May 2021 Newsletter
Education News
Hope for the journey: Recap
On May 1, we were able to gather together for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began with local foster and adoptive parents for an in-person education event. Hope for the Journey is a simulcast event hosted by Show Hope that we were able to share with our community thanks to the partnership with All God’s Children and Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Our good friends at Bethlehem Church Oconee Campus graciously offered their building AND provided childcare for the day. Kids had a safe, engaging environment for the day, while their parents had the opportunity to learn and being encouraged.
This year has been hard for all of us, but foster care and adoption are often so very isolating. We work hard to bring people together to remind us all that we are not alone. We are grateful for the opportunity to be together again, and look forward to hosting more in-person events again later this fall.
Adoption News
HELP + HOPE: WRAP-UP
Our original Help + Hope date in April was thwarted by heavy rains and severe storms, but we were able to gather with many of the volunteers over the last week to work at the two sites. On Saturday, May 15, twenty-one volunteers joined the staff at a foster family’s home in Commerce, GA. The team helped this faithful family by adding more parking area for additional drivers (They foster teens!), spread grass seed and straw, adding wider stairs for better access to the back deck, replaced aged wood on the front porch and back deck, and repainted each. We are so, so grateful for the volunteers! It was an incredible day to serve a family that continuously answers the call to foster.
Our second project site for 2021 was the Barrow County DFCS office. On Wednesday, May 19, we gathered to create a family visitation space for families and case workers to use. With a climbing dome, tic tac toe board, picnic table, and bench, families now have a safe, kid-friendly space to create positive memories.
Thank you once again to our event sponsors. We could not do this work without the many donations of materials and the financial support. Thank you, Turner and Patat, LLC; Elwood and Goetz Wealth Advisory Group, LLC; Butler Landscape + Design; Ogelthorpe Feed + Hardware; Webber Development & Construction; Zaxby’s; Pallas Landscape; Carter Lumber; Andy Kate Photography; Millstone Homes; Chase Stephens State Farm; Golden Pantry; Akins Ford; Roll Off Systems; Wisotsky Law, Inc; Sidney Middlebrooks Photography; and Commerce Dental Group!
While the final details of Help + Hope are wrapping up, the needs for additional funds is still great! 100% of every dollar raised is given to adopting families to help off-set adoption expenses. We do not want the financial expenses to ever impact a family’s decision to provide a safe, loving, forever home to a child, so it is our great honor to support families with the gift of direct grants. To continue supporting adopting families, we need YOU! Donate today!
Foster Care News
NEW CLOTHES CLOSET HOURS
Beginning in June, we are returning to open closet hours each Tuesday and Thursday. Shoppers can drop in without an appointment within shopping hours. Donations can also be made on Tuesdays and Thursdays without appointment. Hours will be 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. In addition, we are offering an "After Hours" shopping evening once a month for families. On the last Tuesday of each month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. the closet will be open for shopping.
For the remainder of May, shopping hours and donations are by appointment. Please visit our Clothes Closet webpage for the latest details and sign-up opportunities.