Safe Families Reception at Willow Creek

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry at Willow Creek invites you to a

Safe Families Reception 

Saturday, March 12 from 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM (after the 5:30 service)

Willow Creek Community Church, room B207

67 Algonquin Road South Barrington, IL 60010

 

Please join us for a light dinner and social hour for the whole family.

Connect with other Safe Families volunteers in the community.

We will be passing out Care Bags for your upcoming guest and mattress pad covers.  There will be coloring activities for the kids.  We will have additional Safe Families literature available for you to take and share with others.  Let us know any other needs you may have.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Safe Families for Children's Program; either as a Host Family, Family Friend or Resource Friend are invited to attend.  There are many ways to be involved.  

Feel free to contact Susan Albrecht at sbcreeker@yahoo.com or Teri Altpeter at terialtpeter@att.net for further information.

We hope to see you there!

Book review: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

I recently finished reading this fascinating book, and highly recommend reading and learning more about this part of American history.  Although Orphan Train is a novel, it gives great insight into the history of the Orphan Train movement, and beautifully weaves in the plight of today's orphans in the foster care system.  - Dina Ackermann

Overview

Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude?

As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community-service position helping an elderly widow clean out her attic is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren't as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past.

Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful tale of upheaval and resilience, second chances, and unexpected friendship.

Buy Orphan Train

Attachment: Why It Matters Workshop!

Join us all year long for Empowered to Connect workshops, every 4th Wednesday of the month!  These workshops are video-driven, and facilitated by an adoption professional from Bethany Christian Services. This month we will present Attachment: Why It Matters, Part 1 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 7:30 - 8:45 PM Willow Creek Community Church 67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60010 Room: Guest Central (off the main lobby)   This video explores the critical role of attachment in a child’s development. Most of us think of attachment as a loving bond between parent and child. But what happens if a child doesn’t receive nurturing, consistent care from a loving parent early in life? Can a parent love a child or a child love a parent, but still not feel securely connected? And what are the consequences of insecure attachments? In this video, adoptive parents share their struggles and successes in pursuit of these answers and experts will share fascinating and encouraging research that reveals how secure attachments can help counter the effects of early trauma. ***Registration for this event is not required. This workshop is offered FREE of charge. ***Training Credit Hours are offered for licensed foster parents. Questions?  E-mail vcministry127@gmail.com Childcare for infants through pre-K is available, and Awana is available for Kindergarten through Grade 5 at Midweek for Kids.

Pizza & Play Night for Adoptive & Foster Families!

When: Saturday, March 12th from 4 – 7 PM

Where: Westlake Christian Academy
275 South Lake Street
Grayslake, IL 60030 (Get Directions)

Cost:   $5 per person (for pizza and beverages; Kids 5 years and under are free)

RSVP: Send an email to buildingfamilies@chapel.org – Please let us know your name and how many people (over age 5) will attend so that we can estimate how much pizza to order)

Other Details:

• We will have access to the cafeteria and gymnasium. There will be lots of room for everyone to play!
• If you wish to bring a game that is appropriate for your child or children’s age, please feel free. (please avoid noise-makers)
• If you wish to bring some arts & crafts supplies (for those of us, young and old, who like that) please feel free.
• If you wish to bring an appetizer or desert, please feel free.
• We’ll need a little help with set-up and clean-up. If you are able to come a little early or stay late, please let us know.
• You do NOT have to be in a support group or attend the Chapel to attend

Teaching TBRI Concepts Through Books

If you have attended a TBRI ® — or Trust-Based Relational Intervention — training, you are familiar with these phrases: re-do, asking or telling, accepting no, and compromise or negotiate.  Social worker Cindy R. Lee has written several children’s books using these important concepts or life scripts as the main storyline.  As a therapist who works with kids who come from hard places, I find these books extremely helpful in communicating some of these important messages to young children.  You can order the books on Amazon.  Here are some of the titles:

“The Redo Roo”
“Baby Owl Lost Her Whoo”
“The Penguin and the Fine Looking Fish”
“Doggie Doesn’t Know ‘No’!”
“It’s Tough to be Gentle; A Dragon’s Tale”

Each of the books provides a two-page explanation of the TBRI ® concept, technique or strategy that the story is about.  They also provide teaching tips for parents and colorful illustrations for the kids!

Pam Shepard | LCSW, Supervisor of Clinical Services, Holt-Sunnyridge.

To learn more about the TBRI model of intervention, click here.

Parents' Fun Night Out!

Parents' Fun Night Out We'll take care of your kiddos while you take care of you! LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Saturday, February 20, from 5 - 8pm at Church of the Resurrection 935 W. Union Ave. Wheaton, IL 60187 Does your child have a favorite Superhero? For this self-care night, our children's activities will be superhero 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. **We will provide pizza for the kids** REGISTER HERE! Things to do in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn Area: Coffee shops: River City Roasters, Starbucks, Blackberry Market Restaurants: Mai Thai, A Toda Madre, Front Street Cantina, Bricks Wood Fire Pizza, India Palace, Muldoon's, Fire and Wine, Gia Mia, 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 February 15** Donations of either $10 or $15 per family to cover childcare costs are welcomed, but not required Any Questions? Contact Jenn at replanted@churchrez.org

Holt-Sunnyridge Offering TBRI Workshops!

  TBRI Workshop Early Bird Registration is Now Open!


Are you looking for parenting strategies to help you address your child’s trauma history?
Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), is an emerging intervention model developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross (authors of the popular book “The Connected Child”) at the TCU Institute of Child Development.

Holt-Sunny Ridge Children’s Services and The University of Chicago Adoption Center are excited to announce workshops on Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®). Led by Pam Shepard, LCSW, Supervisor of Clinical Services at Holt-Sunny Ridge and Shelly Roy, LCSW, Contract therapist at Holt-Sunny Ridge.  Pam and Shelly are both TBRI (R) Practitioners and Educators.

30 people maximum

CEU’s for LSW/LCSW and forms for foster family DCFS self-submission training credits available; no child care provided.

For more information about TBRI visit www.child.tcu.edu.

For workshop questions contact Pam Shepard, LCSW at pams@holtsunnyridge.org or call (630) 754-4522.

REGISTER HERE!

Early Bird Prices:

$60.00 per person/per workshop
$85 per person/per workshop with CEU
$195 per person, all 4 workshops
$295 per person, all 4 workshops w/CEU

Holt-Sunnyridge
270 Remington Blvd, Suite D
Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440
PH: 630-754-4500

Workshop: Attachment - Why It Matters

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry and Bethany Christian Services 

presents

Training Options for adoptive, foster & Safe Families

Healthy Family Video Series

 

Wednesday, February 24

7:30 PM – 8:45 PM

Willow Creek Community Church
Room: Guest Central (off the main lobby)

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60016

This Month's Topic: Attachment - Why It Matters: Part 1

This video workshop explores the critical role of attachment in a child’s development. Most of us think of attachment as a loving bond between parent and child. But what happens if a child doesn’t receive nurturing, consistent care from a loving parent early in life? Can a parent love a child or a child love a parent, but still not feel securely connected? And what are the consequences of insecure attachments? In this video, adoptive parents share their struggles and successes in pursuit of these answers and experts will share fascinating and encouraging research that reveals how secure attachments can help counter the effects of early trauma.

This workshop is video-driven, and facilitated by an adoption professional from Bethany Christian Services.

***Registration for this event is not required. Workshop is FREE!

Questions?  E-mail vcministry127@gmail.com

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

http://www.willowcreek.org/midweekforkids