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Volume 2 Edition 2
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March 2010
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 Rain, Rain Go Away...
Spring is definitely here and despite the persistent rain and flooding all over the state, it is exciting to see the crocuses in bloom and hear the birds chirping, heralding spring's arrival. There is so much excitement on the horizon! Check out our updated website. The changes should make the site much friendlier and easier to navigate.
We have so many wonderful events coming up too. Our 2nd Annual FAMilies Festival plans are underway and the day promises to be even better than last year. Once again we will have a Parade of Nations to start off the day. Many of your children have been invited to dress in authentic costumes from different countries. The kids will parade around Quassy Park starting off a day filled with music and dance from around the world. Ethnic foods will also be available for purchase and, of course, there are the amusement park rides..... Oh, how all the kids love that part of the day!
Foster and adoptive families should look out for their invitations to the Mother Daughter Tea on May 16th. They will be mailed out shortly. RSVP early as space is limited. The students at Miss Porter's have been working on this event all semester. It is sure to be a crowd pleaser! And what a sweet way to add to your Mother's Day celebrations!
Another special event planned for National Foster Care Month is the "Home is Where the Heart Is" Family Music Festival planned for May 16th in Middletown. Bring your picnic baskets and blankets. This is an event sure to please families of all ages! More information about this event is available on our website.
Once again, we request your assistance with a young man looking for his forever home. Tim, featured below, is currently attending a vocational school in the New Britain/Newington area. He wants so much to finish out his school years at his current school. Remember when you were a teen? Remember how tough moving (again and again) during those awkward teen years would have felt? Won't you help Tim by forwarding this newsletter to friends and family? Maybe we can work the magic Tim needs to have his dream fulfilled.
May all of you enjoy the spring holidays!
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Ashley and Khalid
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An Act of Kindness
People begin their foster care journey in all different ways. Some have always known that they want to be a foster parent - they feel a call to care for the kids. Some are called upon to help out a family member who needs someone to care for her child while she tries to get her life back on track. Others are moved by an article in the newspaper or a movie depicting a child in need of a home. Some just love raising children and the joy children bring into their lives. Still others experience painful infertility issues and address their longing for children by fostering or adopting. And then there are others whose journeys begin in really unique ways...
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Tim can't wait to drive!
 | Meet Tim
Tim is a typical teenager who loves to play video games and hang out with his friends. He is laid back and does best in situations where the people around him are also laid back and relaxed. In the coming months Tim will be turning 16, and he is looking forward to learning how to drive. Currently Tim enjoys spending as much time as possible riding motocross with his friends at a local course. When he's not riding or playing videogames Tim enjoys volunteering as a junior staff in a children's program that assists five to eleven year olds with homework and numerous activities. Tim is hoping that this experience will help him to become a summer camp counselor. Tim enjoys his vocational school immensely. He is preparing for a job in the field of computers. It is very important to Tim that he gets to stay in his current high school so a foster family would need to be from the New Britain or the Newington area.
Tim's ideal family would be one that would give him the freedom and independence he needs as a maturing young man while at the same time still be caring and helping him transition into adulthood. It is very important for Tim that a family will respect his bond with members of his biological family.
 If you or anyone you know would be interested in finding out more about Tim, please contact Margaliet Ligtenstein at 203.389.5599, extension 105 or click on the logo at right to visit the JFS website for more information on all of their programs.
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 Fosterware Parties!
Do you like to have fun? Are you looking for an excuse to hold a party? And have you ever wondered what you could do to help find homes for waiting kids? Consider hosting a Fosterware party. These parties are based on the Tupperware home party concept and not only are they fun but they are designed to provide information to partygoers about ways they can help children in foster care.
FAM presenters come to your home and talk with groups of three or more of your friends and neighbors about our foster care and adoption programs. Our presenter makes a brief presentation and brings literature and goodies for all partygoers. Hosting families are given a gift card to cover the cost of food and drinks.
Please help us find good homes for great kids! We promise you'll have fun and you'll be opening your home and heart for a good cause.
Contact Deb Kelleher at 203-706-0101 or e-mail her to schedule a party.
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The Discovered Spirit Project
The Discovered Spirit Project is a Covenant to Care for Children (CCC) venture affording children and youth with any experience in Connecticut's Department of Children and Families or the CCC Mentoring Program a voice by encouraging self-expression through art. Children created masks guided by professional Connecticut artists, Donna Frustere, Karen Wright of Hartford, Katrina Franzen of Southport, Marta Cunha, and Julie Nearing of
Middletown, who volunteered their time and talents to the project.
Words alone are not enough to express what children feel. This is especially true when they are faced with the complex issues of divorce, grief, violence, abuse, neglect or coping with poverty. This project helps these children to express a wide range of emotions and help them work through conflicts and traumas. The intent was for the children to gain a sense of empowerment that can help them develop a positive self-image and improve their self-esteem.
Southport Galleries (203.292.6124) in Fairfield County is displaying the masks created by the children, along with examples of the professional artists' work. Sarah Biggers, gallery manager, has generously allowed use of this beautiful new Southport gallery located in the renovation of the village's historic hardware store. The masks will be available for sale through March 31, 2010 at the gallery with all proceeds supporting CCC programs. After this period, the masks will travel to faith-based sites throughout Connecticut as a traveling display during the following ten months but will still be available for purchase through CCC.
The goal is to bring broader awareness of Covenant to Care for Children and the children we serve, offer an opportunity at recognition and accomplishment to the children participating, and build support for CCC programs
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Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.
~by Clarissa Pinkola Estes | |
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Waiting Children
Please click on the AdoptUSKids link to view CT's children and youth waiting to be adopted. |
| Upcoming Events |
| 7th Annual Citywide
Community
Health Fair
Housatonic Comm.
College
Shelter Dogs Rock!
CT Expo Center
Hartford, CT
April 30 - May 2
Fairfield County Women's Expo
Stamford Plaza Hotel
Stamford, CT
May 1 - May 2
10th Annual FAMilies Festival
Quassy Amusement Park
Middlebury, CT
May 1, 2010
Mother Daughter Tea
Miss Porter's School
Farmington, CT
May 16
Home is Where the Heart Is Family Music Festival
Wadsworth Mansion
Healthy Living Expo and Road Race
Bartlem Park
Cheshire, CT
May 23
Bells Of Hope
Statewide Churches and Schools
November 7 |
| Save the Date! |
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2nd Annual FAMilies Festival
Join us on May 1st (raindate 5/2) as we celebrate the incredible diversity present in
foster and adoptive families through dance, music, food and fun!
The first 100 vehicles through the gates will be our guests. Look for a special edition of our newsletter featuring a coupon for $5 off a carload for all other FAM attendees. |
Open House schedule available on our website
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Prospective foster and adoptive parents are welcome at any Open House listed on our website. Please call Deb Kelleher or email for information or to schedule an individual appointment. 203-706-0101
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Wednesday's Child 
WTNH Channel 8 airs a weekly segment featuring CT children available for adoption and families formed through adoption. Click on the logo above to see recent video segments hosted by Ted Koppy. You can also access older video segments by clicking on the RSS Feed icon (orange square with radiating lines) located on the bottom right corner of the "More Wednesday's Child" section. | |
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| Contact Information |
NW Regional Coordinator: Deb Kelleher 203.706.0101 Email
Milford/New Haven Regional Coordinator: Ashley Minihan 203.394.8506 Email
Greater Fairfield County Coordinator: Lori Boersma 203.583.9374 Email Meriden/Middletown Regional Coordinator: Susan Herget 203.583.9312 Email | |
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