May 2015
 news and notes

Alex Wright   Danny Flanigan   Craig Wagner
A Night of Music
 to benefit Family Ark 
Family Ark is thrilled to announce that they will be hosting a music benefit to support their work with children and families in Southern Indiana. A Night of Music is scheduled for 7:00-10:00 pm, June 26th at 300 Spring in Jeffersonville, Indiana! This great venue features a cash bar and lots of open space to hear Alex Wright (LMA, Singer/Songwriter of the Year), Danny Flanigan (veteran singer-songwriter and staple of the regional music scene), and Craig Wagner (LMA Jazz Artist of the Year). Silent auction items will be available along with snacks. Suggested donation for the event is $10. To find out more, call (812) 288-6800 or email. Don't miss out on this night of great music and fun within walking distance of the Big Four Bridge! 
Family Ark Celebrates National Foster Care Month!
Randell and Rhonda Klingsmith - awarded the 2015 Frieda Shouse Award
for Foster Parenting Excellence
On May 16th, Family Ark celebrated National Foster Care Month by hosting an indoor lunch for parents and children in our foster care program. Everyone feasted on picnic food while talking and enjoying the festivities! All foster parents received certificates honoring their individual talents and accomplishments. This year's Frieda Shouse Award for Foster Parenting Excellence went to Randell and Rhonda Klingsmith. Congratulations to the Klingsmiths and to all our foster parents!    
Family Ark at JEFF Fest on June 6th!
Join Family Ark at JEFF Fest in Jeffersonville on June 6th from 11:00-4:00 pm. This year's event has moved to the new Big Four Station at the foot of the Big Four Bridge! There are lots of activities for adults and children including a farmer's market, plant sale, free kids' games, art show and local food and music. Come by our booth and say hello!
2015 Virginia Walker Memorial Scholarship Announced
During the May Board of Directors meeting, Family Ark presented the 2015 Virginia Walker Memorial Scholarship to Leonard Kwitonda, a student studying international business at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Each year, Family Ark awards scholarships to children who are current or previous clients of the agency. Since 2001, the Virginia Walker Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in memory of Virginia Walker, an agency foster parent, has awarded more than $65,000 to students of varying ages.  
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
Are you a caring adult with a heart for children? We want to talk with you! Family Ark is looking for foster parents to help children (birth to age 18) who have experienced abuse, neglect or other trauma. Who are foster parents? Foster parents are individuals or couples aged 21 or older. Some have raised or are currently raising children, and others have never raised children. They come from all walks of life, various income levels and careers, different educational backgrounds, and are diverse in many ways. All share a desire to have a positive impact on the life of a child. This could be you! For more information, email or call (812) 288-6800.  
Indiana Heart Gallery
From the Indiana Department of Child Services website:
The Indiana Heart Gallery is a traveling photographic exhibit featuring children in foster care who need and deserve a safe and loving home. The gallery showcases remarkable professional portraits of and stories about foster children in Indiana - all of whom long for loving and safe homes. The dramatic photos put a face on a sometimes invisible need and remind families that adoption can change lives. The Indiana Heart Gallery was created by the Indiana Department of Child Services in 2007 as one way to help these incredible children share their stories and hope of joining a family and encourage families to adopt. Many of the foster children featured in the gallery are older or special needs children, minorities, or members of a sibling group. All are considered hard-to-place children. Our goal is to keep the Heart Gallery moving until all of the children are adopted!  
We Need a Few Good Volunteers!

Do you have a few hours to volunteer? Or, do you have a team or group looking to work together on a volunteer project? Family Ark has diverse volunteer activities available including landscaping, gardening, or other outdoor work. We also have projects in our in-house commissary for folks who are skillful at displaying and marketing items. Call us at (812) 288-6800 or email to find out more!