CCOCA Connections Newsletter May 2017

CCOCA Connections is a resource to educate, motivate, and equip all members of the Church to be Champions of Orphans. While May is "Officially" Foster Care Month, here at the Centre County Orphan Care Alliance we "Celebrate" Foster Care, in addition to Adoption, Mentoring, and International Child Sponsorship every month. One way we do that is to share the need in our county and raise awareness of the many different ways the Church and her people can live out James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world". We would love the opportunity to share ways to fulfill this mission with your church. This could take many forms such as sharing during announcement times or during adult Sunday school classes, participating in ministry fairs, or setting up a table in the church lobby. Later this summer we hope to have a short video we could send to churches! Please contact us if you would like to talk further about these options! James 1:27 Update We were blessed with the donation of a set of bunk beds and one of the mattresses needed. we were also able to provide the family the car sear they needed! Thank you! Join the list at: www.ccoca.org 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. Recommended Resources The Connected Child, co-authored by Dr. Karyn Purvis, has helped countless adoptive and foster parents better connect with their children as they seek to love and care for them in a way that honors God. “Dr. Karyn Purvis has dedicated her life to helping children from ‘hard places.’ Her loving and nurturing approach together with her research-based interventions produce amazing results. I have seen the lives of adoptive families transformed by applying the insights and practical tools that Dr. Purvis lays out in The Connected Child.” Dwain Gullion – President, Abba Fund Save the Date! Picnic with a Purpose ! July 22, 2017... to welcome foster and adoptive families, those who support them, and those who might want to join them.  This event will be held at Bernel Park (aka Airport Park) 2501 Bernel Rd. State College PA. It is right around the corner from the State College Airport. This park has playground equipment for all different age groups and is EXCELLENT for bikes so be sure to bring them!  Save the date, more info to follow via newsletter and Facebook! Please pray for our County and Private agency case workers! These dedicated professionals work long often unpredictable hours. They have many joys in their work but heartbreak as well. Please pray for endurance, wisdom and that they would see their efforts pay off in the lives of the children and families they serve!   . 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: May 20, June 24, July 15 at 8:30am Dads meet monthly at Quaker Steak. Upcoming dates:  April 20, May 18, June 15 at 6pm There aren't enough foster homes in Centre County for Centre County children? What this means is that when a child is abused or neglected and placed into care they are more likely to have to leave their school and community in addition to the only family they have ever known. They will also have long travel times for visits, doctor and therapy sessions. Want to make a difference in the life of a child and be part of the solution to this problem? Contact CCOCA at orphan.care@ccoca.org and we can share a little bit more about being a foster parent! Centre County Orphan Care Alliance www.CCOCA.org Our mailing address is: 201 Harvest Fields Dr. Boalsburg, PA 16827