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A Family for Every Child September 2011 |
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Jacob Briley Hoptowit Sandoval-Hildago Sigmon, Aaopted August 19, 2011, has had a long journey. Since the age of one, he has seen the inside of many foster homes. He has also been a victim of many forms of punishment. So much uncertainty and moving around has caused him to hate females and become very difficult to handle. He even lost his two front teeth because of it. Briley was living with no manners or hope.
We ended up meeting at Sheri's for a meal. It was through the suggestions of workers that I met Briley and Jessica, his worker, that day along with Briley's Aunt Ada. Briley showed his true self and could barely sit still. He definitely didn't like to listen, either.
Much has changed since then, and he actually says yes sir and no sir. He is doing well in school and has a strong teacher. He met old daycare workers who could see a huge difference in him. He was calmer and less angry.
His contact with Aunt Ada has continued with great success along with his new family. This does not mean that there have not been bumps in the road.
As Briley grew close to the adoption date, he got nervous and begun acting out. He has since calmed down. He has tons of support, and even though he has a host of medical issues (ADD, ADHD, ODD) he still isn't on any meds and no IEP. He can get bored easy, always needing some form of movement, but we continue to work on that. At times when he starts to ramp up and shake, my nephews come in handy with some good old fashioned boy play.
He is learning to play the guitar now, and will also be doing a public performance soon! He is very excited.
My family told me that since my kids were now gone I needed someone at home, and now I see that they were right. I came from a family of four where we were always busy. I am not so busy now, so Briley keeps things new and exciting! I do not deny there were moments of cold feet and fear, but my love for Briley overcame it. I enjoy his company, and although others have a hard time with his noises and constant motion, I take it in stride.
I love Briley and am encouraged and hopeful for a bright future with him. Soon the teen years will be here and they will provide their own challenges and enjoyments. Best of all, he will grow up knowing he has a dad, and that I have a son to love named Briley.
Scott
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REGISTER NOW
Winter Wonderland is a Silent and Oral Auction/Dinner.
Date: November 3rd at Valley River Inn
In 2010 over 200 people attended! We hope to have 300+ this year!
This event is critical to the overall support of our programs.
We would love to have your contributions for our Wine Wall and/or Dessert Dash for the event. We have already begun to plan and collect.
REGISTER NOW
Needs:
- 100+ wine bottles with a value of 25 dollars or more
- 40 desserts that feed 8 people
- Silent/Oral auction items. Gift Cards to restaurants, Hotels, Movie Theaters, Spas, Nail Salons, Golf Courses, Sporting Events (Mariners tickets etc), Theater Tickets etc in any areas in Oregon-Most needed in the Eugene area.
- Volunteers. From Eugene, but it would also to be great to have anyone from Portland, Bend, Medford, or the Oregon Coast.
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Check out our web site, new internship positions posted!
Earn college credit while learning valuable employer requested skills and experience.
Intern/Volunteers are needed to help reconnect foster children with those they love and those who have loved them.The Family Finding model offers methods and strategies to locate and engage relatives of children living in foster care. The goal of Family Finding is to provide each child with the lifelong connections that only a family can offer. If you like playing detective, than this is the position for you! Most roles can be performed anywhere; nationwide. All training is provided for local and nationwide volunteers.
Venue Volunteers- Program (Heart Gallery) Local, WA & OR: Would you enjoy driving around town and spending just a few hours a month going to our venues and swapping out photographs of children? You may have seen these around the area (if you reside in Oregon). We display photos of available and waiting children with bio information in restaurants, doctors and dentist's offices, airports, grocery stores and the like. All photos and needs are supplied by our organization. This basically consists of picking up your new photos, going to the venue and updating the displays.
Heart Gallery Local Coordinator: We are looking for a Volunteer Heart Gallery Coordinator to work from our Eugene/Springfield office. The Heart Gallery is a portrait exhibit displayed to raise awareness of the needs of foster children who are waiting and hoping for their own adoptive family to love and protect them. Professional photographers volunteer to take compelling portraits and these beautifully framed and matted portraits get displayed along with the children's biographies in various venues that will touch your heart.
We are looking for a volunteer Heart Gallery Coordinator to work with our Heart Gallery Director. This will involve:
-Monthly portrait orders
-Putting together update (image & bio) packets for our volunteer to pick up and update their venues
-Some outreach to new venues
-Coordinating venue volunteers
-Being part of our team to grow and brainstorm new ways to create visibility for the Heart Gallery.
This position is 5-10 hours a week depending on the time of month (the beginning of the month and/or last week of the month are when most update work is done). We hope you will consider joining our Team! The Heart Gallery is our Landmark program and we are very proud of what has been done and hope to do much more!
Are you a retired Private detective, with a heart for children and a commitment to Family connections? We need you and your skills to help reconnect foster children that desperately need to know who their family is. Who loved them and who they have loved! christy@afamilyforeverychild.org
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It Takes a Village and We Need You!
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How can you contact A Family For Every Child?
Call, email, or visit us online or in person!
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Adoptions Foundations Training
Don't forget to sign up! September is right around the corner!
Dates:
Sept 23, 2011 (3pm-9)
Sept 24, 2011 (8am-5)
Sept 25, 2011 (8am-5)
Fees: Free
Address: The Hilton Garden, 3528 Gateway Street, Springfield, OR 97477
A Family For Every Child will be holding a weekend special needs adoption "Foundations Training" Sept. 23, 24 and 25 in the Eugene area. Location to be announced later. (Note: This class meets the minimum requirements for Oregon "Foundations Training")
This class is open to all families pursuing foster care or adoption of a child or children from state custody who reside in Oregon.
Space is limited. Reservations required.
For more information, click here---
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Thank-You to The Garden Way Church!
They recently held a "You Deserve A Break" event for our foster families. It was a very successful evening and it was much appreciated! Thank-You!
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Donate to AFFEC
Would you like to contribute to AFFEC's cause for helping children? Any amount can have a lasting impact on a child. Click below:
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880 Beltline Rd.
