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Dear Friends:  We are all celebrating the 300th placement we made last week! When I look back over the past 10 years, it seems like only yesterday that we placed our 1st baby, Jeremy! Since then, it is only through the support of our wonderful friends, and our incredible foster parents that we celebrate this momentous occasion. But Baby No. 300 isn't just a number, she isn't just another child we tally up along with the other 299 babies placed thus far. Baby No. 300 is a special child whom we all celebrate. She was received into the arms of her foster parents directly from the hospital at 3 days old. She trembles from the agony of withdrawals her little body must ward off from her exposure in the womb to toxic drugs. She grieves the loss of the mother who gave her life and who sustained her for the first 9 months. She is now safe from further harm. She can heal and be exposed to all the wonders and beauty each human being should experience in their first few weeks of life. She is a beautiful little soul who matters, who is heard when she cries and who is adored and cherished. Baby No. 300 represents all babies who fall victim to the foster care system, but are rescued by Angels and carefully matched with a loving family. I thank Baby No. 300 for raising the awareness of her needs, and the needs of all foster babies. I celebrate her life, along with the other 299 lives we have touched in the past 10 years. I invite you to learn more about the Angels mission and how you too might help us help more babies in need. Congratulations Angels, and thank you all for your love and support. Click here to make a donation now.
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| Babies Rescued |
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Since Angels was founded in 1999, we have rescued 305 babies from abuse and neglect.
Our goal for 2009 is to place 65 babies in loving homes. So far this year we have rescued 20 babies. | |
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| Angels Places 300th Baby |
 Angels reached a big milestone by placing their 300th baby!
Pictured (right to left) Angels Board Members: Ann Desmond, Lorie Zapf, Linda Dealy, Estha Trouw, Founder, Cathy Richman and Rachel Zahn, MD (also known as Dr. Mommy)
Pictured below - Angels foster parents with the 300th placement
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Ask Dr. Mommy |
 Please read Dr. Mommy's question:
Dear Dr. Mommy,
Our Angels baby has been with us since he was a week old, and he's now just over a year. My wife and I have no other children and we feel just like he's our own. Maybe it's because we're new at this, but we're VERY worried about this swine flu, and need to know what we can do to protect our little guy. His biological parents are Latino - does that make him more susceptible? What precautions can we take? What symptoms should we look for?
Anxious in Alpine
Read the answer here
Read previous Dr. Mommy questions or submit a question
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| Foster Parent Spotlight |
Angels Foster Parent, Brandy Sloaterman, was able to officially adopt Alex on April 09, 2009. Brandy and Alex are smiling so big because this picture was taken right after the adoption became final.
Brandy fostered Alex for over 2 years while working on reunification with Alex's birth mother. Unfortunately, Alex's birth mother was unable to get Alex back in her custody. Over the two year period Brandy established a very unique mentoring relationship with Alex's young birth mother. Brandy quickly became a positive, supportive person in this young woman's life, who had never experienced this type of relationship before.
Despite the fact that reunification efforts failed, Brandy has ensured Alex's birth mother that she will be involved in Alex's life. Even though it is very difficult for Alex's birth mother to let go of her child, she knows this is the right decision for Alex.
Alex's birth mother was present at his adoption, supporting and celebrating with Brandy and Alex!
Congratulations to Brandy and Alex Sloatermen! |
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May is National Foster Care Month |
National Foster Care Month originated in 1988 when the National Foster Parent Association persuaded then Senator, Strom Thurmond, to introduce a resolution to proclaim May as National Foster Care Month. President George H.W. Bush issued an annual proclamation during each year of his presidency focusing on appreciation and recognition of the tremendous contributions of foster parents across the nation.
Did you know that 32% of children in foster care are under the age of 5
Of children in the foster care system:
- 54% will earn a high school diploma
- 2% will obtain a Bachelor's degree or higher
- 84% will become a parent
- 51% were unemployed
- 30% had no health insurance
- 25% have been homeless
- 30% were receiving public assistance
If nothing changes in the United States between now and the year 2020:
- Nearly 11 million children confirmed cases of abuse and neglect will be reported
- 18,000 children will die of abuse or neglect
- 7.2 million children will experience the foster care system
In honor of Foster Care Month, Angels would like to say Thank You to all Angels Foster Parents, both past and present, who have combined and touched the lives of 302 foster children. It is only through Angels foster parents' passion, dedication and special desire to love, that Angels has succeeded. Angels truly has "top-notch" foster families who are willing to step up to do the self-less, sometimes thank-less and tiresome job of parenting some of the most vulnerable of foster children. Despite the outcome of each placement, Angels foster parents know they have truly made a difference in their Angels baby's life. All of us at Angels cannot thank or honor our special group of foster parents enough. Here's to all of you!
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| Thank You Corner |
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Angels would like to thank the following people for their recent generous donations:
Carol Yetter and Debra Yang
Jenny Mean
Lauren Wanner
Any Kangleon
Laurie Bleakley
Isa Evonsion
Kathee Christensen
Chevron Humankind Matching
San Diego Social Venture Partners
James and Kathleen Kaiser
Edward Couch
David and Catherine Schaetzel
Christian Family Movement
Myra Glassman
Martin and Helena Hussey
Kendra Keating
Lisa Gatcomb
Michael and Tracy Boyd
Ramona Izguerra |
| Save The Date |
Save the date! The Angels Luncheon will be on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at the beautiful Estancia Hotel. To be added to our invitation list, please send an email to paige@angelsfoster.com. Sponsorship packages available. For more information, call 619-283-8100 ext 225. | |
