September 2022 Newsletter

Mikey's Adoption Day is extra special.

Robert and Danielle and their children welcomed "Mikey" to their family on August 31st. He has been with them since August 2019. He has grown leaps and bounds in his time there. He has a pure and innocent heart, and his love for people is infectious. Everyone who meets Mikey loves him immediately. Yes, he is lucky to have found a home, but the family is lucky to have gotten him more. Mikey spent 1,251 days in foster care.

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Kim Griffin has been a realtor with Real Living Volpini Realty Group for over 27 years. She has been very involved in the local community and with Howland Schools. Kim is an innovator and has created, chaired, and supported many NOAS fundraisers during her service, including the beloved Progressive Dinner. She also passionately supports her family’s interests with the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum at Griffin-Sloas Airfield and their yearly Wings-N-Wheels fly-in and car show, raising money for local charities, including NOAS, Animal Welfare League, and the Aviation Museum. After the sudden loss of her son Ross, Kim has found healing in helping others through the Ross Griffin Memorial Foundation. The Foundation exists to honor the legacy of friendship and love inspired by Ross Robert Griffin by prudently distributing its financial assets to selected high school graduates from Trumbull and Mahoning Counties in Ohio and Mercer County in Pennsylvania to aid in their pursuit of a college degree from Ohio University and other local colleges. The Foundation also provides financial grants to selected entities seeking to help troubled youth who are or could be a danger to themselves or their communities. 

SEPTEMBER IS KINSHIP MONTH

Kinship care month recognizes relatives, members of tribes and clans, and non-related extended family members who provide round-the-clock protecting and nurturing for their younger family members.

As the child welfare system has evolved, kinship care has become increasingly important in meeting the needs of children. It promotes stability, permanence, and the well-being of children needing out-of-home placement while maintaining familial and cultural connections. In addition to reducing the trauma associated with family separation, placing children with relatives or kin helps them maintain their sense of family, belonging, and identity. 

Join NOAS and other child welfare agencies in prioritizing these connections and recognizing that kinship care must be the first option for children who cannot remain safely with their parents. 

NOAS is proud to partner with OhioKAN, a statewide flexible and responsive kinship and adoption navigator program designed to assist children, caregivers, and families. To connect with a navigator, call 1-844-OHIO-KAN. 

NOAS INTRODUCES CORE TEEN PROGRAM

LUTZ GREENHOUSE FALL RAFFLE

Kick Off FALL 2022 and Take a Chance For The Kids Raffle! Running now until October 2nd.

Enjoy Lutz's home grown Hardy Mums and 7,000 sq ft of Fall, Halloween, and Christmas Decor!

While shopping take a chance to win one of 152 items donated by Lutz Greenhouse! Buy a ticket and place it in the bucket of your choice! 11 chances for $5.00.

Half of the proceeds benefit NOAS!

Lutz Greenhouse is located at 7879 W. Pine Lake Rd, Salem, OH 44460.

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED

Ever thought of fostering a child? 16,000 children in Ohio are in need of a safe, stable and nurturing home environment. If now is the right time for you, NOAS will be hosting pre-placement classes beginning on September 20th. 

For more information, call Michelle at 330-856-5582, ext. 123 or visit noas.com.

UPCOMING TBRI® TRAINING

NOAS is now offering TBRI® training to any kinship, foster and adoptive families as well as professionals working with youth that come from hard places. The training will help families and foster youth work through real-life, problem-solving scenarios. To sign up for one of the following classes below, email Alana at amackenzie@noas.com.

EMPOWERING PRINCIPLES

September 24th

from 9:00am-4:00pm

CONNECTING PRINCIPLES

October 17th & 19th

from 5:00-8:00pm

EMPOWERING PRINCIPLES

December 5th & 7th

from 5:00-8:00pm

MEET DUTCHESS MURRAY

Dutchess Murray joins NOAS as our Diversity Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, a brand new position. In December, Dutchess will graduate from Kent State University with a Master's degree in Education Psychology. The Diversity Recruitment & Retention Coordinator will work to expand our community presence and build relationships in order to recruit foster caregivers to meet the cultural needs of our foster youth.