CCOCA Connections Newsletter June 2017

CCOCA Connections is a resource to educate, motivate, and equip all members of the Church to be Champions of Orphans. Join us July 22 at the Centre County Orphan Care Alliance Picnic with a Purpose! RSVP at www.ccoca.org/picnic James 1:27 Update Want to help but aren't sure where to begin?  Join our James 1:27 list which provides for the needs of families when other resources are unavailable. Sign up at: www.ccoca.org or reply to this email with James 1:27 in the subject line. Foster Parent Events Adoption Focus Family Camp held at Camp Hebron in Halifax, PA , in conjunction with Bethany Christian Services July 30th-August 4th. Visit www.camphebron.org  to register and learn more. There are 42 kids IN OUR COUNTY waiting to be matched with a "BIG". Big Brothers/Big Sisters, aka BIGs, will be matched and trained by the Youth Service Bureau. What a great way to spend 1 1/2 hours a week...investing in the life of a local youth!  Not sure? Start with the one hour info session held monthly. Learn more: www.ccysb.com   Recommended Resources Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, by Sherrie Eldridge.   This book was reviewed by a local adoptive mom.  Most in the adoption world have nothing but happy thoughts about the gift of adoption. And it is a gift! However it is a gift whose root is loss; loss of a birth family. This book can be difficult to read at first, especially if your child is young and is still in the developmental stage of "I am adopted and my mom drives a blue van", thus showing little impact of her history of adoption. However, as I read further I was thankful for the author's insight and research. As a result of reading this book I feel much more aware of questions, concerns, or fears, my daughter might have as she grows into adolescence and adulthood and embraces her adoption. While every adoption path is unique, this book offers insight as to how to answer questions and provide security that every child needs. Please pray that Foster Families can be creative during this summer season and have an extra measure of grace and patience, and that others in their lives can provide respite or play dates, so parents can have refreshment or renewal. Foster Parent Care Groups Hang out with other Moms and Dads who "Get It!"  Lend a shoulder, bend an ear; the only agenda item is confidentiality.  Moms meet monthly at North Atherton Panera. Upcoming dates: July 15 at 8:30am Dads meet monthly at Quaker Steak. Upcoming dates:  July 20 at 6pm Centre County Orphan Care Alliance www.CCOCA.org Our mailing address is: 201 Harvest Fields Dr. Boalsburg, PA 16827