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November 16th, 2011
In This Issue
Last Annual Family Ties
Limited Tickets Available
Help with Odd Jobs
20% OFF Your Total Purchase
FREE Support Groups
Fostering Financial Success
Community Calendar
Community Resources
Meet Vi-Torian and Romeo

Vi-Torian is an outgoing, adventurous young lady with a great heart. She loves writing poems and song lyrics.  Her favorite thing is singing. Beyonce is her favorite performer and Vi-Torian says that she wishes to be a singer when she grows up.  
Romeo is "a pleaser," says his foster mother.  Romeo often does nice things for others just "because." Vi-Torian and Romeo are legally free for adoption. Click here to find out more about these great siblings. You can also contact Gayle Flavin, Extreme Recruiter, at 314.367.8373.  Photo courtesy of Sears Portrait Studio.

   

The KidStore 

The KidStore is open exclusively to Missouri and Illinois foster/adoptive parents, relative caregivers, caseworkers, and GALs/CASAs.  It provides high-quality clothing and other children's items at "garage sale" prices. Click here for instructions on what to bring with you on your first visit.   

 

November Specials:

  • Buy a sweater, get a pair of jeans 1/2 price!
  • KidStore CLOSED 11.25.11
Phone:
314.773.KIDS (5437)
 
Address:
Tyler Place Presbyterian Church
2109 S. Spring Street, 2nd Floor
St. Louis, MO  63110

Map:
map
Hours: 
11.25.11 - CLOSED
1st and 3rd Wednesday and every Saturday (except Holidays) from 9 a.m. to noon

The Last Annual Family Ties

November 26th, 2011  

Don't miss this FINAL FREE night at the theater for foster/adoptive/relative families!

The production will be held at the James J. Eagan Civic Center (1 James J. Eagan Dr., Florissant, MO 63033) on November 26th at 6:30 p.m.  General admission with doors opening at 6 p.m.  This year's production is "Ramona Quimby."

Reservations are not necessary.

RQ4

Directions: 
- Hwy 270 to New Florissant Rd.
- Travel north on New Florissant Rd.
- Turn right on Parker, and follow one mile to the Civic Center     

Limited Tickets Available for

A Special Gathering with Antwone Fisher  

"A Special Gathering with Antwone Fisher" will be held November 20th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Brown Hall on the campus of Washington University.  Antwone Fisher is a former foster youth, New York Times best-selling author, and an award-winning Hollywood writer and producer. Antwone will briefly tell his story and accept questions from the audience.  Books will be available for purchase and autographing at the event.  Thanks to a gift from a generous funder, the Coalition is able to offer this event at $5 a person.  A continental breakfast is included.  Reservations MUST be made in advance. To purchase tickets, click here.  

Can You Help with Odd Jobs?

Volunteers Needed!    

The Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition is looking for handy volunteers who can help hang fixtures, fix broken racks, and help with other small fix-it projects.  We're very flexible - you can volunteer on a weekday, weeknight, or weekend.  We would be so grateful for any help you could provide!  To find out more, please contact Debra Smith at debrasmith@foster-adopt.org or 314.367.8373. 

[RE]FRESH This Week  

20% OFF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE!
HURRY!  Offer ends Sunday, November 20th
Click here to print a coupon for 50% OFF any one item.  One coupon per person.
 

 Click here  for important discount procedures for youth in foster care and foster/adoptive/kinship families.    

 

Get the scoop.  Contact Jessi at 800.FOSTER.3 to receive weekly emails all about [RE]FRESH.               

refresh logo small  

FREE Support Groups for Parents and Older Youth   

Support Groups Free to Foster and Adoptive Families 

11.17.11 / 6 to 8 p.m.

Dinner and childcare provided.  Support groups are held in the Foster & Adoption Resource Center (1750 S. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 210, St. Louis, MO 63144).  You must register to attend. 

To register, contact Nickie Steinhoff at 314.367.8373 x2235.

 

24-Hour Crisis Intervention 

The Coalition offers 24-Hour access to Crisis Intervention for pre- and post- guardianship/adoptive families in St. Louis County.  For immediate assistance, call Dawn Milburn, Director of Crisis Intervention at 314.614.2342.  

Fostering Financial Success Workshop - 12.10.11 

The Coalition hosts monthly Financial Literacy and Job Preparation Workshops for older youth (at least 15 years of age) to increase their ability to make informed financial decisions, create a savings plan, and prepare for future employment. Community mentors will be present at the workshops to assist in setting financial, educational, and career goals.  The next workshop will be held December 10th from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration required. Contact Nickie at 314.367.8373.  

Community Calendar

Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights
11.18.11 / 5 p.m. 
Downtown
Cost: FREE
Special celebrity guests and Santa Claus will attend this festive tree-lighting event and celebrate the holiday season with a huge fireworks display featuring the Old Courthouse and The Gateway Arch as a backdrop. More information: www.christmasinstlouis.org
 
Fossil Hunt for Kids at Greensfelder Park
10.19.11 / 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Greensfelder Park
Cost: $3 per person
Kids ages 7 to 14 can go hunting for fossils with a park naturalists and explore the ancient life found in the rocks of Greensfelder Park. After a 20-minute class in the Visitor's Center studying fossils, kids will go on a walk in the park to search for fossils. Advance registration is required. $3 per person.
More information: www.stlouisco.com/parksandrecreation or 314.615.8472

26th Annual Winter Wonderland
11.23.11 - 01.01.11
Tilles Park
Cost: Varies
Slowly meander one mile through over a million twinkling lights fashioned into over 30 display areas of favorite characters and festive scenes as well as a canopy of lights glistening throughout 75 acres.
More information: 314.615.7275 or www.stlouisco.com/parksandrecreation

Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade
11.24.11 / 8:45 a.m. 
Downtown St. Louis
Cost: FREE
The parade starts at North 4th Street and Washington Avenue and concludes at 14th Street. 
Downtown St. Louis.
More information: www.christmasinstlouis.org

Christmas Wonderland 2011
11.25.11  / 6 to 9 p.m.
Rock Spring Park in Alton, IL
Cost: Suggested donation of $7 for cars
Start your holiday cheer with an illuminating drive through Christmas Wonderland 2011 holiday light display. The "Grandpa Gang" works diligently each year to light Rock Spring Park with 3 million twinkling lights. Enjoy lights of cascading waterfalls, tunnels and a few Alton greats. 
More information: www.visitalton.com or 618.465.6676

Shaw Park Ice Rinks Opens for the Season
11.25.11  / Friday: 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Extra 
Shaw Park Ice Rink (231 S. Brentwood Blvd., Clayton, MO 63105)
Cost:  Admission varies from $3 to $7 per person and certain days are FREE
One of the few remaining outdoor ice rinks in the St Louis metro area, Shaw Park Ice Rink still charms visitors with its vintage design against the backdrop of the downtown Clayton skyline and the long standing oak trees in Shaw Park. This year Clayton Parks and Recreation invites you to continue the long standing tradition of ice skating in Shaw Park. Special events this year include the free Skate with Frosty on Friday, December 2, New Year's Eve Skate, and 50th Anniversary Celebration on February 20. The rink is also hosts adult hockey leagues and Stick and Puck sessions.
More information: www.claytonmo.gov/rink or 314.290.8595
 
U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo
11.26.11 / 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
St. Louis Zoo
Cost: $5; children under 2 are FREE
Walk through the Zoo's holiday wonderland of spectacular light displays. Other activities include storytelling, live performances by local choirs on select nights, crafts and more. Free parking will be provided on the Zoo's South Parking Lot.
More information: www.stlzoo.org or 314.781.0900

Community Resources

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is partnering with two St. Louis area not-for-profit organizations to administer the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program in metropolitan St. Louis and the City of Wellston for the federal fiscal year 2012, which began October 1st.  Click here to read more.

Gateway Madness Trip to New Orleans
Join the Gateway Foster & Adoptive Care Association for some NBA basketball, great food, and much more.  For rates, dates, and more information, click here. 

Thanksgiving Food Distribution from the Urban League
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will offer their Thanksgiving food distribution program on Tuesday, November 22nd. The distribution will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 3 p.m. For the St. Louis City site location (3701 Grandel Square, 63108), call 314.615.3600. For the St. Louis County site (8960 Jennings Station Rd., 63136), call 314.388.9840. Attendees will need to provide Social Security Cards for all household members, Photo I.D., proof in all income, and proof of St. Louis City/St.Louis County residency.  For information, click here.