Child S.H.A.R.E. volunteers Jennifer Caruso and Diana Castellano will serve as guest bartenders at Damon’s, a popular restaurant and bar in downtown Glendale on Thursday, August 26th from 6-8pm.
A portion of the evening’s tips and all proceeds from the raffle items sold will be donated to Child S.H.A.R.E.
Mark your calendars and plan to come out and support Child S.H.A.R.E. Questions? Contact Amanda Turek at 818.649.8016 or at aturek@childshare.org.
Edmund Edelman Children’s Court was packed on the afternoon Friday, July 30th, 2010. Hundreds of parents, clad in their Sunday best lined up to enter the courthouse, eager to finalize the adoptions of already cherished members of their families.
At 2:00pm, in room 416, two year old Kimberly Ann became an official member of the Seaver family. A long standing Child S.H.A.R.E. family, the Kate and Matthew Seaver have already adopted 2 biological brothers, Christian and Jeremiah from foster care. The Seaver’s reopened their home to take in another child, Kimberly Ann Marie, when they learned that the biological mother of their sons had borne a third child.
As Referee Donna Levin read the formal legal charge of adoption to Kate and Matthew, there was not a dry eye in the courtroom packed with Seaver family and friends. The teary eyes in the room quickly crinkled and heads fell back with laughter as the newest member of the Seaver family interrupted the judge with loud and happy exclamations. Her young friend, a two year old boy sitting in the back corner of the room returned her remarks and soon the courtroom was filled with the irreverent yet delightful murmurings of two year olds.
Child S.H.A.R.E. joyfully celebrates the newest addition to the Seaver family and was honored to be present at the adoption ceremony.
Child S.H.A.R.E. and The Alliance for Children’s Rights are proud to announce upcoming seminars regarding Individual Education Plans (IEP). The seminars are open to all Child S.H.A.R.E. families in Los Angeles County and will provide families with valuable resources.
Topics will include:
*Identifying potential disabilities
*Requesting records and assessments through your child’s IEP (individualized education plan)
*Legal remedies and important rights that foster children have in the state of California (AB490)
Seminars will be presented on the following dates & locations in Los Angeles County:
Monday, August 9th | 7:00-9:00 p.m.
The Sanctuary
26444 Friendly Valley Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
*RSVP by Wednesday, August 4th
Thursday, August 26th | 7:00-9:00 p.m.
First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena
3700 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91107-1994
*RSVP by Friday, August 20th
NOTE: In order to provide the best training possible, seating is limited to 50 persons per seminar.
RSVP to: Andrew Henck
Director of Family Support
ahenck@childshare.org
818.649.8020
**Free childcare will be provided at each seminar. Please include names & ages of each child when you RSVP.
Like millions of Americans, this past weekend I took my daughters to see the soon-to-be children’s film classic Despicable Me. Hollywood and animated films in particular, regularly thread their plot lines with the issue of foster care and the plight of the orphan. Aladdin, The Rescuers, The Blindside, Meet the Robinsons and of course Annie to name just a few.
Reflecting upon this delightful film, I was struck by a basic question. Why do we, as a society, flock to films with such melancholy subject matter? The protagonists of the aforementioned films are adorably round faced, jovial and yet slightly unkempt children, think Penny of The Rescuers… And they are all abused, abandoned or orphaned by their biological parents. This is sad. Why is this something we want to see?
I believe we are drawn to the stories of abused children like Penny, Annie and Michael Oher because we can rest assured that a happy ending awaits them at the end of the 120 minute shows. Though desperate to be adopted at the start of the films, by the closing credits these characters will be welcomed into loving, even fabulously wealthy families.
As a seasoned advocate for foster children, I know that many American foster youth will not experience a Hollywood “happy ending” of adoption. In fact, the 20,000 youth who emancipate each year from the foster care system at the age of 18 leave with little support, few financial resources and no significant guidance by which they could hope to become successful. Within 2 years, many of these teens will endure homelessness, incarceration and even death. The hardships and heart wrenching experiences these foster youth survived as children do not disappear as they climb into the limousines of Daddy Warbucks.
As the Executive Director of Child S.H.A.R.E. my eye is critical and acute in noting the issues of child abuse and foster care in films. And I ask that you to be cognizant of the issues as well. As you watch Despicable Me, think to yourself “Might you be the next Daddy Warbucks or Tuohy’s?” Could you make that Hollywood happy ending possible for a child?
As a part of Child S.H.A.R.E.’s support to our foster families, Welcome Gifts are delivered to all newly placed foster children. Today, Welcome Gifts were delivered to two young girls, 7 month old Ana* and 2 year old Sara* (*names have been changed to maintain confidentiality).
Upon receiving the toys, blankets and necessities from Child S.H.A.R.E. Recruiter, Lauren McKinley the girls rejoiced, yelling over and over “Thank you, lady!” Sara followed up her thanks by proudly serenading everyone in the room. Sara’s song choice? “You are My Sunshine.” Hearing that sweet voice sing with such joy, tears came to Lauren’s eyes as she reflected on how true that statement is of Sara.
Sara was initially placed with her Child S.H.A.R.E. foster Mom, Natalie* when she was 10 months old, when her biological mother was incarcerated. Sara was returned to her biological mother at 18 months of age, in that time her mother gave birth to another baby girl, Ana.
Shortly after she was returned to her biological mother, Sara was found walking the streets of Los Angeles at midnight, trailing behind her intoxicated mother. A well intentioned driver passing on the street where Sara and her mother were walking, stopped to intervene. After determining the mother was under the influence, the passerby scooped up the little Sara and took her to their home. Upon arriving home, the well intentioned family called the police. Sara’s mother was arrested for child endangerment and Sara, along with her baby sister Ana, were returned to Natalie.
Natalie is amazed at how rapidly Sara and Ana have bounced back from their recent abuse. Sara loves caring for her baby sister. Initially when she was placed with Natalie, baby Sara was aggressive and had numerous behavioral challenges. In her time at a Child S.H.A.R.E. home Sara has become incredibly well adjusted. As her foster mom attests, “it’s like she remembers the difference between what she went through and being here.” Sara is finally in a place where she feels safe and loved.
Sara & Ana join three big brothers, who were also adopted from foster care, in their loving Child S.H.A.R.E. home. Their foster mom Natalie, buoyed by the support of her mother, who is also an adoptive parent, showers them with love and attention. These two extraordinary women are true servants, dedicating their lives to the abused children who come to their door, reeling from abuse and craving the love and stability of a family. Child S.H.A.R.E. is honored to support them.
Seven year old Juan* joined the Smith* family (*names have been changed due to confidentiality) seven months ago. Bouncing through the foster care system for most of his life, Juan has clung to the belief that he will one day return to his biological mother. This is common among foster children, who in spite of the abusive and dysfunctional behaviors of their biological families, they passionately want to return “home.”
Armed with the hope of reunifying with his biological mother, Juan remained staunchly defiant and he did not accept the Smith family. Screaming insults and threats, Juan would regularly break objects and use obscene language. Despite their resolve to love and care for Juan, his behavior became overwhelming and three weeks ago the Smiths asked Juan’s Social Worker to remove him from their home.
This was yet another devastating turn in Juan’s troubled life as the Smiths knew the mother’s parental rights would be terminated at the upcoming 2-6 (custody) hearing. The Social Worker called for a meeting to explain to Juan exactly what moving from the Smith’s home would mean for him. The Judge was to permanently terminate parental rights at the next hearing. Under no circumstances would Juan return home and his chances of being adopted were deteriorating.
At this meeting, Juan’s biological mom faced him to explain that she couldn’t care for him and that he should treat his foster family well, as they are “good people.” With these stunningly honest words, everyone in the room began crying and Juan decided that he wanted to stay with the Smith family. This Child S.H.A.R.E. foster family immediately decided that they too want Juan to stay.
Juan’s behavior has continued to improve since this poignant meeting and he has now re-entered the adoption process. Juan’s story with his Child S.H.A.R.E. family proves that it does not have to be a Fairy Tale Story to have a Happy Ending.
2010 marks Child S.H.A.R.E.’s twenty-fifth year of service to abused and abandoned children in Los Angeles County. To commemorate this milestone, Child S.H.A.R.E. will honor its’ founders, Dr. Mary Rotzien and Brian Buchanan, as the Silver Anniversary Guardian Angel Award recipients. Following Child S.H.A.R.E.’s tradition, the award will officially be presented September 25th at the annual Gala.
As Board President Pat Dahlson explains, “Brian and Mary began in their garage with a vision to help abused children recover, heal and feel safe. Twenty-five years later, the organization they founded is highly successful, serving hundreds of children in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. Child S.H.A.R.E. is a pioneering model for the effective collaboration of the faith community, local service organizations and the government.”
On this Silver Anniversary, Child S.H.A.R.E. will celebrate the incredible impact it has had on the community. Since 1985, Child S.H.A.R.E. has successfully recruited over 900 families, providing stability for over 2,700 children. On any given day, over 600 children are lovingly cared for by Child S.H.A.R.E. families.
The Gala will be held at the Westin, Pasadena and includes dinner, a live musical performance and silent and live auctions. Tickets for the September 25th event are available and there is special pricing offered to Child S.H.A.R.E. families. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call Amanda Turek, Child S.H.A.R.E. at 818.649.8016, or email her at aturek@childshare.org.
The registration deadline for all Child S.H.A.R.E. families in L.A. County to RSVP for the 2010 Summer Family Picnic has been extended to this Friday, June 18th. We look forward to a fun filled day for all to enjoy!
Please RSVP to:
Andrew Henck
818.649.8000
Child S.H.A.R.E. is proud to announce the 2010 Lewis B. Smedes Conference on Foster Care & Adoption , Saturday, October 16th from 8am-5pm on the campus of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.
Fuller Theological Seminary President, Dr. Richard J. Mouw is graciously hosting this annual conference as an opportunity for parents, professionals and students in the fields of ministry, psychology & social work to receive information and resources while networking with others who live and work with foster and adopted children.
Presenters and speakers will be announced on the Child S.H.A.R.E. website as they are confirmed and registration information will be published shortly.
For more information, please email smedes@childshare.org or contact:
Andrew Henck
Director of Family Support
818.649.8020
Attend a special evening honoring Child S.H.A.R.E. founders Dr. Mary Rotzien and Brian Buchanan.
Saturday September 25, 2010
5:00pm-7:00pm Silent Auction
7:00pm-9:30pm Dinner, Live Auction & Evening Program
The Westin Pasadena
191 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena California 91107
Guardian Angel Award
Dr. Rotzien and Mr. Buchanan’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to Child S.H.A.R.E. continues to propel the organization forward, providing stability for over 2,700 children who have found homes with Child S.H.A.R.E. families.
Founder’s Alumni Scholarship Award
Chad Lucia was lovingly welcomed into a Child S.H.A.R.E. home at 8 days old. Now 21 years old, Chad plans to transfer to California State University Northridge, majoring in Speech Pathology. Chad’s ambition, success and desire to give back to others make him a perfect recipient of the Founder’s Alumni Award for 2010.
To Sponsor
For sponsorship, advertisement and ticket information contact Special Events Manager, Amanda Turek Aturek@childshare.org or 818.649.8016
