Showing posts with label vulnerable children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vulnerable children. Show all posts

Sunday, July 16, 2017

State Trends in Child Well-Being


 
The 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book urges policymakers not to back away from targeted investments that help U.S. children become healthier, more likely to complete high school and better positioned to contribute to the nation’s economy as adults. The Data Book also shows the child poverty rate in 2015 continued to drop, landing at 21%. In addition, children experienced gains in reading proficiency and a significant increase in the number of kids with health insurance. However, the data indicate that unacceptable levels of children living in poverty and in high-poverty neighborhoods persist.  Get all the state-by-state data HERE.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Safe Familes Sunday

 
Safe Families invites you to join us for Safe Families Sunday at your local church, as we connect children of parents in distress with host families who are committed to sharing the love of Christ by opening their home. By providing this extended family environment to those most vulnerable, you can help keep a child safe and reunite a family in Christ’s name.
Safe Families Sunday
February 12th, 2017
 
We are encouraging churches to participate by showing a brief video, making an announcement, incorporating it into a sermon,  hosting a reception, or create your own way to be involved.
 
If you have questions or need additional resources such as scripts, videos, sermons, etc. contact danderson@lydiahome.org.  

Sunday, October 30, 2016

The Most Anticipated Event of the Year!

In honor of Orphan Sunday, bring your kids to this family friendly event, and  help with hands-on projects that will serve vulnerable children in our community!



 

Pizza! Movie! Princesses! Superheroes!
Prizes! Photo Ops!
FREE admission when you RSVP Here.

Section Communities and Willow Creek's Vulnerable Children's Ministry, Safe Families for Children, Trafficking Ministry, Refugee Ministry, Kids Hope, Royal Family Kids Camp, & Angel Tree join together for the first time to bring you the most anticipated event of the year!

We are bringing a message of hope to the true superheros in the world today, orphans & vulnerable children!!!!

  Saturday, November 5th at 3PM

Willow Creek Community Church, So. Barrington, IL

Participate in hands-on projects that will serve orphans and children at risk! Kids are invited to walk through Activity Stations to help us complete the projects with help from their favorite Super Heroes and Princesses.



We will provide the supplies, pizza dinner with Movie Feature: Tangled, entertainment, drawings, prizes, and interactive live Storytime Show! Our favorite characters will help kids understand how much courage it takes to follow their dreams and be heroes! The Storytime interactive show starts directly after Willow's 5:30PM Love Everyone, Always message. 

It's all FREE, but you must RSVP! For a complete schedule of activities, click here!

Please share this email, or invite friends on Facebook

See you there!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Upcoming Safe Families Volunteer Trainings!

Have you been considering becoming a Safe Families Host or a Family Friend?  We have 1-day training sessions near you where you can make that happen!


Offered as an alternative to online training, this event is designed to equip you to welcome a child into your home (Host Family) or support a host or placing parent (Family Friend) and move you through the training process efficiently. The live Comprehensive Training Session includes everything you need to become a certified Safe Family Volunteer—all in one place. 
  • Start or submit your application
  • Get fingerprints taken for the background check
  • Complete your training hours
  • Meet like-minded families who will support you

The training will be in two parts.  The first two hours will be for all volunteers.  The second two hours will be for Host Families.  So, anyone interested in being a Family Friend only needs to stay for the first two hours.  Host Families need to stay for the whole training.

Doors open at 8:30 AM for those who need to start an application, schedule a home study, start a background check, or ask one-on-one questions.  The training session begins at 9:00 AM sharp.  



Saturday, July 16, 2016  Willow Creek/North Shore Campus, Northfield, IL 
8:30 - 1:00


Saturday, September 24, 2016 Village Church of Bartlett, Bartlett, IL
8:30 - 1:00


Saturday, October 8, 2016  The Moody Church, Chicago, IL
8:30 - 1:00

Saturday, October 22, 2016  Willow Creek Comm Church, So. Barrington, IL
8:30 - 1:00


Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Casey Supports National Campaign to Stop Solitary for Kids

Photo credit: Richard Ross 





 

Thousands of young people are held in solitary confinement each year across the country, yet research shows that this style of punishment is linked to lasting psychological consequences for kids without making facilities safer.
This is why the Casey Foundation is supporting the Stop Solitary for Kids campaign to end solitary confinement of youth in juvenile and adult facilities in the United States.

Read more on the Stop Solitary for Kids campaign


View Casey’s free resources on reducing solitary confinement

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, April 11, 2016

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month



Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed each April since its first presidential proclamation in 1983. The month is a time to recognize the importance of individuals, businesses and communities working together to help prevent child abuse and promote the healing of abused children and their families.

During the month of April, The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) plans to bring awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month through community events. We hope you will join them!


  • Youth Art Show – April 11th
    Young artists are encouraged to submit their artwork with a “safety” theme for this art contest. Click here to learn more.
  • CAC Pinwheel Planting – April 15th
    Come to the CAC main office in Hoffman Estates between 8:00am and 10:00am to plant a pinwheel in the Garden of Support.  Click here to RSVP!
  • Hope, Heal, Grow Gala – April 30th
    CAC will host the Hope, Heal, Grow Gala at Medinah Country Club. Buy your ticket now!
  • Body Safety Workshop - April 30th
    During this FREE workshop, licensed therapists will talk to both parents and children about body safety. To register, click here!
  • Pinwheels for Prevention – Campaign running all April
    The Women’s Hearts for Healing Group is proud to announce its Pinwheel for Prevention campaign. Originally started by Prevent Child Abuse America, pinwheel gardens are an impactful way to help raise awareness about child abuse and are an established symbol for child abuse prevention. Pinwheels represent the precious, carefree, and fun childhood which every child is entitled to. Women’s Hearts for Healing invite you to plant a pinwheel garden at your home or business.  Click here to purchase your pinwheel garden today!




Thursday, April 7, 2016

Safe Families Volunteer Training!



Safe Families for Children and Willow Creek South Barrington Present:
The Greater Chicago Volunteer Training Day
Saturday, May 14th, 2016

Prospective Safe Families, you're invited to a live, accelerated Comprehensive Training Session. 

Offered as an alternative to online training, this event is designed to equip you to welcome a child into your home (Host Family) or support a host or placing parent (Family Friend) and move you through the training process efficiently. The live Comprehensive Training Session includes everything you need to become a certified Safe Family Volunteer—all in one place. 
  • Start or submit your application
  • Get fingerprints taken for the background check
  • Complete your training hours
  • Meet like-minded families who will support you
 
 
The training will be in two parts.  The first two hours will be for all volunteers. The second two hours will be for Host Families.  So, anyone interested in being a Family Friend only needs to stay for the first two hours.  Host Families need to stay for the whole training.
 
Doors open at 8:30 AM for those who need to start an application, schedule a home study, start a background check, or ask one-on-one questions.  The training session begins at 9:00 AM sharp.  The training will be held in Room B206.  Please enter the B building where the Chapel is located.

A light breakfast and lunch is included. 

Free Parking is available.  

Reserve your spot today! We look forward to seeing you on May 14th to equip and encourage you in your journey.

If you have further questions please contact Sarah Mohr, 773-653-2222, or smohr@safefamilies.net

Have questions about Safe Families Volunteer Training - Willow Creek South Barrington? Contact Safe Families for Children

Friday, January 29, 2016

Compassion International's "Act for Compassion" Conference!


Act for Compassion ConferenceAct for Compassion Conference

Friday, April 15, 2016 - Saturday, April 16, 2016
5:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Community Christian Church --Naperville Yellow Box
1635 Emerson Lane
Naperville, Illinois 60540


Everyone can act for Compassion to help release children from poverty in Jesus' name.
(All are welcome and invited-- Compassion supporters, advocates, people unfamiliar with Compassion, families, children and youth, churches, leaders, your friends and family, etc.)

Summary


This conference will inspire you to Act for Compassion so we can change the story for children living in extreme poverty. The conference will include:
  • Participating in a Walk With Compassion. As a conference registrant, you will receive email updates about how to engage in the fundraiser prior to the conference and the actual Walk that is scheduled for the morning of April 16.
  • Dove Award nominee Shaun Groves will be sharing with us through songs and words throughout the entire conference.
  • Compassion alumnus Ben Mwangi from Kenya will inspire us with his story and the impact Compassion and his sponsor have had on his life.
  • Be inspired by the documentary film premiere, "Central Help," produced by Emmy-nominated director Jon Ross who asks the question, "How different would this world be if poverty didn't exist?"
  • Hear what others are doing to Act for Compassion -- some teens who planted a church and a retired man from Wisconsin who raised funds to rebuild classrooms in El Salvador.
  • Author Lorie Lee will be leading day-long interactive activities for children and youth as they experience what it means to be "Global in your Local." 
  • There will be a session on utilizing the Act for Compassion platform, plus topical workshops and Q & A sessions, plus much more.
  • The Compassion Store will be open and you can peruse the various resource booths.
  • Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided as part of your registration fee.


Thursday, January 21, 2016

Bring Valentine Love to Vulnerable Children



Valentines Day Packing Party!
 
Help us bring cheer to vulnerable children this Valentine’s Day.
 
 
 
Come help us put together “goodie” bags with Valentine’s Day
cards, stuffed animals, candy and other items to bring to children in
various hospitals, children's’ homes and programs for individuals
with disabilities.


Sunday, February 7th after the 11:15 service
At Willow Creek Community Church, So. Barrington - Room B206
 
 
Please contact Kelly Cox at 630-674-2710 if you'd like to participate or donate.
 

Project Home Children's Foundation: Supporting adoptions, orphanages, education and programs for underprivileged children, including those with special needs.  www.projecthomecf.org

 

Monday, January 11, 2016

Family Teachers Needed at Mooseheart



Join Mooseheart Child City and School in its mission to care for at-risk children and teens. Mooseheart, located 40 miles west of Chicago, is searching for couples or individuals who strongly believe that every child deserves a healthy, happy, nurturing environment in which to grow, and who are willing to dedicate their careers to enriching the lives of children and teens.
 
Mooseheart Family Teachers provide safe and caring home environments for children ranging in age from newborns to high school seniors. Family Teachers are responsible for teaching social and independent living skills, as well as providing educational assistance, self-esteem building, and spiritual and moral guidance.

            
             Mooseheart offers Family Teachers:
• Eligibility for full health and low-cost dental benefits beginning the first of the month following employment
• Business vehicle available (when responsible for live-in youth)
• Free room and board (equivalent to a savings of more than $750 per month)
• Low cost employee medical health (BCBS-PPO or HMO) and dental insurance
• Self-directed 401(k) - company makes annual contributions regardless of employee's contributions
• Paid vacations, personal time off, and holidays
• Two days off each week, with 1 bonus day added each month.
            Requirements:
• Minimum 21 years of age
• Possess valid driver's license and a good driving record
• High School diploma required (College degree preferred), experience is a plus - but not necessary
• Ability to work within a team approach and possess conflict-management skills
• Must have the ability to live and work within our campus environment, and have a personality that is nurturing, energetic, patient, and persistent. Must have the ability to work under challenging conditions, and possess strong oral, written, organization, and time-management skills.

    For more information or to apply, click HERE.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Help Holt International at Winter Jam 2016 in Chicago!



 

Winter Jam 2016

You are a POWERFUL advocate for Holt and the children we serve just by taking a moment to share this opportunity with others! One night of your time can help transform the world for orphaned and vulnerable children. When you volunteer with Holt at Winter Jam to help sign up new child sponsors, the work is easy and fun, but the impact is so great. Sponsorship is truly transformative for children and families in crisis - and Winter Jam is one of our greatest opportunities to find new sponsors.
 
What can you do to help?:
Volunteer!
Forward this e-mail to anyone you think might be interested!   
Print out a flyer to share locally!  
 
As a Volunteer for Holt International at Winter Jam Concerts 2016 you will:
  • Help sign up new sponsors for vulnerable children and promote adoption
  • Commit one evening of your time - Holt provides free entry to the show
  • Bring your family and friends - spread the word at  your church or organization 

To learn more about Holt child sponsorship, watch this video, click here.
To learn more about volunteering, click here.


If you have questions, please contact:
Alycia Fahr-Zarlons
Volunteer Coordinator
alyciaf@holtinternational.org
Direct: 541-505-5513
Mobile: 501-414-1617

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Changes in the Child Poverty Rate






 









Data from the 2014 American Community Survey, released Sept. 17, suggests that the national child poverty rate remained stagnant from 2013 to 2014 – a sign that the country’s economic recovery is still leaving the lowest-income families behind. 

See which states saw increases in child poverty rates

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

A Fun Way to Support Adoption & Vulnerable Children




Get ready for a 5K or 1 Mile Family Fun Run supporting Project Home Children's Foundation, a non-profit striving to support vulnerable children, including those with special needs, by providing adoption grants, supporting orphanages, educational programs and various activities.

Sunday September 20, 2015 at Darien Community Park (71st Street and Clarendon Hills Rd.) Register by August 31st , receive a free t-shirt

Schedule:

7:00-8:00 Registration AND Packet Pickup (at the North Pavilion off of 71st Street)

8:15 - Warm-ups provided by Right Fit

8:30 AM for 5K participants

8:40 for 1-mile participants

Awards immediately following

Prices:
  • 1-Mile Run – $20 per entrant in advance ($25 on race day)
    • $10 for participants under 18 years old ($15 on race day)
  • 5K Run – $30 per entrant in advance ($35 on race day)
  • $15 for participants under 18 years old ($20 on race day)   

                               Children under 4 years old are free     
     
           
 WALKERS, RUNNERS, STROLLERS & WHEELCHAIRS WELCOME! 

 FREE Parking will be available at the Indian Prairie Public Library located on the corner of Clarendon Hills Road and Plainfield Road across from Darien Community Park. No parking will be available along 71st and Clarendon Hills Road or in the North Lot of Darien Community Park.

Additional Location Information Race Day Headquarters: Darien Community Park is located at 7100 Plainfield Road in Darien. The race and registration take place on the North end of the park at 71st Street and Clarendon Hills Road. Race day registration begins 7am.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Connecting Healthy Timing & Spacing of Pregnancies & Orphans in the Devoloping Countries


Natioal Adoption Day
(Photo: Reuters/Tim Shaffer)
 
 
CP Guest Contributors
Christian Post
June 11, 2015


Those of us who care deeply about human needs often speak as if the one issue we're most passionate about stands alone: hunger, AIDS, poverty, governance, trafficking. We have fallen into that trap at times, too. But here's a vital truth we can't ignore: just beneath the surface, pressing human needs are intertwined. So any aid or development effort that fails to reflect this truth will most always fall flat.

Let's make this personal. Jedd Medefind leads the Christian Alliance for Orphans, working to see orphaned and vulnerable children well cared for around the globe, and Jenny Dyer directs the Faith-Based Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children Worldwide and Senator Bill Frist, MD's Hope Through Healing Hands, which seeks to empower women in the developing world to better time and space their pregnancies.

Many would see these as widely differing undertakings. That couldn't be further from the truth.
Let's start with this question: "What causes a child to end up an orphan in the first place?" Of course, there are myriad roots to what UNICEF has called the "global orphan crisis" – from disease and disaster, to abuse by parents, to adults feeling forced by poverty to abandon their children. These vexing problems defy simple solutions, so caring for orphaned children will likely remain an immense need for decades to come.

But it is also clear that if these causal factors can be reduced, the number of future orphans can be significantly decreased. Consider the fact that pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls age 15-19 worldwide. Yet even small cultural shifts can alter this reality.

For example, the average age of marriage in Ethiopia is 16. Becoming pregnant between ages 15-19 creates twice the risk of death to a mother as becoming pregnant between 20-24. Likewise, if a mother becomes pregnant within two years of her previous delivery, she is more likely to die or have a miscarriage. Simply delaying pregnancy until age 20, and spacing pregnancies to two or more years apart, can greatly decrease maternal deaths.


Read more  HERE  

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Children in Foster Care & Antipsychotic Drugs

Feds Pay for Drug Fraud: 92 Percent of Foster Care, Poor Kids Prescribed Antipsychotics Get Them for Unaccepted Uses

Posted: Updated:
2015-04-28-1430211795-1606534-SanJoseMercuryNewsDruggingSeries.jpglarge
Photo credit: Dai Sugano/The San Jose Mercury News/Bay Area News Group


The release in late March of an alarming new report by federal investigators has confirmed in shocking new detail what has been known for years: Poor and foster care kids covered by Medicaid are being prescribed too many dangerous antipsychotic drugs at young ages for far too long -- mostly without any medical justification at all. The report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General examined in depth nearly 700 claims filed in 2011 in five of the biggest prescribing states -- California, Florida, Illinois, Texas and New York -- and discovered that two thirds of all the prescribing with these popular and costly "second generation antipsychotics" (SGAs) raised high-risk "quality of care" concerns.
The new report noted several disturbing examples, just a few months after an overmedicated teen in foster care, Steven Unangst, died in Antioch, California. The report cited a 10-old-year with ADHD given an antipsychotic -- without any medical documentation -- mixed in with other psych drugs; a 4-year-old on four psychotropic drugs, including two antipsychotics; and a 16-year-old with bipolar disorder on six psychiatric medications, including variously three antipsychotics. Among the side effects of this polypharmacy assault: "This child experienced paranoia, hostility, unstable mood, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts. This child also experienced significant side effects potentially resulting from the prescribed drugs, including a 22-pound weight gain, insomnia, and edema (swelling) of hands and feet."

Read the full story HERE.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Safe Families Volunteer Training




 
Safe Families Training
8:30am-1:00pm Host Families
8:30am-10:30am Family Friends

Saturday, May 30:
TWO LOCATIONS:


Alpine Chapel
23153 W Miller Rd,
Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Lydia Home
4300 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60641



Saturday, July 18:
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E Algonquin Rd.
South Barrington, IL 60010
                                                  

When under-resourced families face personal or financial crises, the children are affected. Today, an alarming number of parents are socially isolated and lack family support, often compounding problems, feelings of desperation, and likelihood of child neglect or abuse and the subsequent need for foster care placement.

Safe Families for Children (SFFC) is dedicated to family support, stabilization, and most importantly, prevention of child abuse. Parents voluntarily place their children in safe, loving homes while other volunteers support the parents.

If you are interested in becoming a Safe Families volunteer, please register for one of the training sessions listed above. You may also register if you are a current volunteer who would like to update your training.

Contact Teri Altpeter at terialtpeter@att.net with any questions.
For more information on Safe Families for Children, visit: safe-families.org