Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Helping Without Hurting Workshop!



The Lake and McHenry County Safe Family Network 
Presents a Workshop:
 
"Helping without Hurting" with Guest Speaker Lynn Clay, Certified Poverty Trainer

Tuesday, June 21st, 2016 at 7:00 PM 
Alpine Chapel
23153 West Miller Rd. Lake Zurich, IL 

 
 Caring for those who come from a background of poverty can often be confusing and complicated. We can do a lot of damage assuming everyone should be "like us." Sometimes those who desire to help, can even create damage to the very people they wish to serve. This workshop will help us learn to step into relationships with people who have a different way of approaching life and creating a bridge that allows us to walk back and forth between the worlds.

Lynn has been devoted to Christ for 25 years, a wife to Rich Clay for 24 years, a mom to Kristen (21) and Jasmine (17) and is on staff at The Chapel in Libertyville for the past 15 years. Her role at the Chapel includes being a chaplain at the Lake County Jail, overseeing the jail ministry volunteers, an Area Leader for small group leaders, and women's pastoral counseling. As a Certified Poverty Trainer, she and her team teach classes on how to help/partner with those in poverty without doing more harm than good. Her youngest daughter is adopted, putting her on a path to learn and grow in ways she never imagined and she is passionate about getting messy with relationships that take us out of our comfort zone. 

Coffee and Dessert will be provided

We hope you can join us to learn more about this important issue and meet local families volunteering with Safe Families and other area organizations.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Safe Families Summer Picnic!



Open to all current and prospective Safe Families volunteers!

Please bring a snack to share.  Water and games will be provided.

Located at the Rotary Shelter off of Walkup Avenue

Please RSVP as soon as possible at 815-341-0764

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Child Welfare System Success!

 

 

CaseyCast Podcast Highlights Delaware's Child Welfare System Successes

In recognition of National Foster Care Month, CaseyCast host Lisa Hamilton talks with Delaware Division of Family Services Director Shirley Roberts. Their conversation explores how the state’s child welfare system has excelled — and the valuable lessons it has learned along the way — in serving kids and youth in need.
Discussion points include: the power of family and family engagement; the state’s proactive approach to aiding at-risk teens; and how anyone can help support a child or youth in foster care.

Listen to the podcast

Monday, May 23, 2016

Ed's Tour de Adoption!



Dave Thomas’ commitment to giving back drives me to help and do much more.
Today, as I begin to transition my business to the next generation, I want to honor and recognize Dave Thomas, who not only taught me everything about running a successful business, but who also created the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to help children waiting to be adopted from foster care.


In that spirit, I am embarking on another journey – a "Tour de Adoption" via cycling across America, from Virginia Beach to San Diego. My goal will be raising funds & awareness by making stops along the way.  My dream is to ensure that the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, has my support to help the more than 107,000 abused and neglected children who are in foster care and waiting to be adopted move into a loving family and a permanent home.

Learn more about my story here: 
 
Video about my tour
Full details about my tour
Facebook
Twitter
 

Be sure to follow along using #edsadoptiontour ! 


Monday, May 16, 2016

Olympics to Bring Orphans Home!


 


 Join Project Home Children's Foundation on June 25 at Darien Community Park from 11-2 for food, games, raffle prizes and much more. They have another family waiting for an adoption grant and YOU can support them! 

This is an event for the whole family and one you won't want to miss!






Friday, May 13, 2016

Foster Care Info Meeting on Monday



Foster Care is Ministry!

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows…

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month.
Come hear how you can be the hands and feet of Christ in the life of a child and their family!

Monday, May 16, 2016
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60010
Room B105


Our communities are in great need of foster homes to serve children and youth of all ages, especially teenagers.

Come learn about Children’s Home + Aid (www.childrenshomeandaid.org), foster care, and the needs of the children and families whom they serve. If you choose to take the next step, you can take home a preliminary application at that meeting.  

Questions?  Contact vulnerablechildren@willowcreek.org

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Workshop: Sensory Integration!








The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry and
Bethany Christian Services
presents:


Sensory Integration:
Risk factors, warning signs
& what to do about it.

 
Sadly, children who have experienced prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol, early trauma, abuse, or neglect are at high-risk for sensory disorders. In this lecture, developmental psychologist and director of the TCU Institute of Child Development, Dr. Karyn Purvis, explains risk factors and warning signs for sensory processing disorders and offers practical interventions for parents and professionals.
 
*This workshop consists of a video and discussion facilitated by Alison Lamsma MA, LSW, from Bethany Christian Services.
 
 
  Wednesday, May 25, 2016
7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60016
Room: Guest Central (off the main lobby)
 
***Registration for this event is not required.
 
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.
http://www.willowcreek.org/midweekforkids

Monday, May 9, 2016

Join an Adult Adoptee Group





Adult Adoptee Group

people-outside.jpg
Please join us on May 25th from 6:30-8pm for a safe, informal, open discussion with adult adoptees in similar situations.  Join us if you are 18 years or older and have graduated from high school.  Whether you were adopted as an infant or an older child, from foster care or an orphanage, all adult adoptees are welcome! The group will be facilitated by Luke Mitchell and Amy Trotter, LCSW, who are both adult adoptees.


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

Monday, May 2, 2016

Building Connection With Teens!

Building Connection With Teens

Building relationships with a teenagers is an incredible experience, yet many adults are hesitant to engage with teens out of a fear of feeling unequipped or being rejected by them. Although teenagers have a way of bringing out our insecurities, it’s important to remember this is a direct result of their heightened insecurity and process of searching for their own identity.
Naturally teens begin to pull away from parental figures, seek close relationships with peers, and wrestle with individual identity.  Therefore, for many kids from foster care, struggles with parental attachment can intensify regardless of when a child entered the foster care system or was adopted. As a support team member, you have the opportunity to provide mentoring and build a life-changing relationship with a teen. Your life will undoubtedly be touched in ways you never expected as well!

What to Know About Mentoring a Teen

  • Mentoring can be informal. It could be as simple as getting together a few times a month to “hang out” or can be more formal with structured activities upon which you and the teen agree.
  • Own who you are instead of trying to be “cool.” Teens appreciate authenticity and often it’s a welcome change of pace to what they experience with their peers. Be yourself and be honest with who you are in order to build trust and respect.
  • Have fun and use humor when appropriate. When you’re able to laugh and enjoy the world around you, it will help teens to lower their guard. Avoid teasing them or using sarcasm until you know the teen well enough to determine whether or not this will be confusing or hurtful.
  • Communicate with them on their terms.  Sometimes teens are able to be more open and honest when they are texting you a message rather than having a face to face or phone conversation. Activities such as driving, walking, bowling, and playing video games allow the teenager to avoid eye contact and feelings of vulnerability.
  • Roll with it. Teenagers may tell you things that they know will make you uncomfortable just to see how you react. When this happens, it’s best to remain calm and as neutral as possible in order to build trust and confidence.
  •  Know and discuss what information can be kept confidential. Establish boundaries so teens know which information must be shared with their foster or adoptive parents and what will be held in confidence. If teenagers report self-harm, substance use, or sexual activity, it’s best to encourage them to talk to their parents, particularly if you have concerns about their safety. Let them know if you will need to share that information with another adult to attempt to preserve their trust.
www.project127.com