March 2019 Newsletter
Foster Care News
COMPASSIONATE LISTENING
We are so excited to share about this new ministry opportunity. Compassionate Listening, has successfully launched and is already in its third week. Each Tuesday, volunteers go to a new "retreat room" at the Clarke County DFCS office to listen to case workers share.
Last summer, the Clarke County DFCS Director approached CFLM with the idea that the community could partner with DFCS by providing active listening and encouragement. Kelly Brooks worked with Lifeline Children’s Services staff to create a volunteer orientation to ensure that volunteers felt equipped for this role. CFLM identified a church liaison who helped to recruit volunteers to join us. Volunteers participated in an orientation on basic child welfare concepts and some guidelines to follow. DFCS identified a room that could be used.
With financial provision given by local middle school and high school students at the recent The Mix weekend, we were able to transform this room into a warm and inviting space. We feel that it is clear that our Father has been leading and guiding this endeavor from day one, and He has richly blessed our efforts.
Our prayer is that this would be a space where DFCS caseworkers, who are dealing with so many hard things each day, might be able to simply catch their breath, refocus, and pray. We hope that this room is a space where DFCS staff will want to sit to be reminded that the work they are doing is valuable and that people in their community want to support them in this work.
Education News
WHAT IS THE EMPOWERED TO CONNECT CONFERENCE?
The Empowered to Connect Conference features two days of practical teaching in a safe and supportive community as we work to equip families, churches, and professionals to better serve children impacted by adoption and foster care. This year’s conference includes Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) methods developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, which exists to bring attachment and connection in families.
CONFERENCE DETAILS
April 5-6 10 am-6 pm at Watkinsville First Baptist Church in the Youth Room
REGISTRATION
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
The conference content is beneficial for adoptive parents, foster parents, potential adoptive or foster parents, and professionals or ministry leaders serving children.
WILL CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS BE AVAILABLE?
Yes! Continuing education credits are available for both adoptive and foster parents, as well as professionals. Foster and adoptive parents will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of each day. Attendees are responsible for providing the certificate to their agency, and it is at the agency’s discretion whether or not to count participation toward training credits. To be eligible with your agency to receive training credits, each participant will need to turn in to their agency a copy of each certificate and it is beneficial to also provide them the schedule of the conference.
All professionals interested in receiving continuing education credit must register through this site. You will not be eligible for credit without a confirmation of registration. Continuing education is for licensed professionals only and is not the same as adoptive/foster training credits.
WILL CHILDCARE BE PROVIDED?
No, unfortunately childcare will not be provided. Please make arrangements for your children off-site.
WHAT ARE THE FEES TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE?
The simulcast is free for foster and adoptive parents (or those considering fostering or adopting). There is a $5 charge per day for professionals.
Adoption Support News
BOTH HANDS PROJECT 2019
In just a few short weeks, Chosen for Life Ministries will host its seventh annual Both Hands Project. This year’s Both Hands Project will take place on Saturday, April 27.
Our Both Hands Project is pretty simple. Local volunteers send support letters to raise funds through event sponsorship for working for one day at the home of a widow in our community. On average, volunteers raise $78,715. Businesses in our community support the day with in-kind donations of materials and financial sponsorship. With the help of local businesses, our day of event costs are covered.
Every dollar donated to our Both Hands Project goes directly to helping Georgia families adopt through our Adoption Assistance Grant. Average adoption expenses exceed $40,000 and we know that the financial expense is the number one reason people list for not adopting. We want to help eliminate financial barriers to adoption.
HOW CAN I HELP?
There are many opportunities to join us and take part in the day. If you are interested in serving, please contact us. We would love to have you, your family, or your small group join us for the day! If your business would like to sponsor the day, we would love to speak with you about sponsorship options and have your company join us in this effort to care for orphaned and vulnerable children and support adopting families in Georgia.
If you would like to make a donation to our Both Hands Project, you can do so in one of the following two ways:
Mail a check. Please make your check payable to Both Hands and indicate CFLM 2019 on the memo line.
Both Hands Foundation
PO Box 2713
Brentwood TN 37024Give online. Visit bothhands.org/chosenforlife2019 to donate online.
Please note: Your money is donated to Both Hands Foundation and they graciously manage all the finances for our event and pray for and encourage us, all at no cost. When the event is over, Both Hands Foundation sends 100% of the money raised to CFLM, so feel confident that 100% of your donation goes directly to helping Georgia families adopt. Donations may also be made online. Both Hands Foundation and Chosen for Life Ministries are approved 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. Your donation is tax deductible. Both Hands Foundation and Chosen for Life Ministries are members of the Evangelic Center for Financial Accountability.