ChildShare

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

ahenck@childshare.org

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

Child S.H.A.R.E. is happy to Premiere Go Go Gourmet
Good Eats, Good Drinks, Good Times

Friday June 11, 2010

7-11pm

2929 Edinger Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
View Larger Map

Advance Ticket Sales
$50.00 per person
$60.00 at the door

Featuring:

Southern California’s Popular Gourmet Food Trucks

Including:

Barcelona on the Go

Crepes Bonaparte

Taco Dawg

Louks

Hosted by

Specialty Tequila Cocktails

Sponsored by

For information and ticket sales contact

Shoshana Puccia
By Email: spuccia@childshare.org
By Phone: (714) 619-0213

Sponsors include:

Herronco
Jamboree Plaza
Azunia
Kerns
Stremicks Heritage Foods
Hope Wine

Get ready for a great time of fun, food, games, music & much more this summer at the Child S.H.A.R.E. Summer Family Picnics!

L.A. County Summer Family Picnic
Saturday, June 26th
11am–2pm

O.C./Riverside County Summer Family Picnic
Saturday, July 31st
11am–2pm

All Child S.H.A.R.E. families are invited and encouraged to attend!

Please R.S.V.P. for your county’s picnic to:

Andrew Henck
ahenck@childshare.org
818.649.8020 | L.A. County Office
714.619.0245 | Orange County Office

8th Continent, a brand of fantastic soymilk, will be out in force at the LA Marathon on March 21st. Child S.H.A.R.E. will join 8th Continent at Mile 8 of the Marathon. Meet 8th Continent’s “soylbrity,” the unforgettable Lopez, and learn more about their LA Marathon by visiting www.8cpassport.com.

Greetings Child S.H.A.R.E. Families & Friends!

Do you know of any families wanting to start the foster/adoption process and are looking for the support of an organization like Child S.H.A.R.E. to help navigate the process? We’d love to meet them this month.

Child S.H.A.R.E. will be hosting the following information sessions for prospective families. Feel free to invite those you think might like to come.

Orange County:

What: Information Session for Families interested in Foster Care/Adoption
Date: Saturday, February 20
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am
Location: Child S.H.A.R.E. Conference Room
1615 E 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Ana CA 92705
Please RSVP by February 12 to:
Lindsay Parker
714.619.0254
lparker@childshare.org

Los Angeles:

What: Information Session for Families Interested in Foster Care/Adoption
Date: Saturday, February 27th
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am
Location: Child S.H.A.R.E. Office
1544 West Glenoaks Blvd. Glendale CA 91201
Please RSVP by February 19 to:
Lauren McKinley
818.649.8014
lmckinley@childshare.org

25. You can check running a Marathon off your “Bucket List.”

24. You are a fan of Tim McGraw, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Superman – they are all adopted!

23. You’re a Democrat- Obama has called on all Americans to “serve” in their communities.

22. You’re Republican- one of Ronald Reagan’s sons and one of John McCain’s daughters is adopted.

21. Choose to run instead of drive on your local errands, you will save on gas.

20. You will be in top shape just in time for the summer.

19. If you are single: Running groups are an excellent place to meet fit, motivated, potential dates.

18. If you are married: Running is a great way to have some alone time & zone out.

17. If you are a parent: You can build your running speed, so you can keep up with your kids for a change.

16. FINALLY keep that New Year’s Resolution to get in shape.

15. You will get a cool, new, official and exclusive Team Child S.H.A.R.E. T-shirt.

14. You have a good excuse to get a pedicure every week

13. You will have a good excuse to go shopping for new shoes & clothes.

12. You will have an excuse to request a foot massage from your partner.

11.  Running the marathon will give you a good excuse to reward yourself for a huge accomplishment… with something like a new BMW, or those Jimmy Choo’s you’ve been drooling over, etc.

10. Your backside will be a little firmer, higher, and cuter.

9. After completing a marathon you will join an elite group of athletes, as fewer than 1 percent of Americans have ever finished a marathon.

8. By training, you will improve your cardiovascular health and increase your chances of living a long, healthy, happy life.

7. Running outdoors will enable you to hone a greater appreciation for nature and the increased exposure to sunlight will give you more Vitamin D.

6. You will visit parts of LA you never thought you’d see, such as Rodeo Drive and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

5. Gives you time to work on your Forrest Gump impersonation.

4. Exercise & helping others builds endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy and everyone likes happy people.

3.  It’s the only way to get from the Eastside to the Westside of LA in less than 6 hours.

2. Pasta! Potatoes! Bread! Carbs will FINALLY be your friend!     

1. You will help give the priceless gift of a safe and loving home to a foster child.