Grow Your Heart of Compassion

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry

Presents a Foster Care Simulation

"Life in Limbo”

Wednesday, May 10^th, 2017

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Willow Creek Community Church

Room B100 (under the chapel)

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Come to engage in a unique foster care experience that will allow you to “walk a mile in their shoes.” Through this simulation experience, you will take on the role of a foster care child, foster care parent, or birth parent. You will deal with the anxiety, anger, and hope that the children experience, feel the struggle a foster parent must go through to provide a stable environment, or decide as a birth parent whether you will do whatever it takes to get your children back.

This simulation is dynamic and moving. It will increase your understanding of the foster care system and grow your heart of compassion. Whether you are currently involved in foster care or want to walk alongside those who are, this experience is for you!  Observers are welcome.

Participants must be age 18 or older.

For more information about the Life In Limbo experience, 

visit the Foster Great Ideas web site or email vcministry127@gmail.com

**DCFS Training Credit Hours Offered**

 

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

Parenting in Space Conference!

Chicago Area Families for Adoption is a proud sponsor of the

2017 Parenting in SPACE conference! 

April 28th - 30th, 2017

Hamburger University, Oak Brook, IL

Parenting in SPACE is a conference, some would call an experience, that offers hope to the moms, dads, and caregivers of children and youth who have experienced trauma in early childhood by providing them with the opportunity to connect, learn, and laugh.

Many of the parents and caregivers who attend Parenting in SPACE had  children who joined their families through adoption. Some by birth. Most of their children have very challenging behaviors and great challenges managing their emotions.  

Parenting in SPACE provides parents and caregivers many opportunities to learn the theory, and especially the practice, of therapeutic parenting through SPACE, a parenting model that uses the power of human connection to help children achieve greater self-regulation, stronger relationships and deeper self-worth.

Parenting in SPACE offers workshops, support groups, face-to-face time with mental health professionals, and a community of other parents and caregivers - all of whom truly understand the experience of parenting children who have experienced trauma and attachment, and who have behavioral and emotional challenges . 

Registration ends this Sunday so don't delay in checking out this great event!

Click here for conference details and to register

Understanding the Birthmother Workshop

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry Presents

A workshop…

“Understanding the Birthmother”

Join us for a unique opportunity to hear from Jan Collins, a mother who made an adoption plan for her infant son 23 years ago. Jan will share her story and help us understand the perspective of the birthmother or any parent who relinquishes their child to another family. 

Wednesday, April 19^th, 2017, 7:30-8:45pm

Willow Creek Community Church,

Room B206 (near the chapel)

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Jan Collins is the founder of The Birthmother Wellness Institute. She is a well-seasoned speaker, a birthmother wellness consultant for mental health professionals and faith communities and a voice for birthmothers across the country.

DCFS Training Credits are available for this workshop.

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 

Attachement, Behavior, and What to Do About It

 

Working with Control Sensitive Youth- Reviewing with Focus 

Thursday, April 20th

6:30 – 8:30 pm 

Allendale Campus at Bradley Counseling Center,

Proops Professional Development Center, 420 Grand Ave, Lake Villa.

Daniel Goldberg, Psy.D. and Andie Becker, M.A., Allendale Association Residential Therapists and Trainers, will present a focused review of how the attachment style of the children in our care relates to their behaviors, particularly around issues of control and decision-making. Gain understanding of the youth’s behaviors, what motivates the connection to peers and adults, and how to aid in changing behaviors.

 

Register for the in-services by calling Tammy Goodwin or Keri Beyer 847.356.3322

or by emailing both tgoodwin@allendale4kids.org and kbeyer@allendale4kids.org

 

Foster Parent Networking and Dinner 6:00 p.m.

Foster parents are invited to connect, share ideas, and support each other over dinner before

every training program in the Proops Development Center. Dinner is provided for all who RSVP

at least 48 hours before the in-service. Dinner is served in the Proops Development Center 30

minutes prior to the start of the in-service. 

 

Child care is offered to foster homes licensed with Allendale Association who provide at least

48 hours notice.