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FEATURED
Is Adoption Right for your Family?
Written by: Cathy Downs
Kay and Mike Smith of Cary knew they wanted to adopt even before they met. Since they were both adopted into their families as babies, they wanted their children to be adopted, too. "We wanted to build our family that way," Mike Smith says. "We were a little older, and not knowing either of our medical histories, we didn't know what could happen."
Their dream was realized when they learned of their twin daughters' birth through a "baby born" situation, in which a baby who has just been born becomes available for adoption. Born almost three months early, Emma and Bryson are now healthy 16-month-olds.
Frame your feelings
As my husband, Don, and I considered adoption, we realized the primary reason we wanted to become parents was to pass on our love and values. For us, adoption felt better than proceeding with intense medical procedures.
Lori Casto, and her husband, Brian, of Morrisville, had similar feelings. "You could put all these chemicals into your body and spend all this money and not be successful. Or, there are a lot of babies in this world who need good homes," Casto says.
Brad Nathanson, agency director of Nathanson Adoption Services, suggests that prospective parents start with the end in mind. "What I recommend for families is they come up with an ideal scenario and think about what they want in the adoption process and in the type of child to adopt," Nathanson says.
"They can make a list of values that are very important to them and values that are less important; what they want in the adoption; whether they have lots of flexibility or not," he says.
Continue reading
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WHAT'S NEW
The New Arrivals Institute
LFS Carolinas celebrates the announcement of the creation of The New Arrivals Institute in Greensboro. Leilani Roughton and Sochealy Sin, who worked in our Greensboro office, along with partners in the community, have been instrumental in creating this new nonprofit organization, which will ensure the continuation of English Language Training and cultural orientation services in Greensboro through experienced providers and strong community collaboration.
ESL training, linkage to services, and cultural orientation are key in helping refugees continue their journey toward safety, self-sufficiency, and wholeness in their new land.
The current vibrant network of resettlement agencies, mainstream service providers, and refugee communities in Greensboro and the Triad only stand to grow stronger with the addition of The New Arrivals Institute to act as a liaison among them.
The Institute’s founders have a thorough understanding of the complex needs of refugees as well as the drive to advocate for ongoing resources for the Greater Greensboro region.
Please join us in welcoming The New Arrivals Institute. Their success is a victory for anyone dedicated to helping refugees create new lives of hope and promise in the United States.
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Share the Light
In partnership with Ft. Jackson, the South Carolina Armory and the Blue Star Mothers, LFS Carolinas is hosting Share the Light. A ceremony honoring the men and women who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces.
The event features Keynote Speaker Col. Craig Currey, Deputy Commander at Ft. Jackson and a performance by the Benedict College Gospel Choir.
Share The Light
Thursday, November 11, 2010
5:30 - 7 PM
Memorial Park, Columbia, SC
For more information please contact Courtney McDuffie at (803) 461-2613 or Courtney.McDuffie@lfscarolinas.org
***Rain Location
Zion Baptist Church, 801 Washington Street, Columbia, SC
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Give Joy
As your congregation or business prepares for the holiday season, we ask that you consider placing an angel tree in your place of worship or office and encouraging your members to GIVE JOY to person in need.
It’s as easy as setting up a tree! We will provide an ornament for the sponsoring member to add to their own tree with the wishes of one of your neighbors attached. This year, we are asking that sponsors GIVE JOY through a gift card or cash donation. This will allow us to serve more people and allow for us to fulfill the wishes of the child that enters our care on Christmas Eve.
If you are interested in participating this year, please contact us at info@lfscarolinas.org.
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Upcoming Events
Share the Light
A ceremony honoring the men and women who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces
Thu, Nov 11, 2010
5:30 - 7 PM
Memorial Park
Columbia, SC
Give Thanks
Reformation Lutheran Church will be working in partnership with local churches to host a Thanksgiving dinner for the children who live at the group homes
Thu, Nov 25, 2010
12 - 2 PM
Reformation Lutheran
1118 Union Street
Columbia, SC 29201
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Donate Today
In-Kind Needs
Bikes for Refugees
Newly arriving refugees rely on public transportation or the help of others to get to and from work. Having a bike would allow a refugee family to save on transportation costs and become self sufficient.
To donate a bike to a refugee family please contact us at 1-800-HELPING or info@lfscarolinas.org
Refugee services are coordinated from our offices in Raleigh, NC and Columbia, SC.
There are many ways you can support LFS Carolinas as we help the vulnerable people in our communities. To learn how your gift can make a difference click here.
1-800-HELPING
www.lfscarolinas.org
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