Thursday, September 3, 2015

Spiritual Battles on the Homefront

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry
at Willow Creek

Invites you to join us this month for our workshop:

Spiritual Battles on the Homefront

Learn how the prayers for yourself, family and children in your home

can transform and redirect lives.

Guest speaker and Section Leader, Lori Mazzenga, shares her personal story of abandonment, adoption and the blessings of a birth family reunification.

Through her journey, Lori has experienced the healing power of prayer and learned to recognize and overcome the negative emotions and struggles that come from sources other than the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

7:30 PM – 8:45 PM

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Room TBD

***Registration for this event is not required.

***Questions? E-mail vcministry127@gmail.com.

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

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

5 Tips for Supporting Families Going Back to School

www.project127.com

Back To School

The start of school can be a major transition for foster and adoptive families. After a long summer of activities, afternoons at the pool, and plenty of time to build parent-child relationships, getting back into a routine with school can often be a demanding transition.

Thankfully, there are tangible opportunities for you to support foster and adoptive families this school year. Pick one (or more) ways to support a foster or adoptive family, and commit to it throughout the entire school year.

5 Tips for Supporting Families
Going Back to School

This year, offer to take the kids to school just one day of the week or cover the carpool for an extracurricular activity. It's only one day to you, but a huge difference to a family.
Support back-to-school night activities by providing a quick meal, child care, or organizing a school dates calendar.
What's the child's favorite character? Consider giving a folder, pencils, band-aids or a lunch bag featuring their favorite character.
Volunteer as the "labeler" or book covering specialist!
Offer regular time as a homework helper or tutor
- Listen to a child read-aloud
- Practice multiplication, geography facts or tying shoelaces
- Be the book report Coordinator
Learn More Ways to Support A Family in "The Guide"

UPCOMING EVENTS AT WILLOW CREEK

Select Thursdays & Saturdays, May 10-June 7, 2018, 7pm - 9pm DCFS PRIDE training. This is a required training to become licensed as foster parents in the state of IL. Please note, you must be referred by a foster care agency to participate in the class. For more information contact fostercare@willowcreek.org.

Saturday, June 9, 2018, 4pm - 8pm Adoption Community Picnic. Butterfield Park, Elmhurst. Join us for an evening of connection with other adoptive families! A photographer will be taking free family photos. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. RSVP at adoption@willowcreek.org .

Thursdays, July 19-Oct 25, 2018 DCFS PRIDE training. This is a required training to become licensed as foster parents in the state of IL. Please note, you must be referred by a foster care agency to participate in the class. For more information contact fostercare@willowcreek.org.

Saturday, September 15, 2018, 8:30am-5:00pm DCFS Educational Advocacy training. Please note, you must be referred by a foster care agency to participate in the class. For more information contact fostercare@willowcreek.org.

ON-GOING GROUPS

Waiting Families Group: Families in the process of adopting meet every 3rd Sunday of the month after the 11:15 service (about 12:30) in the Link, (the breezeway connecting the atrium to the Care Center) for connection, support, & encouragement. For more information contact Angela Osgood at 773-430-5304.

First Mom Group: Women who have placed a child for adoption are invited to meet together for community, encouragement, support, & healing. no matter where you are on your journey. The group meets on Wednesday nights from 7:30-8:45. For more information contact Jan Collins (a fellow birthmother) at 773-983-3773.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Adoption Church Co-Coordinator: Help coordinate the adoption activities associated with the Adoption Ministry at Willow Creek/So. Barrington campus. Interview process required. Call Dina 708-363-2599.

Foster Care Church Coordinator: Coordinate the foster care activities associated with the Foster Care Ministry at Willow Creek/So. Barrington campus. . Interview process required. See Dina 708-363-2599.

Family Friend (Safe Families): Provide parent or child mentoring, babysitting, transportation, or other supportive services to families. Background check required.

Resource Friend (Safe Families): Provide assistance to host families by offering good & services or professional skills to serve children who are placed in Safe Families.

Prayer Team: Provide ongoing prayer support for family and ministry needs.