Chronicle SPRING 2017
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Foster Care. Foster Hope.
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oster care gives children and teens the home they need and deserve. It gives them hope to see that there is a world where love, safety, and security exist. Children come into foster care for a number of different reasons. Often they have experienced abuse and neglect, but sometimes the child's needs are more than his or her family can meet or the child requires a different path to succeed. Whatever the reason, the underlying needs are the same―a home where each child can be supported, guided, and accepted. Foster parenting is a special calling. “We are always in need of strong and caring foster families who can meet the challenge of parenting children with difficult backgrounds and multiple needs,” says Toosdhi Jackson, CCC Foster Care Program Director.
The Decision to Become a Foster Parent
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ne of CCC’s current foster parents expresses her foster care experience this way:
“Years ago, I kept seeing the UNICEF pictures of children in need and wanted to take them all home. I had two children of my own and my husband was not interested in fostering. In my early fifties, I became single and determined that it was the right time to pursue fostering as I was now the sole decision maker. I learned about CCC through one of my coworkers who was fostering through them. It’s been a wonderful ten years of fostering, I wish I had done it a lot sooner. It’s such a rewarding thing to do. The children are so good. They’re wonderful. To give safety and security is a nice thing to do for another human being, especially a child. If you accept youth in a trusting and loving way, they respond. If you have fear, doubt or any apprehension, they’ll pick up on it. Just give love. Treat them like your own children.”
Foster Care Awareness Month happens each year in May. To learn more about foster care, visit www.cccofva.org.
www.cccofva.org • Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith.
What makes a good foster home? • A Safe Environment: A foster home should be an environment where children are safe from harm, where their needs are met, and where they feel secure and at ease. • A Comfortable Home: A place where a child might have a private bedroom, a comfortable bed, and the understanding that they are home. Equally important is a sense of structure and consistency, where the family eats meals together, the child attends school, has a consistent bedtime, and has time to socialize with friends. • Effective Discipline: This involves a foster parent being firm but fair and always being patient rather than resorting to shouting. Helping a child learn about acceptable boundaries and what is accepted within the household is an important role that a foster parent teaches. • Support and Guidance: Some foster children have special needs and require additional support and guidance to help them deal with difficult issues. • Communal Activities: Going for walks, going to the park, worshipping together, and playing sports are all ways for a child to feel part of a family and increase their sense of belonging. • Taking an Interest: How was your day? Can I help you with your homework? Simple, yet caring, questions show that a foster parent is interested in a child. • Provide a Happy Environment: A joyful home creates a positive experience for everyone.
2 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Becoming a Foster Parent
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dmittedly, the process of becoming a foster parent isn't easy. There are many steps, paperwork, and screenings to ensure a safe and appropriate placement that works for both the child and the foster parent or foster family. While the process isn't for the faint of heart, in the end, it's incredibly rewarding. "It's not always easy, but it's always worth it," said one of CCC's foster parents. Foster parents never undertake the fostering journey alone. CCC’s Foster Care staff provide ongoing support, extensive training and workshops, and 24/7 emergency assistance. One of the most frequently asked questions during the initial screening stage is, “Do I need to be Catholic to foster a child through you?” The answer is no. "We work with anyone who has a heart for nurturing and caring for children," said Toosdi Jackson, CCC Foster Care Program Director. "We not only work with families of any faith, we need families of all faiths to help children and youth from diverse backgrounds feel comfortable in their home.”
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Supreme Words of Encouragement and Hope for a Foster Child Palabras Supremas de Estimulo y Esperanza para un Joven de Cuidados de Crainza
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s an unaccompanied refugee minor (URM) from Honduras, Joel* knows the struggles of being an immigrant. So when he and his high school government classmates were assigned to write a letter to a public official about their personal journeys, hopes, and dreams, he knew to whom he wanted to write: Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Of all the letters written by the class, only Joel received a response―and in his native Spanish no less. Justice Sotomayor's message to Joel was very personal and encouraging. His school plans to hang a copy of the letter along with a translation in the library for all to see. The letter reads: "Thank you for writing me a letter and sharing about your life. I appreciate you sharing parts of your life and dreams. My path was not easy. The most important advice I received and can give is that the character of a person is not measured by the quantity of the times they fall, but the number of times they overcome. During your path of life you will face challenges, but perseverance and adversity reflect the depth of character. Professional success doesn’t come easily. Never be afraid to approach people that can bring out better qualities of you and who are ready and anxious to help you. In fact, you’ll be surprised of the number of people that really care for you and your future. You are young and talented. Never let anyone intimidate you. The promise you are showing makes me hopeful that we will have many more influential Latinos in the near future. I encourage you to share knowledge with the world and take a leadership role. Always be ready to serve the needs of those less fortunate. We need more talented and passionate people, like you to help our countries better confront challenges of the future. In coming years, I wish you happiness, for you to dream big, work hard, and achieve success in everything you do." • • • • • The URM program of CCC** provides foster care to refugee children who have fled their home countries because of war, persecution, or other dangerous living situations. These children arrive in the U.S. through the United Nations, typically without their families. The children are placed in foster homes where they receive support from their foster family and CCC social workers to help them adjust to their new lives in the U.S. * Joel is a pseudonym **This program was supported by Department of Social Services (VDSS) RFP# CVS 12-089, with funds made available to Virginia from the Office of Refugee Resettlement/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of VDSS or the U.S. Department of Justice/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
4 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
he TREFUGEE
PROJECT
Students Making Community Connections With World Issues
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n the Fall of 2016, Dana Morris, a Godwin High School art teacher, approached the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) in Richmond to collaborate on a project for her art students. The goal was to connect her students with a humanitarian issue and her purpose to provide a platform to people whose stories are often not
heard. With the refugee crisis in the news daily, Morris hoped that with the help of the VHM and Commonwealth Catholic Charities, her students could learn about refugees living in the United States ―from the past up to present day. Her students toured the VHM and then met with refugees to hear their personal stories. They heard from CCC staff who were refugees themselves and represented the countries of Bhutan, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Poland, and Nepal. Through these conversations, the students drew inspiration for the artwork that is being exhibited at the VHM through August 25. With World Refugee Day on June 20, visiting the exhibit is a fitting way to learn about refugees in Richmond, as well as pay tribute to them.
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Long-Term Health Benefits of Volunteering
3. Makes you feel good - Researchers found that people become happier by volunteering more. When you give your time to others, you attain a personal sense of accomplishment, accounting for some of the positive effects that volunteering has on your mood. Volunteering exists to help others. But 4. Contributes to a longer life - People volunteerism's best-kept secret is this: who volunteer encounter greater it's good for you, too. So why not give longevity and less frequency of heart it a shot? disease. Volunteers may be at a lower risk for memory loss, too. The social 1. Boosts self esteem - By helping interaction can significantly reduce others, you'll build a greater the progress of Alzheimer’s and other sense of trust and self esteem. types of dementia. 2. Expands your connections 5. Gives purpose - As people get older, The relationships created while they experience a higher risk for volunteering are endless. You can isolation. Volunteering combats that make new friends and keep the old statistic by adding a sense of purpose by engaging in a common activity. to life. The same goes for people With a larger social network, you’ll with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, have more resources, leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and better physical, mental, and other mental illnesses. emotional health.
6. Combats stress - Studies on the “Happiness Effect” of volunteering show that you become happier the more you volunteer. When you assist others, your body releases dopamine in the brain, which has a positive effect on how you feel. Volunteers also experience lower levels of depression. 7. Gives a good example - Volunteering as a family is a great way to teach important lessons to children. You can show the impact of volunteering through your actions. Giving back to the community lays the foundation for service in years to come. 8. Teaches new skills - Volunteering gives you the opportunity to explore new skills and interests that you might not get to enjoy otherwise. You can broaden your horizons while helping others at the same time. To get involved and learn about CCC's exciting volunteer opportunities, visit cccofva.org/get-involved!
*From http://nonprofithub.org/featured/8-long-term-health-benefits-of-volunteering/ by Claire Shinn.
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H
ampton Roads appenings I
n April, students from the College of William & Mary's anthropology program met with eight refugees who were recently resettled through CCC. The refugees shared their experiences with the students, giving them a first-hand perspective on the ideas they were studying. "This discussion provided a valuable learning experience for everyone involved," said Kristen Larcher, CCC Refugee Resettlement School Liaison. "Connecting with others― especially those with different backgrounds―is such an important learning experience."
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bigail Yoder, an intern for CCC from Christopher Newport University, was recently recognized for service through the Bonner Service Scholar Year End Celebration. Yoder assisted CCC by enrolling students in school, finding tutors and mentors, connecting children to educational and extracurricular activities, and numerous other community engagement projects. Yoder is majoring in Social Work. Pictured: Kristen Larcher, CCC School Liaison (L) and Abigail Yoder, (R) at the event.
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fter completing English language classes through CCC, a studious group of women decided they wanted to continue with additional lessons. A local church in Hampton Roads is now providing transportation and childcare for them while they study. 6 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Employee Spotlight New Development Manager
Donald Miller was recently hired as CCC's new Development Manager. Miller is well-known to CCC as a board member and, most recently, as chair for the Commonwealth Human Services Foundation Board of Directors. A career in finance has prepared him well for his new role with CCC. "I’ve always been passionate about CCC and its programs. Now I can channel that energy into raising funds to support the work of the agency.”
Norfolk Office Opens with New Staff Member
CCC recently opened an office in Norfolk and has hired Sam O'Neill as a housing specialist to work with the homeless in the area. "Having an office in the Norfolk area allows CCC to help an entirely new group of people in need," said Jay Brown CCC Division Director for Housing Services. "Sam is a welcome addition to the CCC team."
Graetzer Receives Award
Eric Graetzer, Debt Management Counselor in Richmond, recently received a Community Service Award at the 2017 Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) Spring Conference. The award is given to housing counselors who have provided outstanding community service. The VAHC conference is attended by housing counselors throughout Virginia, as well as from D.C. and Maryland. “It came as quite a surprise. I didn’t even know I was nominated," said Graetzer. “I look at all this as doing the Lord’s work.”
ONNECT!
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Chronicle • Spring 2017 | 7
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Chronicle NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2017
Do you have an old car sitting around? Donate it to CCC and you’ll receive a tax deduction! Call 804.545.5942 or visit www.cccofva.org for details.