

The ROOTED online course and companion study guide are designed for parents anywhere in the adoption process, whether you are considering adoption for the first time or have had your children in your family for years. It’s also designed to be used by church orphan ministries, adoption/foster care agencies, and biblical counselors.

ROOTED provides hope-filled, gospel-focused exhortations from teachers like Paul Tripp and Voddie Baucham, as well as practical advice from experts like the director of the Mayo Clinic’s center for holistic health, the leader of the Play Therapy Institute at Texas State University and the President of the Association of Biblical Counselors.

 
Rooted: Gospel Driven Parenting for Struggling Families from Hope for Orphans on Vimeo.

“Full of sound biblical teaching and wisdom, along with practical tips and counseling expertise. I highly recommend this as a guide as you seek to nurture your kids and lead them to Jesus.”—Josh McDowell, author and speaker

“A phenomenal, gospel-driven resource that I hope ends up in the hands of every family that has adopted or is thinking about adoption.”—Matt Carter, Pastor of Preaching, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, Texas
“Honest. Authentic. Gritty. Biblical.”—John Fuller, Co-Host, Focus on the Family. Founding Board Member, CAFO

To learn more or to purchase the videos and workbooks for your church, family, or organization, visit hopefororphans.org/rooted.

The Most Anticipated Event of the Year!

In honor of Orphan Sunday, bring your kids to this family friendly event, and  help with hands-on projects that will serve vulnerable children in our community!

 

Pizza! Movie! Princesses! Superheroes!
Prizes! Photo Ops!
FREE admission when you RSVP Here.

Section Communities and Willow Creek's Vulnerable Children's Ministry, Safe Families for Children, Trafficking Ministry, Refugee Ministry, Kids Hope, Royal Family Kids Camp, & Angel Tree join together for the first time to bring you the most anticipated event of the year!

We are bringing a message of hope to the true superheros in the world today, orphans & vulnerable children!!!!

  Saturday, November 5th at 3PM
Willow Creek Community Church, So. Barrington, IL

Participate in hands-on projects that will serve orphans and children at risk! Kids are invited to walk through Activity Stations to help us complete the projects with help from their favorite Super Heroes and Princesses.

We will provide the supplies, pizza dinner with Movie Feature: Tangled, entertainment, drawings, prizes, and interactive live Storytime Show! Our favorite characters will help kids understand how much courage it takes to follow their dreams and be heroes! The Storytime interactive show starts directly after Willow's 5:30PM Love Everyone, Always message. 

It's all FREE, but you must RSVP! For a complete schedule of activities, click here!

Please share this email, or invite friends on Facebook! 

See you there!

Give Yourself A Break!

Parents' Night Out

We'll take care of your kiddos while you take care of you!
 

Saturday, October 22, from 5 - 8pm

at
Church of the Resurrection
935 W. Union Ave.
Wheaton, IL 60187

Does your child have a costume they love to wear? For this parents' night out, our children's activities will be costume themed! Dressing up is welcomed, but not required.

 

Every parent struggles to find those peaceful moments to savor some hot coffee, read a good book, spend time in silence with God, or plan a date night with your spouse. So let us help you! We've planned a fun-filled night for your children while you enjoy a night out. Drop your children off after 5 pm and pick them up before 8 pm. All children are welcome.

**Please bring your children fed. We will NOT be providing dinner**

Things to do in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn Area:
Coffee shops: River City Roasters, Starbucks, Blackberry Market

Restaurants: Gia Mia, Mai Thai, A Toda Madre, Front Street Cantina, Bricks Wood Fire Pizza, India Palace, Muldoon's, Fire and Wine, Ivy Restaurant, Suzette's Creperie, Tasting Devine

 

 Movie theater: Glen Art Theater, AMC

Arts & Crafts: Out on a Whim (Paint your own Pottery)
 

**Please RSVP no later than October 18**
Donations of either $10 or $15 per family to cover childcare costs are welcomed, but not required
Any Questions? Contact Hollee at replanted@churchrez.org

RSVP Here

 

Workshop: Facilitating Behavioral Change!

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry and
Bethany Christian Services

Presents

An Empowered to Connect Workshop!

Join us for our final Empowered to Connect workshop of the year! 

This video-driven workshop will be facilitated by Alison Lamsma, MA, LSW from Bethany Christian Services.

Topic: Facilitating Behavioral Change: Tragically, children with histories of abuse, neglect, or trauma are more likely to display "problem behaviors", which are often driven by fear.  Dr. Karyn Purvis explores the concepts of connecting and correcting principles.
 

Wednesday, October 26th
7:30pm - 8:45pm
Willow Creek Community Church, Room: Guest Central (off the main lobby)
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60010

 

 ***Training Credit Hours are offered for licensed foster parents.

Questions?  E-mail vulnerablechildren@willowcreek.org

Childcare for infants through pre-K is available, and Awana is available for Kindergarten through Grade 5 at Midweek for Kids.

New support group forming!

JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP!

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry at Willow Creek, and Replanted ministry at Church of the Resurrection are pleased to announce that a new support group for adoptive, foster and Safe Families host parents is being formed.

Our support groups are safe places for families to share their journeys with one another. We desire for these groups to be a place of encouragement and prayer for families as they care for children. With that as the heart of our ministry, we ask that families seek to commit to these support groups, to intentionally plan for these monthly meetings in order to create relationship and community with other families. We believe that as families and children grow in relationship, that these groups can become a place of deep trust and encouragement for all involved.

When: Beginning October 20th and then monthly - every 3rd Thursday of the month from 6:15-8:15pm. (Oct 2016-May 2017, with no meeting in Dec.)

Where: A home in South Barrington, IL

Childcare: Childcare is provided by trained volunteers who understand the special needs of kids who have experienced loss and trauma.

Dinner: Dinner will be provided for parents by volunteers.  Please have your kids fed before you come.

Curriculum: The group will follow a curriculum designed specifically for adoptive and foster parents.
 

Registration is limited, so register now! (The So. Barrington group is currently listed as Elgin/Bolingbrook.  Click that selection to register for So.Barrington)
 

REGISTER HERE