November 2015
 news and notes
Giving Thanks
November is the month for giving thanks. At Family Ark, we are thankful for our donors, large and small, and their continued giving to programs for children and families.  We are grateful to our Board and our staff who dedicate themselves to our mission. We give thanks to our foster parents who bring hope, compassion and patience to children who have experienced neglect, abuse or other trauma. For all of this and more, we are thankful.    
 
Family Ark Behavioral Health Center Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting for our new Behavioral Health Center on October 26th was a big success! Thanks to everyone for stopping by and sharing in our excitement. A special thank you to Mayor Mike Moore for officiating!
Trivia Night Success!
Family Ark's Friday the 13th Trivia Night Fundraiser, at Wick's Pizza in New Albany,  was a rousing success! Thanks to Ben Rodway from Lincoln Crum's Auctions for expertly emceeing our evening! Twelve teams competed for the championship with Trivia Knights bringing home the trophies! Thanks to all the teams who participated in the fun and camaraderie of the evening. Your contributions supported Family Ark's child and family programs.

We're grateful to our generous sponsors - Wick's Pizza, Applebee's, Tony BoomBozz, Longhorn Steakhouse, Papa John's, Chuy's, Olive Garden, Rocky's, Meijer, Cluckers, Bass Pro and Texas Roadhouse! We appreciate you!
Trivia Knights - Family Ark's 2015 Trivia Champion!
A Story of Hope
Photo courtesy of Extol Magazine and extolmag.com
The following is excerpted from a presentation by Kim O'Meara, a former Family Ark client who was the inspiring speaker at Family Ark's Giving Hope to Families event. Kim's story of hope and success is truly a testament to her foster mom, her therapist, and her own determination and positive spirit.

"I had an amazing home based coordinator who guided me onto the path to college and taught me independent living skills. She also helped me believe I could do things for myself and helped me get an internship with Family Ark (formerly Regional Youth Services) while I was attending college. It was an amazing experience to intern at the place where I had previously received services. My therapist at Family Ark was awesome. She truly was one of the biggest impacts on my life. She was actually the person who helped me apply for the Virginia Walker Memorial Scholarship. I applied a total of five times and I received that scholarship for my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I graduated with my undergrad degree in Psychology and later that year, became pregnant with my amazing daughter, Kaylei. I knew that with God all things are possible, so I went ahead and applied to graduate school and I graduated in 2014. I also got married to my husband on April 26th of 2014! If someone you come across or a loved one is about to give up, you could be that person to give them the glimmer of hope they need. If they get that glimmer of hope, they just might get up and try again."
November - National Adoption Month 2015
About the 2015 Initiative from the Child Welfare website -
This year, National Adoption Month focuses on the adoption of older youth currently in foster care-because "We Never Outgrow the Need for Family." This theme calls attention to our nation's population of older youth in foster care who need loving, permanent families. Youth ages 15 to 18 make up 5 percent of the foster care population - 84,778 youth. Creating lifelong connections for these young people is critical in helping them prepare for successful adulthood.
Click here to find out more on the Child Welfare site or contact Laura Keeney at Family Ark.                                                    
       
December 1st is Giving Tuesday!
From the Giving Tuesday website
 
Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources.


We hope you consider Family Ark in your giving plans this year. Give online or mail your donation to Family Ark, 101 Noah's Lane, Jeffersonville, Indiana  47130.
Your donation supports critical child and family programs.

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Family Ark Staff Highlight
Meet Tabbatha Harrison, the new Office Manager for Family Ark's Behavioral Health Center! Before coming to Family Ark, Tabbatha was employed for more than 7 years at  Wellstone Regional Hospital where she did intake, scheduling, and the switchboard. She is a graduate of Clarksville High School, is married and has two daughters - a five year-old and a 10 year-old. She currently lives in Clarksville and is a member of the Army National Guard FRG Program. This program provides assistance to any family that may need it before, during, and after deployment. Family Ark extends a big welcome to Tabbatha! 
www.thefamilyark.org      812.288.6800