December 2020 Newsletter
Education News
LOOKING TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW YEAR
CHOOSING TO CARE CONFERENCE
Since the very beginning of CFLM, part of our purpose has been to share the needs with our community and to support those who step forward to foster or adopt. This is the heart behind our Education Program and the goal of our Choosing to Care Conference. 2021 would have been our 10th conference, so it is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce that we will not host our annual conference in 2021. Our priority is the safety of our community, and at this time we do not feel that we can offer an in-person conference for adults and children, while maintaining best practices with social distancing.
While we are truly saddened by this decision, we are also hopeful and excited for new opportunities. We look forward to hosting a variety of virtual and in-person education opportunities throughout 2021. Look for our first Learning to Care Workshop in early 2021. Registration details will be available soon!
HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY
For the last several years, in partnership with Nightlight Christian Adoptions and All God’s Children, we have offered Show Hope’s Empowered to Connect Conference. In 2021, Show Hope will offer a retooled conference experience entitled Hope for the Journey. The aim of this one-day simulcast event will be to shepherd parents and everyday caregivers to a deeper understanding of their children’s needs.
We will once again partner with Nightlight Christian Adoptions and All God’s Children to bring you this new, one-day conference experience. Save the Date for Saturday, May 1. Information regarding childcare and registration will be available soon!
Show Hope’s Hope for the Journey
Saturday, May 1
Bethlehem Church-Oconee campus 1820 Rays Church Rd, Bishop, GA 30621
Adoption News
2020 ADOPTION SUPPORT PROGRAM RECAP
ADOPTION IN THE YEAR 2020
In 2020, we have seen significant hardships in adoption, particularly within international adoption. As COVID-19 impacted travel for all of us, you can imagine how it impacted families hoping to travel to meet children across the globe. Many families faced considerable delays as the impacts of the pandemic were felt around the world. We give thanks and celebrate with the waiting families that were able to meet their children, while holding space to grieve for those families that have still not been able to travel due to the far-reaching effects of coronavirus.
This year, we awarded $29,980 to adopting families. Colombia, China, and the Ukraine are just some of the countries represented by these families. We also dispersed $47,880 to families that matched with their sons and daughters this year. Families are awarded a grant at the time of application, but the dispersement of funds occurs at the time of match. Some of these families had been waiting since 2018. What a joy is was to mail those checks and celebrate with these families!
ADOPTION IN THE NEW YEAR
Our Adoption Assistance Grant opens for first quarter applicants on January 1. The deadline for first quarter will be March 15. We welcome applicants to read our requirements and download our latest application available on our grant webpage. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Greavu.
Will you pray with us for waiting children and families? Many families that were unexpectedly caught by the travel delays of COVID-19 will wait an additional year or more to meet their children. Other families have stepped out in faith and boldness to adopt despite the uncertainty of present times. Will you pray for them? We may not control much, but we know the one who’s got the whole world in his hands. Join us in praying for comfort, peace, and favor.
Foster Care News
TIS THE SEASON
One of our staff’s absolute favorite events of the year is our annual Foster Family Christmas Party. When the decision was made that there was not a safe way to hold the event, we quickly began to brainstorm other options. This year, we had the joy and privilege to celebrate Christmas with local foster families from Region 5 with a socially distanced Christmas at the Drive-in.
With the help of our new friends at Oconee County Park and Recreation Department, we created our own drive-in movie experience. Families were able to gather together, eat personal pizzas from our friends at Fox’s Pizza, and watch Christmas movies on the big screen.
What a special night! While we missed Santa Cow and our other traditional activities, we were so thankful for the ways that so many people stepped forward to help us celebrate Christmas with children in care and the families that care for them.
Earlier this year, we were able to celebrate DFCS staff through a drive-thru thank you event. We were so grateful to have another opportunity to thank these diligent, compassionate, and dedicated staff for the work they do every day. CFLM staff, Compassionate Listening volunteers, and many others helped us to celebrate with Barrow, Jackson, and Clarke/Oconee DFCS staff.
As we wrap up 2020, we continue to be so thankful for the various ways the local churches, businesses, and volunteers serve vulnerable children and families in our community. We believe everyone has a role to play. Thank you for finding yours!