Children Awaiting Parents, Inc.            
E-Newsletter
Newsletter
July
2015


In this edition, we would like to give special recognition to two groups of people- our supporters and our families. THANK YOU to the committed supporters who joined us during our annual Family Walk in June. THANK YOU to families who enrolled in our adoption training classes this month and are stepping forward and provide a loving, forever home to those who need it most- CAP's waiting youth!
Read on to find out about our fall events and activities that will decrease the wait for CAP you th! 
Please connect with us by phone (585-232-5110), email or through Facebook for further assistance with your adoption journey or to find out how you can help us lift the wait for foster youth.
In This Issue
Teen Panel in Corning, NY 9/15/15
Food Truck Rodeo 9/30/15
CAP's Heart Gallery and National Adoption Month Celebrations 11/2-11/13
Our first Adoption Training Classes are Underway!
New York State's Foster Care Practices May Result in Law Suit
Thank you to our walkers!
Upcoming Events.
Save the date: Teen Panel in Corning, NY 9/15/15

Come hear Western New York's most resilient youth speak about what it's like to spend your childhood in foster care. This is a teen panel where our youth will answer various questions, given by a moderator, about their experiences in care.

 

While this is not a formal matching event, we encourage you to contact CAP to learn more about a waiting youth. All youth attending are legally freed and seeking a permanent family.

Contact Ilona Russell for more information and to register to attend: 232-5110
Save the Date: Food Truck Rodeo 9/30/15
CAP will have a display at the Food Truck Rodeo at the Public Market (280 North Union St., Rochester 14609) from 5-9pm. Visit our display for raffle prizes and food tickets to support our waiting youth.
 
Enjoy the popular event with tons of food vendors and live music while helping CAP find homes for older children. 
**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED** We are looking for volunteers to help us hand out flyers and tickets for our raffle prizes. Contact: Melanie Schmidt: 232-5110
  
Save the Date: CAP's Heart Gallery and National Adoption Month Celebrations 11/2-11/13
CAP plans to kick off November (National Adoption Month) with our Annual Luncheon and Heart Gallery Opening on 11/6/15. Dr. Michael J. Bradely, author of "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy" will be this year's key note speaker at our Heart Gallery Luncheon (11/6) at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Later in the evening, CAP's Heart Gallery Opening will take place in the RMSC's planetarium. The public is welcome to view beautiful photos of CAP's waiting youth as well as successful adoptive families displayed during the Heart Gallery reception.       
Throughout the first two weeks of November, we will also be hosting adoption events and workshops. Our workshops will be relevant to  families, child welfare professionals, educators, therapists, family law professionals, and anyone who works with or parents teens (especially teens in foster care). Stay tuned for more information about our National Adoption Month Activities.  
**PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED** CAP has been so grateful to local photographers for generously donating their time and talents to take meaningful photos of our waiting youth. We are looking for additional photographers who would like to help us find homes for waiting youth by taking their photo to be featured in our Heart Gallery display.
**Caseworkers: There's still space to register children for CAP's 2015 Heart Gallery.**
Contact Pat Burks: 232-5110 to register children or volunteer your services as a photographer.
Our first Adoption Training Classes are Underway!

We are excited to announce that we began our first-ever MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) training class for adoption certification/approval this month! CAP is eager to help families through every part of their adoption journey. We look forward to reporting on the outcomes of our new services to local youth and families.

 

New York State's Foster Care Practices May Result in Law Suit
Many who work in the foster care adoption arena (or those who look to adopt foster youth) are often discouraged by the bureaucratic red tape that sometimes keeps youth in foster care longer than necessary. 

Part of CAP's role is to advocate for children and families to be connected in a timely manor, pursing the best interest of the waiting youth. If you work with a child or you are a family that has been waiting too long to complete the adoption process, contact us for assistance: 232-5110.

"According to a federal class-action lawsuit being filed on Wednesday [7/8/15] against the child welfare agencies of New York City and New York State, is a common thread of delay, mismanagement and incompetence that keeps children in an often harmful foster care system for months or years longer than necessary". Read the rest of the article published in The New York Times here:
THANK YOU to those who participated in CAP's Family Walk on June 6th!
Mini Adoption Superheroes
We had a wonderful day celebrating adoption at Charlotte Beach last month. Thank you to all our supporters who made the walk a success! More photos can be found on our facebook page (Give us a like while you're there!)
 
Upcoming Events

Teen Panel

Tuesday September 15th

Southeast Steuben County Library, 300 Center Way #101, Corning, NY 14830

Contact Ilona Russell to sign up

 

Food Truck Rodeo to benefit CAP

Wednesday, September 30th, 5-9pm 

Enjoy the popular event with tons of food vendors and live music while supporting CAP's waiting youth. 

 

Heart Gallery: November 6th

Rochester Museum and Science Center. View the beautiful photos of CAP's waiting youth and adoptive families displayed during our opening reception. This event is family friendly and free to the public.

 

National Adoption Month Workshops

Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 2nd through 13th from 6-8pm. Workshops for families and professionals will offer effective ways to meet the needs of teens in foster care. More information to come.

 

Adoption Information Meetings: 

The 2nd and Last Wednesday of every month  

6:00pm - CAP Office

274 N. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14607  (Village Gate)  

Learn all you need to know about foster care adoption, the process and how to get started!

RSVP 585-232-5110 or email Veronica


 
Council of Adoptive Parents Support Group

The last Tuesday of every mont h  

New families & their children are always welcome!

6:00 PM: CAP office

274 N. Goodman St., 
Rochester , NY 14607 (Village Gate)  
RSVP 585.232.5110 or email  Veronica  
If you have any questions, would like help with the adoption process, would like to share your adoption story or find out how to get involved with CAP, please reach out to us!

 

Sincerely,

 


274 N. Goodman Street
Suite D103
Rochester, NY 14607

Phone 585-232-5110 or 888-835-8802
Fax 585-232-2634
News@capbook.org
www.ChildrenAwaitingParents.org
Message from the Executive Director
Charles Reaves

 Last month at CAP's annual meeting, the Board and I had the privilege of honoring several board members whose tenure has ended. As a not-for-profit we were fortunate to have had these individuals share their time, talent and passion for children. Their belief that every child deserves to be in a caring environment with a loving family has helped us continue to provide services to children in foster care and to families seeking to adopt. Because of these individuals Children Awaiting Parents is a much stronger organization.

To Tony and Judy Malone, Alice Raymond, Bill Nelkin, and Barbara Sassano from all of us thank you.

 

Charles Reaves
Executive Director  
Waiting Youth Feature:
Birth Date: May, 2001
State: Florida
Effie
Effie is a curious and playful young lady. Effie loves her television, her iPad and computer. She likes to makes funny video of herself making faces. She enjoys laughing, watching movies, and enjoys all her Disney princess movies. Reading is her favorite subject and likes going to the local book fair.
Caseworker Corner

Carolyn Drury

Clinician 

Developmental Abilities Services (D.A.S.) Program at Hillside's Varick Residential Treatment Center

Romulus, NY

Carolyn works with one of CAP's longest waiting youth. She has truly embraced the importance of permanence for this young man who has multiple special needs. Carolyn even facilitated a presentation by CAP staff to her fellow co-workers about the benefits of adoption for foster youth. She is an amazing advocate for the children she works with and often puts in extra hours on the weekend to be sure their needs are met. Thank you, Carolyn for helping CAP youth build lifelong family connections. Your efforts are not only helping the kids you work with, but you are also improving the child welfare system as a whole!
Quick Links
Give back to CAP through Amazon Smile and IGive
Giving to Children Awaiting Parents has never been easier with Amazon Smile and IGive! Simply click the buttons above, log on and select CAP as your charity of choice. Every time you shop,  a portion of the proceeds will go to Children Awaiting Parents. (Be sure to log in on the computer or device you use to make purchases) Happy shopping and thank you! 
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