Angels Foster Family Network January Newsletter

Happy New Year to all our Angels families, friends, donors and staff! As we look back over 2010 we want to express our gratitude to everyone who joined forces to help us reach our many goals. We have added 3 new staff members to our team, all of them invested in helping us rescue more babies who cry out for help!

Fostering a baby who has no family or home to call their own is one of the finest gifts you can give a child. Closing the door to a baby who needs an Angels home is never easy and yet we still turn away babies in need because our families are full!

Make 2011 the year you join the Angels team by either fostering a baby, volunteering, or making a financial donation to help support our cause. There simply is no price tag we can put on the importance of a loving, nurturing family for an innocent baby, battered, neglected and/or abandoned who simply needs to be loved!

Happy New Year!

Cathy Richman

Founder/Executive Director

Ask Dr. Mama

Dr. Mama is better known as Rachel Zahn, MD, a pediatrician and local mom of three kids, ages 23, 21, and 16. All three were born during her medical training, earning her the title. After three years on the Angels Board she has joined the Staff as our Assistant Director.

Dr. Mama also has her own website MamasOnCall.com. Check it out!

Here is the January Dr. Mama question:

Dear Dr. Mama,

My 14-month-old weighs 23 lbs. and is a healthy, happy toddler. My question is about how much vitamin D she should be getting, both in her diet and with supplements.

I've read about the benefits of higher amounts of D during cold and flu season to help support immunity, and also that most children don't get enough from their regular diets. Then recently I've heard that TOO much can be dangerous. I'm so confused! What's the right amount? I don't want to cause her harm.

Wondering in Westview

Read the answer here

Read previous Dr. Mama questions or submit a question

Angels R Us says THANK YOU!

This holiday season we were so lucky to be the benefactors of many baby toy, clothes and diaper drives! Each year we depend on donations to restock our "baby room" so we can make sure every baby goes home with diapers, wipes, blankets, clothes and toys. Our toy collection helps us make every birthday and adoption special for each of our Angels. Thank you to everyone who donated goods to Angels this year!
If you are interested in leading a toy or baby drive in 2011 contact Rachel Zahn at rzahn@angelsfoster.org.

Foster Parent Spotlight- Ray and Anna

rayannadisney

My husband, my eight year old son and I have been fortunate to foster four children in the last year and a half. Three of the children came to our home due to domestic violence between young parents. We have had three little girls ranging from birth to four months and we currently are caring for a 22 month old little boy. Our first little girl came to us with virtually ever bone being broken or in some stage of healing at the tender age of four months.

Click here to read the rest of their story.

Did you Know?

Did you know foster care in California now serves youth up to 21 years of age? This change will allow teens to stay in foster care placement if they are working or in school part-time until they are 21, instead of being forced out of care and homes at 18. According to the National Center for Youth Law "this expansion is in response to mounting evidence that extending care to age 21 leads to better outcomes for foster youth in areas such as educational achievement, earning potential, and housing stability." While the little ones we serve at Angels will be in forever homes well before their 18th birthday, this kind of reform and awareness is always a good step for foster youth.

Las Damas de Fairbanks Fundraiser Event

After the holidays, we have a wonderful way to refresh at the Las Damas de Fairbanks upcoming health and beauty fundraiser to benefit Angels. A wide range of vendors will be at the Expo, and each will offer a service (free or for a nominal charge), as well as sell products and discount certificates at this energizing event! There will be a silent auction and raffle items, as well as goodie bags for the first 75 attendees. If you'd like to attend, please rsvp to the event link and share with your friends.

Las Damas Health and Beauty Expo to benefit Angels Foster Family Network

Location: Fairbanks Ranch Club House, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Time: 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 20th

Thank You Corner

Angels is very grateful for the donations we receive every month. Without the generosity of our friends we wouldn't be able to save innocent babies in need. We would like to thank our December donors! Click here to see all our generous donors from December!

Angels Video

To learn more about Angels, please watch this video.

Call 619-283-8100 or contact us on-line at www.angelsfoster.org to learn how you can make a donation or become a foster parent.

Angels only places babies in San Diego County, California.