Important Announcement!

Retiring and new members of the AFS Leadership Team: Rich Denman, Abby Deatherage, Joyce Moffitt, Sarah McHugh, Teri Altpeter, Sara Brunsting, Dina Ackermann, Anne Contant

It was in June, 2008 when I felt the call of God to start a ministry for adoption, foster care & Safe Families (AFS) at Willow Creek.   My area pastor put out an email inviting interested people to come to a meeting at my house. I didn’t know what to expect, but 10 very fired-up people showed up and we began brainstorming about how we could support the adoption, foster care, and Safe Families communities.  Next month it will be 10 years since that first meeting, and what an adventure it has been!

Last fall I sensed that God was leading this ministry into a new era, and early this year I made the decision to step down from the ministry at the end of May.  At the same time, God had been speaking to the hearts of some of the others on our leadership team, and several of them believed that God was prompting them to step aside as well. We all believe that God is on the move and is planning to take this ministry to the next level! We have spent the last few months as a team, planning and transitioning new leaders to carry on this much needed ministry.  Your prayers are appreciated as we are still looking for someone that can lead the foster care team, and others to join the adoption and Safe Families teams. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Abby Deatherage at afs@willowcreek.org.

It has been a joy to walk together with so many of you on your adoption, foster care, and/or Safe Families journeys and to build this ministry at Willow Creek.  It has also been an honor to have been able to lead the most amazing leadership team I’ve ever been a part of. Their commitment to serving children, families, and to this ministry has truly been a gift from God.  I have also had the privilege of partnering with so many of you from organizations that serve the adoption, foster care and Safe Families communities.  I have learned so much from you and am continually inspired by the passionate work that you do.

I may have the opportunity to contribute to this blog from time to time, but for the most part, it will be updated by folks from the Adoption, Foster Care and Safe Families teams.





Thank you for trusting me and this ministry for the past decade. I’m excited to see what God will do next! I wish you all of God’s blessings as you continue your journey.

Dina Ackermann

Adoption Community Picnic!

Adoption Community Picnic 

Join us for an evening of fun and food with other adoptive families!

A photographer will be taking free family photos.

Saturday, June 9th from 4 to 8p.m.

Butterfield Park

375 W. First Street

Elmhurst, IL 60126

 

A main entree and water will be provided.
Please bring a side dish or dessert (with serving utensils), chairs, and any lawn games.

Please R.S.V.P. to adoption@willowcreek.org and
let us know the number of adults and children (with their ages) you will be bringing.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hosted by the Adoption Ministry at Willow Creek Community Church

Adoption Education Opportunities!

Upcoming Family Education Opportunities: May 2018

Learn from the comfort of your home! Bethany offers a variety of national family training opportunities to help you learn and succeed as parents. Opportunities include valuable conference alls and webinars, designed for families currently in the adoption process or post-adoption.

Here's a look at our upcoming training sessions. Be sure to register early for each event by using the "register now" link provided. Space is limited.

Behavioral Matching (Trust Based Parenting Conference Call Series) The Trust-Based Parenting Conference Call Series offers in-depth training for parents of children with early trauma. In this session, we will learn about Behavior Matching and Voice Quality. We will explore our own childhood experience of how adults engaged with us and how to use TBRI Engagement Strategies for Organized and Disorganized Attachments. You will have the option to join via phone or internet. 1 hour certificate. Thursday, May 10, 2018 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. EST Register Now Thursday, May 10, 2018 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. EST Reigster Now Depression After Adoption (Family Education Webinar Series) Participants will learn how a new adoptive parent can experience similar features of postpartum depression. This webinar will review symptoms, treatment, risk factors, and coping strategies. How an I, as a new parent, feel sad and hopeless, accomplishing our goal of adoption? You are not alone. 1.5 hours certificate. Thursday, May 17, 2018 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. EST Register Now

LOOKING AHEAD: June 2018 Upcoming Family Education Opportunities

Sharing Power  (Trust Based Parenting Conference Call Series)   The Trust-Based Parenting Conference Call Series offers in-depth training for parents of children with early trauma. This monthly call features some basic concepts of the TBRI model to practice each month and add techniques through the year. Be ready to learn and talk about TBRI techniques via phone or internet. 1 hour certificate. Thursday, June 14, 2018 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. EST Register Now Thursday, June 14, 2018 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. EST Register Now

Fall TBRI Workshops at Holt-Sunnyridge!

Fall TBRI® Workshops Grab your early bird prices before July 13th! Are you looking for parenting strategies to help you address your child’s trauma history? Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) is a family-based intervention that is designed for children who have experienced relationship-based traumas such as: institutionalization, multiple foster placements, maltreatment and neglect.  Learn More! September 8|Introduction & Overview October 13 |Connecting November 3 |Empowering December 1 |Correcting 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Parent workshops are led by Pam Shepard, LCSW, supervisor of clinical services at Holt-Sunny Ridge and Jessica Augsburger, LCSW, branch social worker at Holt-Sunny Ridge. Pam and Jessica are both TBRI® practitioners. Space is Limited, Register Today! Early bird registration through July 13, 2018:  $175 per person, all 4 workshops $250 per person, all 4 workshops with 20 CEU’s for LSW/LCSW Regular registration starting July 14, 2018: $250 per person, all 4 workshops $325 per person, all 4 workshops with 20 CEU’s for LSW/LCSW For questions or more information, please contact Pam Shepard at pams@holtsunnyridge.org.  Therapy Services at Holt-Sunny Ridge IL License #529708