Strengthening Children & Families Luncheon!

You are invited to join

Bethany Christian Services of Illinois and
Safe Families for Children

for our

Strengthening Children and Families
Fundraising Luncheon

Thursday, March 1, 2018
12:00 - 1:15 pm

Doors open at 11:15 a.m.
Lunch and program begin promptly at noon

The Carlisle

435 East Butterfield Rd

Lombard, IL

Bethany Christian Services is shining God's love into the hard places 

and striving to strengthen children and families.  

We deeply value your partnership in this ministry. Your investment equips families 

to be God's love to children. Please join us and learn how God is working through

Bethany Christian Services and Safe Families for Children to strengthen children and families.  

Guests will have an opportunity to financially support the ministries 

of Bethany Christian Services. 

Lunch is complimentary and reservations are required.
Please RSVP by February 16, 2018.

Click HERE for more information and to RSVP.

Podcast: How to Handle Overstimulation During the Holidays

 

The holiday season is full of fun and exciting sights, sounds, smells, treats, and activities. Mike and Kristin have asked their good friend, Jenn Hook, to join them as they discuss some ways parents can handle over-stimulation with their kids during the holiday season.  Listen in now for Part 2 of 4 in our “Holiday Survival Tips and Tricks Series.”

For more information and resources, visit the Confessions of an Adoptive Parent web site.

Listen Now:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Replanted Christmas Party!

The Replanted Christmas Party 

is coming December 8th!

Join us for the annual Replanted Christmas Party. Whether you are part of a MeToo Group, or a first-timer, all are welcome to join! Don't forget to wear your best ugly Christmas sweater, and get ready to have some fun! Bring your favorite cookies to share for dessert and we'll supply the eggnog!

Friday, December 8th from 6-8pm at Church of the Resurrection (935 W Union Ave in Wheaton)

Be sure to RSVP today. We need to know if you are coming by 12/4. If you want more information you can click here.

*Meal will be provided for adults only, so please bring your children fed.
**Childcare will be provided for the whole two hours.

The Interstate Adoption Option!

Stand Sunday...will you stand with us?

Will you Stand with us for Adoption, Foster Care &

Safe Families for Children?

Join us on November 11th & 12th!

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Look for us in the lobby after each service (services are at 5:30pm, 9am & 11:15am) to show your support.  You'll have a chance to sign our "Stand" wall 

and receive an "I Stand" sticker.

Questions? Email afs@willowcreek.org

Stand Sunday is an initiative of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and is hosted by the Adoption, Foster Care & Safe Families for Children Ministry at Willow Creek.

The Kindest Thing You Can Do for a Potential Foster Parent

A friend of mine recently told me about his daughter’s 5th birthday. Leading up to the birthday party, the one thing she kept asking for was a pinata.  Being good parents who wanted to give good gifts to their daughter, they went out and found the perfect teddy bear pinata.

On the big day when the teddy bear was revealed, she was thrilled.  They lined up all the kids, and armed with a blindfold and a stick, they began the normal pinata routine.  Each child came forward and took a swing, and everyone was having a great time.

And then it happened.

Read the rest of the story.

Taken from the CAFO blog
October 27, 2017 by Jason Weber

First Mom Group Starting at Willow Creek!

A new group is starting for women who have placed a child(ren) for adoption. Learn how you can find community, encouragement, support, and healing with other First Moms, no matter where you are on your journey.   

Gatherings will take place at 

Willow Creek Community Church 

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, Room F280.

Informational Meeting

Wednesday, November 29th, 7:30-8:45pm

First Mom Gatherings

Wednesdays, December 6, 13, 20 from 7:30-8:45pm

 

For more information contact Jan Collins (a fellow birthmother) at 773-983-3773 or email adoption@willowcreek.org

      

CCCWA Background Information for Adoptees from China

Adoption agencies that work in China were sent the following Notice on September 14, 2017 from the Office of Children’s Issues of US State Department. They have been told that the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) is willing to communicate with orphanages on behalf of interested adoptees or their adoptive families for any possible additional background information on their child. No further information has been given.

  

You can send your request or questions directly to:  cccwa@cccwa.cn.   

Click here to visit the CCCWA web site

Adopteen Hangout in Chicago!

Adopteen Hangouts – Chicago
October 21^st from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM @ Bombobar
832 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

 

That’s right!  We’re stretching our limbs a bit this year and making a real effort to meet even more new friends across the country and Chicago is our first step.  Let’s call it our tricep stretch.

You may not realize, but Adopteen held our first Camp-Conference back in 2008.  That means 2018 marks our 10^th Anniversary and, other than feeling a bit old, we’re antsy to start celebrating!

Meet Laura Williams, Adopteen Chicago Coordinator.  Laura will be coordinating monthly Adopteen Hangouts around Chicago (thanks, Laura!) and we want you to join!  Bombobar is delicious and we expect to see plenty of Instagram posts and snaps.  Come for the tasty treats, stay for the quality hang time!

Any questions or want to RSVP?  Email Laura at adopteenchicago@gmail.com!

And that’s just the appetizers.  We have a fantastic year in store for you.  Stay tuned for more 10^th Anniversary news and announcements coming next month!

CCAI– Celebrating 25 years and OVER 12,000 children

Chinese Children Adoption International

www.ccaifamily.org 

www.joyouscenter.org

www.parenttraining.org

www.adopteen.org

Adoption Fundraiser for Willow Creek Family!

We are Tullio and Kelly Cox and we are fundraising to bring home Baby Cox.

Kelly's desire to adopt from China began in 2011 when she served at a foster home for children with special needs. She recently returned for the fourth time where she met a little girl in need of heart surgery. After just seeing pictures of her, Tullio instantly felt the need to bring her home and give her the care she needs.We are now in the process of trying to adopt her. 

 

We've completed our application, parent training and home study and sent in all of our Dossier documents (we are just waiting for our 1800A approval). If you know anyone that has ever adopted you know it can be a difficult and very expensive process. Please consider purchasing a t-shirt to help us bring our little girl home. 

 

Thanks you for walking with us in this journey. We hope you think of us and Baby Cox whenever you wear your shirt. 

 

Purchase your t-shirt here!