Proverbs 31: 8-9

"Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

Empowering, Connecting & Correcting DVD

The Institute of Child Development at TCU has created a nearly two-hour presentation available on DVD in which Dr. Karyn Purvis explains her research-based approach with children who come from what she calls “hard places.” This DVD offers a very helpful overview of the three principles that serve as the foundation of Dr. Purvis’ approach to help parents better understand how to connect with their children in order to help them heal and reach their highest potential.

In this presentation, Dr. Purvis explains how harm during the critical stages of brain growth can cause significant disruptions in a child’s development and behaviors, and offers strategies to overcome these challenges. This insightful and educational presentation is designed for parents, ministry leaders and adoption and foster care professionals alike.

You can order the DVD online from the Institute of Child Development for a price of $30 (plus shipping). To view a preview of the DVD, click here. http://www.child.tcu.edu/ECC.asp

Wendy's Wonderful Kids Reaches 2,000 Adoptions

Wendy's Wonderful Kids, a signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, has reached a milestone of 2,000 adoptions.

The WWK program awards grants to public and private adoption agencies to hire adoption professionals who execute aggressive, child-focused recruitment programs targeted exclusively on moving children from foster care into adoptive homes.

With its focus on the longest-waiting children in foster care, children who have been waiting for several years or more are being adopted. The Florida foster care system's longest-waiting child -- in foster care for more than 10 years -- recently had his adoption finalized because of the advocacy of WWK recruiters.

"Wendy's Wonderful Kids is a proven program that demands results, accountability and quality service on behalf of the children who need us most," said Foundation president and CEO, Rita Soronen.

There is still a long way to go to help all of the children in foster care. But with the proven focus of Wendy's Wonderful Kids and the passion of WWK recruiters, we are certain we can make a difference -- one child at a time.

Please help Shea Come Home

Meet Shea. He is a handsome 4 year old boy living in Eastern Europe, and waiting for the Kulp family, to bring him home. But Shea and his family urgently needs your prayers.

In many Eastern European orphanages, when a child with special needs turns 4 years old, they are permanently transferred to an adult mental institution to live for the rest of their lives. They most often do not receive treatment or care for their special need, but languish in the institution without ever realizing their God-given potential.

This week, the Kulps were told that Shea is scheduled to be transferred to the mental institution "in the next few weeks". Traditionally, this would exclude him from being adoptable. Please pray that God would make a way where there is no way. Pray that the orphanage director, the mental institution director, and all those making decisions would make decisions that would allow Shae to come home to his family.

If all goes well, the Kulps will make their first of two trips in April or May to travel to Shea to continue the adoption process . They are trusting God for the finances to do so. If you would like to donate to the Kulp's adoption fund, or follow their journey, please visit one of the links below.


http://www.thekulpchronicles.blogspot.com/

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=kulp

Alliance Webinar Series: Becoming an Orphan Advocate in Your Church

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

You're Invited...


Speak UP! Becoming an Orphan Advocate in Your Church

Ideas and tips for engaging your church leadership and your church body in orphan care. Learn how to SpeakUP and get your church to listen.

Host Church: Oak Ridge United Methodist Church

Presenters: Patricia Merrit, Oak Ridge United Methodist Church & Casey Scheberl, Vision Trust
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Time: 1:00 PM Central Time

To register click here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/728417272


Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

Willow Creek McHenry Launches Safe Families Ministry

Willow Creek Community Church McHenry Campus would like to invite you to the "Official Launch" of our Safe Families Support Group-McHenry County (SFSG-MC).

As Safe Families continues to grow and network with agencies and volunteers out here in McHenry County, we want to provide a way for Safe Families volunteers (and prospective volunteers) to get together and really connect along this journey to serve. We would love it if you would attend our first meeting and be a part of our official launch, and hope that you are able to connect with us monthly thereafter. The vision for our network will be to provide assistance with understanding and engaging in our role as volunteers, as well as helping with clothing, supplies, babysitting, respite care, emotional support, and all other aspects of being a Safe Family.

Even if you are not able to host children in your home right now, we would love you to get involved in the support of the Safe Families Program! And with Willow Creek McHenry County launching their own Safe Families Ministry, we look forward to meeting NEW families who are interested in serving in Safe Families and will be joining us for the first time!

When: Thursday, February 17th, 6:30pm-8pm
Where: Willow Creek McHenry County
220 Exchange Drive
Crystal Lake, IL

My Contact Info: Shelly Forte- shellyforte@aol.com, 847-530-2778 (cell)

Children are welcome to attend (of course!)

**Please let me know ASAP:
1- If you will be able to attend, and if so, how many adults/children.
2- If you can't attend, would you like to be on our mailing list for future events?
3- If you know of anyone else who would be interested in attending.

I look forward to meeting all of you!

Blessings,
Shelly Forte

Safe Families Monthly Mom's Coffee

Wednesday February 9th

9:30-11:30 a.m.

At Sheila Applegate’s Home
1315 W. Kenilworth Palatine Il
(just east of Roselle Rd and south or Palatine Rd)
847-323-0150

Children are welcome.

This Month our topic is:

When DCFS is involved with your Placement. Susan Vrenios will discuss Safe Families’ roles when DCFS is the lead player in your placement.

Please RSVP to Sheila at sheila@applegates.com

Remember our new monthly coffee schedule:
January, March, May, July, September, and November second Tuesday
February, April, June, August, October, and December second Wednesday

Post adoption workshops for children and parents

What Is W.I.S.E. Up?
Most adopted children are frequently asked questions about being adopted, yet few are equipped to respond. WISE Up! is a unique and interactive workshop that provides a simple but powerful way for adopted children (and families) to handle comments and personal questions about their adoption journey. It also teaches children that they have the power to decide if and when they want to share their story. A parent workshop that teaches adults how to practice this program at home will run concurrently with the children’s workshop. WISE Up was developed by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.).

Who Should Attend This Workshop?
This workshop offers practical tools for both adoptive parents and adopted children (both internationally and domestically) to guide them in making choices on how to respond to uncomfortable or personal questions about their adoption. Workshops for children will be divided based on grade: 1st-3rd and 4th-6th.Space in each Workshop is limited to 10 children and 20 adults, so we recommend early registration.

Upcoming W.I.S.E. Up Workshops: Registration Now Open!

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 10:00am - 12 Noon
Morning session: Children Grades 4-6 (Ages 9, 10 & 11)
Sunny Ridge Family Center
270 Remington Blvd, Suite C
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon session: Children Grades 1-3 (Ages 6, 7 & 8)
Sunny Ridge Family Center
270 Remington Blvd, Suite C
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Saturday, March 12, 2011 10:00am - 12 Noon
Morning session: Children Grades 1-3 (Ages 6, 7 & 8)
Francis Parker School
330 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

Saturday, March 12, 2011 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon session: Children Grades 4-6 (Ages 9, 10 & 11)
Francis Parker School
330 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

Location (unless stated differently above):
Sunny Ridge Family Center, Bolingbrook Office Training Room
270 Remington Boulevard, Suite C, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (Map & Directions)
(Use side door entrance; Workshop starts promptly at 10:00am)

Cost:
Registration fee: $100 per family, or $75 for Adults attending without children (includes Workshop and Powerbook Workbook to take home)

How to register:
Registration takes place by telephone and continues until Workshop is full. Call Liz Korose at (630) 754-4528 to register. Sunny Ridge reserves the right to cancel Workshop dates due to low attendance.

Payment for the workshop is accepted by major credit card at the time of your phone registration, or by mail to Sunny Ridge within five business days of your registration.

"Adopted for Life" free download

Thanks to Crossway Books and ChristianAudio, the book Adopted for Life is available for free download during the month of February.


Author Dr. Russell Moore will be a keynote speaker for Summit VII, and this is a great opportunity to explore his masterful book at no cost.


Although carrying much practical advice, this audiobook extends far beyond the nuts-and-blots of adoption. It explores the Biblical fountainhead of Christian adoption and orphan care: the Gospel of God's adoption of us.


Review by Jedd Medefind in Christianity Today's "My Top 5 Books on Orphan Care.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/july/12.52.html

Video interview of Dr. Moore by blogger Justin Taylor.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2009/06/15/adopted-for-life-video-chat-with/?utm_source=christianaudio&utm_campaign=a45a6017a2-Free_Feb_2011&utm_medium=email

Click here for your free download. http://christianaudio.com/free?utm_source=christianaudio&utm_campaign=a45a6017a2-Free_Feb_2011&utm_medium=email

Monthly Pot-luck Gathering

The Vulnerable Children Ministry at Willow Creek Community Church
invites you......

Sunday, February 20th from
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Willow Creek Community Church, So. Barrington

Our room has been changed this month to rooms b204-207 (down the hall from the Chapel.)
Pot-luck dinner begins at 5:00. Please bring a dish to share. Drinks will be provided.

Our speaker this month is Bart Francour and Terri Hooker from Royal Family Kids Camp (RFKC). Come to hear how RFKC is making a difference in the lives of foster kids, who have suffered neglect and abuse, through a summer camp held annually in Lake Geneva.

New this month! If you are currently considering adoption or in the process of adopting, we are forming a new group that will meet for the first time on the 20th. Come and connect, find encouragement and answers with others who are either considering or in the process of adopting.

Child care is available if you r.s.v.p. with the number of children and their ages to avoiceforhischildren@gmail.com.

See you there!