U Count Partnered with Homeless Gear to advocate for the need of filled Breakfast Bags. These bags were filled with 3 food items and 2 drinks. Their goal was to fill 1,000 bags. Tonight they had their final packing event and the total bags filled after tonight was 2,735!!!!! Thank you Timberline Church for supporting this effort in such a significant way. :)
Is Homelessness a problem in Colorado?
On Monday night, January 29th, 2007 there were an estimated 15,394 homeless men, women, and children in Colorado.
Kids for Kyla is now accepting applications to extend its first grant to couples who are in the process of adoption or going through infertility treatments. :)
Go to the website below and click on the button that looks like this to download a copy of the application. Applications must be mailed in and received by February 17, 2012.
Register for this Event today!! Finally Home Foundation is committed to supporting families who have adopted or provide foster care. The time that you spend in this class will strengthen your marriage, give you tools in dealing with conflict and help you know that you are not alone in the challenges that you face in this journey. The best part is there is no charge to attend this event. Lunch and snacks are provided. :)
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Naomi and Ruth. Ruth's love and commitment to Naomi is clearly stated in:
Ruth 1:16
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
As an adoptive mom, I see the parallels of Ruth and Naomi's story being very similar to the struggles and emotions that we go through as an adoptive parent.
This song by Nicole Nordeman and Amy Grant titled: "I'm with you" tells the story beautifully.
As you listen to this song, I think you will see that you and your foster/adoptive child are actually on the same side. A line in this songs says: "falling on your hands and knees, trying to gather up my dreams trying to hold onto to anything". While at times it feels like we are opposing each other, we are each trying desperately in our own way to keep our hopes and dreams (individually and collectively) from slipping away.
While ours kids display behaviors and emotions that stem from their past, our hearts grieve for what they have experienced and felt.
It is clear in God's Word that He is near the brokenhearted.
Psalms 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
This is promise that we can stand on!! God is near us and our children as we walk through this valley of healing. :)
Welcome Child Ministries is honored to partner with Finally Home Foundation. The impact that FHF is making in supporting adoptive and foster families through their one day "Surviving and Thriving" Family Wellness Events is significant. :)
Click on a date for more information and to register as an attendee or volunteer.
During November and December, FHF gave out four Encouragement Packages consisting of a $50 gift card, a customized family pillow and an invitation to an FHF Event. Thank you for giving the gift of encouragement!
"Thanks for the encouragement package. What a blessing!"
Heather & Brandon Alverson
Reach More Families
Deadline to double your gift fast approaching
FHF was given a $30,000 match gift in December and since then, our partners have given $26,696. We only have$3,304 more to go to reach our $30K goaland make the most of this generous match gift.
The deadline to finish the match is January 31 in order to launch the 2012 ReachMore Families Advance. When you commit to this essential project, here’s what you’ll help accomplish:
Identify foster/adoptive families with the greatest needs.
Invite families to a special day where they’ll learn how valued they are and how to network with other families.
Where they’ll be safe to ask questions
Where they’ll hear practical ways to nurture their marriage & care for children with prior abuse and neglect
Because you care, five special days will be held where foster/adoptive parents will learn they’re not alone, and that success for wounded children is far closer than they know today.
The investment for a one-day Reach More Families event is $5,000 (includes 100 meals, specialized children’s program, handouts for parents, ABC's of Character book & "Super Heroes Academy" t-shirt for all of the kids).
You can go online and set up a one time gift towards the match gift OR a recurring, monthly donation at www.finallyhomefoundation.net. Any amount will help us Reach More Families in 2012.
FHF Launches Scholarship Program
A new ministry is launched!
In January, 2011, FHF launched a mental health scholarship program. Recognizing that many families do not have the resources to provide the kind of intervention that children with acute emotional trauma require, FHF worked to establish a program to address this gap.
In keeping with the vision to "equip communities to rally around the heroes who are foster and adoptive families," FHF is always looking for strategic partnerships that serve families effectively in the areas where they are hurting the most.
2011 FHF Mental Health Scholarship Recipient:
"Our 15 year old daughter has been living at a Therapeutic Group Home for almost 8 months and the emotional struggle of that has taken some getting used to. Being in full-time, support-based ministry, we live on a modest income and found it equally challenging to cover the expenses related to our daughter's "out of home care". Receiving the scholarship from FHF has been a huge blessing to us during this time. Several of our ministry supporters have wanted to help by giving to the scholarship fund which has relieved a good deal of the burden of trying to pay for our daughter's care out of our normal income. We are very grateful for the servant-hearted help and encouragement we have received from the staff and volunteers of FHF!" Shannon and Susan
This effort has grown into it's own partnering non-profit organization called, Adoptive Families Coalition.
"It’s truly been an honor to help birth an organization dedicated to coming alongside foster and adoptive families in crisis." Mark VanDruff, Chairman of FHF Board
For more information on the launch of this new organization, you may contact:
Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day!!
A special weekend is coming up soon to spotlight U COUNT Campaign at Timberline Church. Make plans to attend one of our weekend services to find out more about how you can get involved!
Saturday - January 28 at 5:00pm and Sunday - January 29 at 8:30,10:00,11:30. With your helpU COUNT is making a difference in the lives of women and children in India. :)
- JANUARY -
NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
PREVENTION MONTH
SAVE THE DATE
U COUNT Campaign Spotlight Weekend!
When: January 28/29
Where: Timberline Church - all services
Don't miss this wonderful weekend of celebration. The U COUNT Campaign Team will share photos, videos and personal accounts of the trip we made to Kolkata, India, where we met the beautiful women and children who are the inspiration behind all that we do!
Purchase a frosty key chain from Wendy's for $1 now through February 29th (while supplies last). Not only will you be supporting The Adoption Exchange, you will get a free jr. frosty with any purchase through December 31, 2012. YUM!!! :)
Hi! My husband Jeff and I have been married for 31 years. We have 9 children. Three by birth and six through adoption. Our children were born here in the US, China, Korea, Haiti and Hong Kong. God put adoption on my heart when I was a little girl. I grew up in the Foursquare Church with my dad being a pastor. We often had missionaries in our home. The pictures of children that lived in orphanages where they ministered were permanently etched on my heart. :)
