Angels Foster Family Network September Newsletter

August 6: Last week one of our families said yes to a tiny challenge- a little girl born very prematurely. These Angels parents have taken on loads of extra appointments, special care and the huge need this baby has for love and attention. Her life so far has been spent in the NICU, but now she is home with this family who is ready to lavish her with the snuggles she deserves. A gigantic thank you to the wonderful nurses who gave her special attention and fostered her growth so far. With your help she is truly a little miracle.

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August 2012: 5 Babies Placed, 12 Babies Turned Away
Angels found outstanding families for 5 babies in the month of August. Regrettably, 12 more calls were received and we had no homes available.

Imagine the difference you could make
for one of those 12 babies.
Become a part of the Angels Family- Inquire today!

Thank you to all the San Diego families who have
transformed the lives of our babies.

A letter from our Executive Director:

Hello Angels Friends,

Before I sat down to write this greeting, I took a look at our Angels blackboard, the place where the social workers list all babies referred to us in desperate need of families.

Referral 881, Baby Girl Jane Doe -mother surrendered at the hospital; Referral 882, 6 mo. old girl -severe neglect/failure to thrive; Referral 883, 22 mo. old boy ingested methamphetamine, and Referral 884, 15 mo. old girl, broken arm and cracked ribs Referral 885, 3 mo. old girl, infant sister of 884. These represent just five of the hundreds of babies who enter foster care in San Diego every year! For the lucky ones that Angels was able to place, their journey to healing has begun. For the others, along with hundreds of other innocent babies, their fates remain unknown.

We have expanded our family outreach, our foster parent applications have doubled and we offer more trainings, all in a concentrated effort to provide more families for babies in crisis. We thank all of our Angels families and those of you who provide support. Please don't stop! The increase in child abuse is alarming and with your continued support we will never stop working to find them all healing homes!

This is why our annual fundraising event on October 12th is so important.

I hope to see many of you there to join our keynote speaker, Antwone Fisher. As we celebrate 543 babies rescued, we wait for the day every baby in San Diego is safe and loved. We promise you an evening you won't forget!

Warmly,

Cathy Richman

Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring keynote speaker:

Antwone Fisher
UCLA professor, best-selling author and screenwriter.
A unique silent auction and reception followed by dinner,
our inspiring program, and exclusive live auction.

Diary of a Foster Mom: Questions, Questions, Questions

"How long have you had her?"
This answer is getting harder to give because "Baby Girl" feels like our daughter. No one ever asks you that when you are carrying around your biological child. They ask how old and immediately begin awe-ing away. She turns three months old this week and time is fast forwarding here on Orangewood Street.

Click here to continue reading.

Ask Dr. Mama

Dr. Mama is better known as Rachel Zahn, MD, a pediatrician and mom of three grown kids. She is also the Angels Associate Director. She is always available to our foster parents for support and answers to any health questions you might have. For more parenting advice check out her website MamasOnCall.com.

Hi Dr. Mama,

I'm in my 36th week of the longest pregnancy on record -- at least it seems like it, and my partner and I are butting heads on the subject of circumcision. We've known we're having a boy since the second trimester and it's been 'game on' ever since.

My dad and three brothers were all circumcised, and I always assumed if I had a son he would be, too. My partner is Latino and he's uncircumcised and pretty emotional on the topic. Whenever I bring it up he says he doesn't want his son to be mutilated (like I do?) and it would be wrong to do it. Besides, he doesn't want our baby to look different from him.

I'm trying to stay objective and stick to the facts, but it seems like lately I've read more medical evidence pro than con. Can you help me out here? How can I convince him that we should go ahead and circumcise? If we don't do it I'll worry that he's more likely to get all kinds of nasty infections. Don't you agree?

Impatient in Imperial Beach

Read the answer here

Read previous Dr. Mama questions or e-mail Rachel a question.

Did You Know?

The effects of psychological and emotional abuse are profound in the first three years of life, according to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Rapid growth of the child's brain is taking place and early parenting determines the child's ability to attach to those caregivers and engage in future relationships. Maltreatment at this age has been associated with adult mental illness and other disorders.

Read the entire article here.

Seeking Event Volunteers

If you have been looking for a way to donate your time to our mission, now is your chance! Join our committed group of volunteers on October 12th for An Evening with Angels. We are looking for friendly people who can assist at registration and check-out as we raise the funds needed to rescue our babies.
Please email lhogg@angelsfoster.org to sign up!

Thank You Corner

Angels is thankful for the donations of our valued friends. Without your generosity we could not provide the stable love and care that promotes healthy childhood development for San Diego children in need.

Thank you to all our generous August donors!

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.