First WCCC Regional Summer Picnic

To: Safe Families, Foster Families, Adoptive Families, Support Teams,

and Advocacy Team at Willow Creek Community Church (All Campuses!)

Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010
Time: 12:00 am to 4 pm
Place: Frontier Park, 1933 N. Kennicott Dr.
Arlington Heights, (Main Pavilion)
www.ahpd.org

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Beverages will be provided. Please bring a side dish, dessert or munchies to share ~ Food will be served promptly at noon.

Come prepared to have lots of fun!

Playground, volleyball nets, basketball courts, and tennis court available. Please bring your own ball, Frisbees, and/or other lawn games.

You are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

There will also be crafts, balloons, and face-painting for the little ones!

To be better prepared, please R.S.V.P. to Cecilia at avoiceforhischildren@gmail.com by June 6th with the following information:

Number of Adults and Children attending, Children’s’ ages, and let us know if you will be eating with us. Thanks!

Human Rights Advocate Somaly Mam to Speak at DePaul University

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL FOR NEW LEARNING

presents

SOMALY MAM

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010

Breakfast 8:30 A.M.

Program 9:30–11:00 A.M

DePaul University

Cortelyou Commons
2324 N. Fremont Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Please join us in a rare conversation with Somaly Mam,
a remarkable human rights advocate from Cambodia whose
courageous battle against global sexual slavery and for
universal rights for women continue to inspire and
touch so many lives.

Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2009,
Mam’s tireless efforts to end human trafficking have been
supported by the United Nations, praised by the State Department
and earned her the first Roland Berger Human Dignity Award in 2008.

Mam has also been selected as the 2010 Honorary Degree Recipient for
DePaul University’s School for New Learning. To view Mam’s full bio,
see the Somaly Mam Foundation website at: http://www.somaly.org/.


Limited seating so RSVP required at snlevents@depaul.edu by June 9, 2010. Contact Shannon Stone-Winding at snlevents@depaul.edu or 312.362.6367 for more info.

Directions to Cortelyou Commons can be found at http://www.depaul.edu/maps/lpc/cortelyou.asp.

Discounted parking for this event is available at the Sheffield Parking Garage at 2335 N.
Sheffield Avenue and at the Clifton Parking Deck at 2330 N. Clifton Avenue.

If you are interested in attending with others from our group, please contact Lynn Herzog at
douglynnh@sbcglobal.net

SAVE THE DATE: LYDIA's Benefit Gala

Join us for LYDIA's Annual Benefit Gala on Thursday, November 11, at the Donald Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont! This special evening will feature Mike Breaux of Heartland Community Church. Mike Breaux is currently a teaching pastor at Heartland Community Church in Rockford and was formerly on the pastoral staff at Willow Creek Community Church. Mike is the author of two books, Making Ripples and Identity Theft.

The event will feature a silent auction, complimentary dinner and program, and an opportunity to contribute financially to LYDIA.

They are currently looking for Table Hosts, Gala Sponsors and donations for their Silent Auction.

If you are interested in attending together as a group or being a table host for our group, please contact Cecilia Puczek at avoiceforhischildren@gmail.com.

RECENT NEWS IN ADOPTION AND ORPHAN CARE

Below, is a list of updates and changes to various international adoption programs, put together by Loving Shepherd Ministries (LSM). It is their goal to keep church ministries and families aware of program fluctuations and changes. In the world of international adoption, a flow of constant change can be expected. To received e-mail updates from Loving Shepherd go to www.loving-shepherd.org.

Russia - There has been uncertainty and unknowns since the tragic incident of the 7-year-old Russian boy, adopted by a U.S. family, who was sent to Moscow on a one-way flight and abandoned. Since this occurred, there has been speculation of a call by the Russian government for a moratorium (suspension) on all U.S. adoptions from Russia. In recent meetings between the Russia and U.S. government, significant progress has been made, and an agreement on basic principles of adoption has been reached. This agreement is to establish an improved intercountry adoption process. Based on this agreement between both countries, the adoption process will continue to be open to new families.

Haiti - As of April 14, 2010, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Department of State announced that the Humanitarian Parole program was ending and that Haiti was reopening the adoption process. However, LSM cautions families interested in Haitian adoption that it is still unclear how the adoption process will be affected. The Haiti government is accepting dossiers under the same laws that were in effect pre-earthquake. However, the government is currently looking at new adoption laws. It is anticipated that the Haiti adoption process may actually take longer than it did previously. Therefore, certain agencies have reopened their Haiti program to a limited number of new families. Again, much caution is urged for new applicants, and agencies are asking for much patience.

Ethiopia - As of May 9, 2010, the Court of Ethiopia officially announced that adoptive parents must appear at a federal court hearing for their adoptive child in order for the adoption to be approved. This new requirement will affect all pending and new adoption cases and will now require two trips to Ethiopia for adoptive parents.

Nepal - The U.S. State Department issued an adoption alert for this country on May 4, 2010. Due to the possibility of an indefinite nationwide strike, the adoption process and appointments at the Embassy are halted. According to the U.S. Department of State, "The U.S. government strongly discourages prospective adoptive parents from choosing adoption in Nepal because of grave concerns about the reliability of Nepal's adoption system and the accuracy of the information in children's official files."

Adoption certainly requires much faith, patience and stamina. Please remember: It starts with only one. By listening to God's call we can, one by one, care for the needs of the orphans worldwide. It only takes one person, one family, one church, one heart and one passion to bring the message of the orphan to God's huge family.

If your church or families have any questions or concerns in regards to adoption, please feel free to contact Jen Schwartz, LSM Adoption Services Manager, at jen@loving-shepherd.org.

New Illinois Law Provides Adoptees Access to Family History

SPRINGFIELD -- Adopted people will have more access to Illinois documents about their family history, under a new law signed by Gov. Pat Quinn Friday.

Normally, the original birth certificate of an adoptee is legally sealed, but legislation passed this session would make it standard for birth certificates to be released, unless the parents giving up a child specifically ask to be anonymous.

Under the legislation, adopted people born in 1945 or earlier could get their birth certificates right away.

Adopted people born after 1945 would have to wait until November of next year, after their birth parents have had a chance to file an objection if they want.

Many adoption advocates support the law, but some, like state Rep. Keith Sommer, a Morton Republican with two adopted children, fear the law could lead to problems as adopted children seek out their parents later in life, if the parents have not learned of the law and taken advantage of its provisions allowing them to remain anonymous. A Cary-based group called Adoption Reform Illinois criticized the new law as not going far enough, saying any adult should be able to obtain unredacted birth records.

"Any proposed change that does not recognize adult adoptees as having the same rights and responsibilities of every other Illinois resident is unacceptable," the group said in a prepared statement urging lawmakers to revisit adoptee rights. The proposal passed the Illinois House 74-39 and cleared the state Senate 36-16.

ORPHANetwork In Need of Computer Software for Nicaraguan Children

The following message is from ORPHANetwork, a ministry that serves orphans and vulnerable children in Nicaragua. Please help them if you can. www.orphanetwork.org




Have you ever been sitting on a couch with your computer, fuming at some paralyzing, ridiculous problem with the technology, only to see it fixed by someone less than a fourth of your age?

Either way, it's becoming the norm that children grow up with computer skills. And when something becomes critical to growth and success in society, ORPHANetwork wants to jump on it to give our kids every opportunity possible for a new life.

Amerigroup has given our children 50 laptops, and 7 full desktops to equip our orphanage partners to teach computer skills to each and every one of our children. These computers will make their way into feeding center 'cyber cafes', into our orphanage classrooms, and allow our children to fully develop in the technology arena.

We're beyond grateful to Amerigroup for their gift, and excited for their partnership in raising our children.

There's one step left to the equation, and it's where you come in: ORPHANetwork is in need of software to run each and every one of those 57 computers. They're coming to us wiped totally clean, with no operating systems, no software packages, no programs.

So we're calling out to you! WE NEED COMPUTER PROGRAMS!

Do you have spare licenses of your current operating system or software? Maybe you bought a 'family pack' and only used a few licenses. Do you have friends with spare programs?

Specifically, we're looking for:
1. Windows operating systems
2. Microsoft Office (for Windows...at least Word and Excel).

We want our kids to learn how to type; to learn programs like Excel; to be given every opportunity out there. Will you help us and be a part of it?

If you've got a spare program, or would think about gifting a new package to us - send it to our address:

1500 N. Great Neck Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA, 23454

Thanks so much for coming alongside our kids as we lay every opportunity possible at their feet!
Cole Bingham
Director of Communication and Marketing
ORPHANetwork

ps - sorry Mac users, we're only looking for PC products, but you can absolutely still find friends with PC software and make those connections for us!

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit on CBN Television

Source: Christian Alliance for Orphans Blog

Alongside a compelling news report on Summit VI, commentary from Pat Robertson on why Christians would…or would not…adopt is likely to stir serious controversy. It’s worth watching the polite but highly-charged exchange between Robertson and co-host Terry Meeuwsen. (Embedded at bottom of post).

Many orphan advocates likely will wince as they hear Robertson express sentiments like, “It [adoption] can be a blessing, if you get the right child.” The troubling statements, however, offer a striking reminder of three important realities. First, that many people harbor deep and understandable fears about adoption that must be gently and honestly addressed. Second, that even many Christians still hold the mistaken view that a successful adoption is primarily about building a family by finding the right child, rather than a decision born of both obedience and love–both of which spring from response to God’s loving adoption of us. And third, that much has changed even in the past several years, as Christians have re-awoken to the biblical call to care for orphans in their distress–not merely by sending checks overseas, but by opening their hearts and homes.

Explicit in Robertson’s concerns is an important theme wise adoption advocates repeatedly sound as well: “Count the cost.” Yes, many adopted children come from very difficult places, and the journey to a full sense of belonging and permanent family often is rife with difficulty, sacrifice and even sorrow. But this is only one piece of the story, and not the most important.

A segment of Robertson’s exchange with his co-host Terry Meeuwsen, who powerfully defends a truly Christ-hearted view of adoption, captures the issue well.

Robertson expresses serious concerns about adoption, warning of serious emotional, developmental and spiritual problems, and worrying, “If they’ve been brain damaged as a child, what’s going to happen?”

Meeuwsen affirms Robertsons’ fears, but then challenges: “…I think all children who’ve been through any kind of trauma certainly have emotional needs, for sure, and as you’re saying, spiritual needs. On the other hand, I would say, ‘If not us, who? Who sets those children free? Who teaches the truth to them? Who loves them to wholeness? It ought to be Christians.”

Robertson: “Well, I think it’s all real lovely but…”

Meeuwsen: “Well, it’s not ‘real lovely.’ I mean I think that lady that talked at the end [Lisa Harding] said it all when she said, you know, ‘I have the privilege of being daily being delivered from my own selfishness, from my own irritations.’ And you are. I’ve always said that if there’s a flaw in your marriage, in your family, in your character, it is all going to rise to the top. But it’s a bigger picture and if you’re called for it, go for it with gusto!’”

Terry Meeuwsen would know; she is a mother of seven, five by adoption.

See the full story and commentary here:
http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=695

Mom's Coffee

June Coffee for Safe Families & Foster Moms

When: Tuesday, June 1st

What Time: 9:30-11:30

Where: Kari Schacke’s House

1754 E Forest, Des Plaines

We are meeting a week early this
month, hoping to catch everyone
before school lets out for summer.

Our group continues to grow!

Among other topics, we will discuss
plans for the summer and fall.

Children are Welcome.

Please let me know if you plan to attend.

Terri Hooker
thooker@americandooranddock.com
847-366-7502

Sunnyridge Family Center Announces Embryo Donation & Adoption Services

What is embryo adoption?

In the United States there are an estimated 500,000 human embryos in frozen storage. These embryos were created by couples pursuing pregnancy via in vitro fertilization.

After these couples have completed their family building and must determine what to do with their remaining embryos. Keep them frozen? Donate them to science? Discard them? Or entrust them to another couple struggling with infertility?

The actual process of embryo donation and adoption is governed by contract law in the United States. Several adoption agencies and clinics have chosen to wrap the process in the safeguards of established adoption practices. This protects you, the child, and the donor family.

At this time Sunny Ridge can provide home studies and post adoption services for couples in Illinois and Indiana who are hoping to build their family through embryo donation and adoption. To download a brochure, click the following link. http://www.sunnyridge.org/pdf/embryo_adoption2010.pdf

How Does Embryo Donation and Adoption Work?
Couples who have embryos in frozen storage choose to donate them to another family. This choice gives hope to another family pursuing their dream of having children.

This donation can be made anonymously or in an open arrangement. In an open adoption, the donating and adopting families agree upon the match. The level of openness between the families is also determined by the families themselves.

How do we get started?
For more information, contact Becky MacDougall at Sunnyridge Family Center at (630) 754-4522, or attend an upcoming Adoption Information Meeting. You can also visit http://www.embryoadoption.org/ for lists of agencies and clinics who have donation and adoption programs.

Foster Care Prayer Vigil

Last night was a wonderful time of prayer, stories and connecting at our 2nd annual Foster Care Prayer Vigil. We had a great turnout of people who have a passion to serve the most vulnerable in our society. We heard stories about God's involvement in children, families, foster care professionals and the Church, and prayed for all those involved in the foster care system. With 143 million orphans world-wide, and 500,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, the need is great. Yet we know that God's heart for these kids is greater still, and He has called us to care for them.

As I came home and started to unwind, I was struck with a sense that the time I spent that evening was very significant. We all have so many demands for our attention, but I could not think of another thing I could have done that evening, that would have held as much importance. It was really a privilege to share the evening with all of you that attended.

Pizza & Connection Time

A Sampling of the Heart Gallery of Illinois

The Welcoming Team

For more information about the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil organization, or to find an event in your area, visit www.fostercareprayervigil.org.