Happy New Year from Angels...
Not only do we wish you a Happy New Year, we are asking you to wish US a Happy Anniversary!  As we enter 2016, Angels Foster Care begins a year-long celebration of our 10th Anniversary serving foster babies and toddlers in Santa Barbara County and we also anticipate welcoming our 200th child in the first half of this year.  
 
10 years and 200 children doesn't happen single-handedly or without a lot of determination, enthusiasm, and support. Last night was our first night of foster parent training in 2016. I watched couples willing to open their hearts to children in need begin their journey and I thought about the families that have gone before them these past 10 years. To start with one family and one child in 2006 and to be here now is amazing!  
 
So, our anniversary comes as an opportunity to celebrate the many wonderful children we have helped in foster care, the incredible families that love them, the numerous volunteers and board members who have guided and supported our organization, the generous and supportive foundations and funders who make our vision for foster care possible with their contributions, and everyone over the years who has helped to spread our message.  

We intend to showcase many of these people during the year on our website, in regular updates to you, on our Facebook page, and in partnership with our local media. Please be on the lookout for these stories--no doubt, you will be inspired!  We hope the celebration of this milestone builds on our strong foundation so in the NEXT 10 years Angels Foster Care will serve even more children and families through foster care and adoption.  

Thank you for being a part of our story.  

Sincerely,
Jennifer Mills, LCSW
Angels Foster Care  
The Davenports

Angels is very grateful to the Davenport family for being Angels Foster Care's first foster family! Alan and Claudia Davenport became foster parents in October 2006 when they accepted placement of a one-year-old girl. Though there were many ups and downs, they remained committed and helped their young foster daughter successfully transition when she was eventually reunited with her birth mother.

Claudia recalled, "We wanted a second child, but over time we became committed to the idea that we should foster regardless of the outcome. It became clear that this was the path in front of us."

A short time later the family accepted placement of a newborn girl, Lola, who joined the family and became a sister to their son, Jackson. After 2 ½ years in care, Lola was adopted by the Davenports in 2009. 

Now almost nine years old, Lola is bright, empathetic, perceptive, and makes friends easily. She loves to read, enjoys school (particularly the natural sciences) and is a member of 4H. She loves all forms of dance (ballet, tap, flamenco and especially hip hop).  She would like to become a marine mammal vet when she grows up.

When reflecting back on her fostering experience with Angels, Claudia adds, "The most meaningful part has been connecting with the babies. Taking care of them, seeing them respond, and falling in love with them for their unique selves." 

Thank you to the Davenports for their years of service!

The Davenport family: (back row) Jackson, Claudia and Alan. Front: Lola and her dog Holly. 
A number of Angels families finalized adoptions in December and we're so happy that the gift of a forever family became a reality for several Angels children during the holiday season! We mentioned five families who had adopted at press-time last month. Today we would like to congratulate Jennifer & Adam of South Santa Barbara County who welcomed daughter Adie, and Ashley, Jason, Eva, Madison & Anastasia of South Santa Barbara County for their mid-December adoption of Austin!

Congratulations also to Walter & Cynthia of North Santa Barbara County for their recent placement of a baby girl.  

Angels would like to recognize the amazing efforts of Chrystal & Kevin of South Santa Barbara County as our January Foster Parents of the Month. We are very grateful for the time you spend as foster parents, and for the love and support you have given your Angels child! 


SAVE THE DATE
Empowered to Connect Conference in a LIVE SIMULCAST
April 8-9, 2016
Hosted by Calvary Chapel of Santa Barbara
The  two-day conference will feature researchers from Texas Christian University and experts in the field of research-based interventions for children from hard places, led by Dr. Karyn Purvis. It will be an invaluable experience for professionals & families alike who seek to provide hope and healing to children who have been adopted or are fostered. More details to follow.


5th Annual Al Fresco Afternoon 
on the Riviera
Friday, April 29, 11am
Four Seasons Biltmore
Please join us for our annual luncheon set in the exquisite gardens of the Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara. Shop in the Angels Marketplace filled with wonderful items for purchase ranging from jewelry, home goods, fashion accessories and florals. Enjoy the European-inspired luncheon served "alfresco" and beautiful table decor, music, floral arrangements and a fashion show featuring the latest spring trends. Bring your friends and celebrate National Foster Care month with us as we honor Angels families, volunteers and supporters. All proceeds from the event support the Angels Foster Care program. Tickets will go on sale in early March. For more information, please contact Ellen at ellen@angelsfostercare.org or (805) 884-0012.


Santa Maria Sunrisers Lions Club
5th Annual Nate Lipscomb Memorial Golf Tournament
Saturday, June 18th 2016 10 am
Monarch Dunes Golf Course
Join golfers from around the Central Coast in a fun day on a beautiful course for a chance to win prizes and awards AND know you are supporting Angels Foster Care.  Proceeds from this tournament will be donated to Angels Foster Care.  SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are available.  If you or your business would like to participate as a sponsor--foursomes are included in most sponsorship levels--contact Kelly White O'Neill. To sign up as a single golfer or to register a foursome visit the events Facebook page http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/santams/projects.php.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
Your generosity was amazing during the holiday season!  We recieved a number of donations, both online and via the mail, totalling $11,500.00! Your help is so vital to ensuring we have the funds we need to provide quality foster care to so many children. With this wonderful year-end windfall, we were able to surpass our annual budget goal for individual gifts.  Thanks again for thinking of our Angel babies and Angel families during the holidays.

Sincerely,
Meichelle Arntz 
Executive Director

P.S. If you would like to celebrate our 10 year anniversary with us, why not consider making a donation in honor of this wonderful milestone?  Click here to make a secure, online donation.  


ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN.  Support Angels far into the future and provide financial stability to the agency as the fund grows and pays out profits annually to support Angels' work. Our goal in 2015-2016 is to bring in $50,000 to qualify us for matching funds. Make a personal contribution, have your business
donate a portion of sales or host a small gathering to secure further contributions.Contact Executive Director 
Meichelle Arntz to get started!

FOUNDATION NEWS. Thank you to following foundations for their end-of-the-year grant awards: The Mark and Dorothy Smith Foundation ($10,000), Roy & Ida Eagle Foundation ($20,000), Herbert & Gertrude Latkin Charitable Foundation ($5,000), Hazen Family Foundation ($10,000), Sangham Foundation ($2,500) and Montecito Bank & Trust Community Dividends ($5,000) and Schlinger Family Foundation ($6,000). With these gifts in December we met our annual fundraising goal for 2015.  
Two car loads of essential baby and toddler supplies were donated to Child Welfare Services for foster youth who are parenting their own young children.  
Thank you to everyone who donated!
ANGELS/SBCWS BABY GIFT DRIVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our drive by providing baby items and gifts to Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services foster youth who are parenting their own children. We provided two carloads of baby supplies!

LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING CENTER BABY GIFT DRIVE
Many thanks to our friends at Lindamood-Bell Learning Center for a donation of infant clothing, diapers, swaddling blankets and baby books as a result of their holiday drive for Angels.

SANTA MARIA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB DONATION
Special thanks and recognition must be given to the young people in the Santa Maria Boys and Girls Club's Torch Club who presented Angels with a $200.00 holiday donation. The Club voted to donate the proceeds from their own fundraising efforts to our organization and we couldn't be more touched or impressed with the hard work and compassion of these young people.  The Santa Maria Boys and Girls Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year and has made a difference in the lives of thousands of young people in Santa Maria.


Visit our web site for full details on requirements, training, support and adoption. Now is a great time to begin the process in order to take advantage of our January Foster Parent Training Series. Note that pre-screening and certain paperwork are required before prospective foster parents may enroll in parent training classes. Please contact Angels as soon as you are ready to begin the process. 

If you can't foster, please consider a  donation.
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