ETC Workshop: Factors of Fear!

The Vulnerable Children's Ministry and
Bethany Christian Services

Presents

An Empowered to Connect Workshop!

Join us all year long for Empowered to Connect workshops, every 4th Wednesday of the month! 
 

These workshops are video-driven, and facilitated by Alison Lamsma, MA, LSW from Bethany Christian Services.

Factors of Fear: Tragically, children who have been harmed,neglected, and/or abused are at significantly increased risk for behavioral disorders, relationship failures, and early onset mental illness.  Developmental psychologist and former director of the TCU Institute of Child Development, Dr. Karyn Purvis, explains concepts to help caregivers and parents understand a child's brain chemistry and how neurotransmitter testing can be used to enhance therapeutic approaches.
 

Wednesday, July 27th
7:30pm - 8:45pm
Willow Creek Community Church, Room: Guest Central
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60010

***Training Credit Hours are offered for licensed foster parents.

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.

Webinar: Caring for Caregivers

Caring for Caregivers: A Critical Component of Improving Childhood Wellbeing

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 2:00- 3:00 pm (Eastern)

Register Now!

Research and common knowledge both suggest that the most influential relationship in a child's life is with his or her caregiver.  A strong caregiver relationship can limit the effects of trauma, increase a child's confidence and independence, and empower a child to explore life from a safe base.  Therefore, caring for caregivers- and coaching them to care for themselves- may be one of the most helpful roles we can play in caring for vulnerable children.  How do we encourage them in self- care?  How do we help them cope with secondary trauma?  How do we support them in the long-term? This presentation opens the conversation around nurturing and caring for caregivers domestically and around the world.  It. will center around practical tools for supporting caregivers to increase their health, and ultimately to optimize the wellbeing of the children they care for. This is the seventh module in the CAFO Knowledge + Practice webinar series,  which translates research into actionable information that OVC care practitioners can implement immediately to elevate the quality of the care they provide.

Presenter:  

Jayne is recognized internationally as a speaker, trainer, and author working with Back2Back Ministries in Ohio.  She is the primary author in their training curriculum, Trauma Competent Caregiving, a nine modules training series.  Jayne is author of 8 books, including her recent publications, "Wounded Children, Healing Homes," and "Parenting in Transracial Adoption."  Jayne and her husband David are parents both by birth and adoption and grandparents of 4. 

"8 DAYS" Trafficking Film at Willow Creek

You are invited to a showing of the film 

"8 Days" (rated PG-13)

Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

7:30 p.m.

Willow Creek Community Church 

(Room TBA, please check the monitors)

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

 

If you are a foster parent or if you have a teenager in your life, please come to see this amazing movie. Great discussions will follow.  Please share with your circle of friends. Human Trafficking is such an important topic and it exists in our own backyards. Become informed and take a stand!

WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN FOSTER CARE AND SEX TRAFFICKING?

Foster care children are targeted by traffickers because of their need for love, affirmation, and protection.

Victims are trained to call sex traffickers “daddies” andthemselves “wifies” – a perverted reflection of the family unit that these children are seeking.  These children long for a family…even if it means being subjected to extreme violence and abuse.

Selling America’s Foster Youth and Children

In 2012, studies estimate that between 50 and 80 percent of commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) in California are or were formally involved with the child welfare system.

58% of 72 sexually trafficked girls in Los Angeles County’s STARS Court in 2012 were foster care kids.

In Alameda County, 41% of 267 victims in 2011-2012 were foster care kids

HOW CAN FOSTER PARENTS PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

We can significantly reduce the volume of foster children falling into the hands of traffickers by giving them what they need and long for: healthy families who will parent and love them unconditionally. It’s the right thing to do for our children!

For more information visit CAS Research and Education.

Adoption Family Camp!

Adoption Family Camp

A Place Set Apart For Your Family!

Date: August 14th – August 18th, 2016

Location: Conference Point Center, Lake Geneva, WI

This is a unique opportunity for families to learn, share, gain support, and celebrate adoption with other families that are built like yours. Adoptive parents get a rare opportunity to take time out from the rush of everyday life to reflect thoughtfully with other parents who share your experiences.

Includes 5 Days and 4 Nights Lodging, 11 Meals, and Programming

$179 Adult age 13 and older

$100 (Children 5-12)

$25   (Children 0-4, includes 2 childcare sessions)

$699 Family Camp Max

Register Here

The Launch of Orphan Sunday 2016!

One Day. One Voice. One Purpose.

Orphan Sunday will be observed in more than 75 nations this year. How will you be part of the amazing way God is working through the local church to call us to adoption, foster care and orphan care?

2016 ORPHAN SUNDAY VIDEO Watch and Share this year's video, "The Potter's Hand." WATCH

NEW LOOK The Orphan Sunday website has a new look!  Check it out today. VISIT

WHAT'S NEW Watch and read testimonies from people just like you participating in Orphan Sunday.  STORIES

Casey Supports National Campaign to Stop Solitary for Kids

 

 

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

Saturday Parenting Workshops!

 

Krista Woods, M.S.W., LCSW is presenting a series of workshops for parents of children that have come to the family via adoption and/or foster care. All workshops will be held at The Chapel's Barrington Campus, 180 Hawthorne Road, Barrington, IL 60010 - View Map

 

• Sat July 16- Helping Adopted Kids with Transitions and Home and School
• Sat Aug 13 - Adoption through the Lifespan - Helping children as they grow
• Sat Sep 17 - The Four "T"s" of Trans-racial Adoption

For more information and to register, please go to this link: Register_and_Pay_Here

ETC Workshop: Healthy Touch!

The Vulnerable Children’s Ministry and
Bethany Christian Services presents

an Empowered to Connect Workshop!

Healthy Touch: Practical Ways to Add it To Your Life: 

Touch is essential to our very existence. Healthy Touch features Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, who will explore research about touch and provide practical applications for adding healthy touch into your child's daily life.

   

*This workshop consists of a video and discussion facilitated by Alison Lamsma MA, LSW, from Bethany Christian Services.

  Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016
7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL 60016 
 Room: B204 (on the chapel side of the campus)

***Registration for this event is not required.

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

Summer Gatherings for Adoptive & Foster Families!

Our vision is to see foster & adoptive families flourish by connecting them to each other, providing a time of rest and encouragement, and praying for one another. Don't miss these opportunities to connect with others who "get it" because they live it, just like you!
 

RSVP today for Saturday's gathering!

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Put these summer dates on your calendar!
Saturday, June 11
Saturday, July 9
Saturday, August 13 

5:30-8:00 PM
 

Dinner & Childcare Provided with RSVP
 

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I hope you will join us! RSVP now! 

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Who is this for?

• Foster families 
• Adoptive families
• Families in process of adoption or foster care licensing

Should I bring anything?

• Your spouse
• Your kids - They will enjoy & benefit from connecting
  with other foster & adoptive children and siblings.
• A dessert to share (optional)

Where is this going down?

• Jason & Cheryl Bentsen's home 2600 Canyon View Lane, Joliet

I like to eat. Will there be food?

• Yes! Dinner will be provided for every adult & child who RSVPs

I want to hang with other adults. Is there childcare available?

• Yes! Get the kids fed & hand them off to our care providers.
• Be sure to tell your child that the adult is now in charge of them so you can be free to mingle with other adults!

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Contact Jason with Questions:
Call or Text: 724.713.8372
Email: jasonbentsen@mac.com

Family Fun Day with Lydia!

LYDIA Rockford Presents...   1st Annual LYDIA Family Fun Day Sunday, June 5th from 3-6 PM The Family Fun Day is a free family event that will feature food, fun activities for kids, and news regarding LYDIA Urban Academy and Safe Families. This will be a great opportunity to celebrate how God is working through LYDIA Rockford. While the event is free to attend, please be sure to reserve your ticket(s). During the event, you will have an opportunity to give a financial gift to support LYDIA Rockford. Thank you in advance for supporting an organization that is creating change in our young people and for the community at-large. If you haven’t registered yet, please click here to reserve your tickets.  If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation you may also do that through the event page.     LYDIA Rockford | 223 S. Winnebago St., Rockford, IL 61102