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Current Events
This section offers information for our current clients to find out what's happening at HOPE, and information for those who may be interested in our services or looking for opportunities to get involved!
Information/Orientation Meetings
PPAI (Waiting Child) Orientation Meetings
For those considering adopting through the Minnesota Waiting Child (Public Private Adoption Initiative) Program. Please call HOPE to register: 651.439.2446.
6-8 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2008 at HOPE - free!
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at HOPE - free!
6-8 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2008 at HOPE - free!
Adoption Information Meetings
Please call HOPE to register: 651.439.2446.
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at Atwood Memorial Center (Oak Room), St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN - free!
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at Rochester Senior Center, 121 N. Broadway, Rochester, MN - free!
6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2008 at HOPE - free!
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at Minnco Center Community Room, Minnco Credit Union, Cambridge, MN -free!
FREE Individual Information Meetings
Am I too old to adopt? Do I have to be married? What if I have an old arrest record, can I still adopt a child? If you have personal questions like these, now is the time to schedule a FREE INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION MEETING with a social worker at HOPE. For the time being, HOPE is offering FREE individual meetings (a $50 value). Call MaryJo Melander at HOPE, 651-439-2446.
Adoption Panel - Older Child Adoption
7-9 pm Monday, September 22, 2008 at HOPE
7-9 pm Monday, November 17, 2008 at HOPE
If you've ever wondered what it's really like to bring an older child into your family through adoption, come hear families share their stories at this Adoption Panel. Families who have adopted through the Minnesota Waiting Child Program will explain why they chose this type of adoption, and how they and their families adjusted to the ups and downs of parenting children who have suffered trauma. This is an opportunity for those thinking about adopting toddlers and older children to ask questions and explore the process before making a commitment. To register, call HOPE, 651-439-2446.
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Pre-Adoption Workshops
Pre-Adopt, Pre-Foster Parent Training
For those planning to adopt older children and Minnesota Waiting Children.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11, 2008 at HOPE
Cost: $100/person - free to clients of Minnesota Public Private Adoption Initiative and HOPE clients of any adoption program.
Call HOPE for more information: 651.439.2446
Download the PDF
Multicultural Parenting in a Racist Society
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at HOPE - $50 per person; HOPE clients & extended family members free, clients of any county adopting Minnesota Waiting kids free
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2009 at HOPE - $50 per person; HOPE clients & extended family members free, clients of any county adopting Minnesota Waiting kids free
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009 at HOPE - $50 per person; HOPE clients & extended family members free, clients of any county adopting Minnesota Waiting kids free
Download the PDF
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Post-Adoption Workshops
Harambee Village Evenings
Have you adopted African American children through the Minnesota Waiting Child Program? Your family can receive a scholarship to attend these evenings, the 1st Sunday of each month. Harambee Village Evenings include dinner, support groups for parents & caregivers, and programs for kids. For information, contact The Harambee Village at NACAC, 651-917-7462 or email HarambeeVillage@nacac.org.
Download the PDF
Building Happy & Healthy Families
This series consists of Saturday Workshops and Family Support & Consult Evenings.
Saturday Workshops
9 am-12:30 pm at HOPE
Open to all families, regardless of adoption type, stage of the process, or agency, the workshops will provide a basic understanding of attachment as it relates to child development.
Developmental Attachment I - 9 am-12:30 pm Saturday, October 4, 2008. Led by Claude Riedel of the Adoptive Family Counseling Center.
Developmental Attachment II - 9 am-12:30 pm Saturday, November 8, 2008. Led by Holly van Gulden of the Adoptive Family Counseling Center.
Family Support & Consult Evenings
7-9 pm 3rd Tuesdays at HOPE
An opportunity for each family to seek consultation on how to understand and respond to challenging behaviors, and to receive feedback on specific intervention methods and approaches. Therapists will address specific topics of interest to participants, but if you have a need, just come - don't worry too much about the topic.
7-9 pm Tuesday, August 19, 2008: Preparing for School-Challenges of Change
7-9 pm Tuesday, September 16, 2008: Self Discipline & Self Control
7-9 pm Tuesday, October 21, 2008: The Challenge of Supporting Your Child in the School Setting
November & December-No Meetings
7-9 pm Tuesday, January 20, 2009: Recovering from the Holidays-What Went Well, What Was Hard, What to Do Next Time
7-9 pm Tuesday, February 17, 2009: Are Those Bad Choices Intentional or Is My Child Just Trying to Find Their Way?
7-9 pm Tuesday, March 17, 2009: Effects of Earlier Trauma on Child Development & Attachment
7-9 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2009: My Child is Lovely to Everyone Else and Rotten to Me
7-9 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2009: How to Survive Summer Vacation
7-9 pm Tuesday, June 16, 2009: Lying & Stealing
7-9 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2009: Having Fun in Your Family-Enjoying Free Time
Cost is $20/person for mini workshops and $40/person for Saturday workshops. May be free for families with a child placed through the Minnesota Waiting Child Program (PPAI).
Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
6:30-8:30 Thursday, October 16, 2008 at HOPE
A training session for parents and caregivers who have a child affected by a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and parents who want to gain new information about this disorder. Presented by Cathy Luiken, MSW, LGSW, coordinator of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Regional Network.
Cost: $10/person or free to parents with a Minnesota Waiting Child placed (submit a Scholarship Request Form).
Download the PDF
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Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities to help yourself, children, birth parents and other adoptive families while you gain tremendous personal satisfaction:
* Speak at a general adoption informational meeting. You don't need to know all the answers. Meetings are held on pre-scheduled week nights and some Saturday mornings. If you can share your story with people thinking about adopting, call Julie Kink, 651-439-2446 or jkink@hopeadoptionservices.org.
* Talk with someone you know about making a major gift to HOPE. We are seeking contributors for our ongoing operating expenses & special projects. If you can meet with a business or community leader that you know personally, to explain why HOPE is worthy of their support, call Coleen Gregor, 651-439-2446 or cgregor@hopeadoptionservices.org.
* Help in the office for two to three hours. If you can commit to coming regularly, or on-call, to assist with special projects (weekday hours), call Sheryl Boumeester, 651-439-2446 or sboumeester@hopeadoptionservices.org
* Facilitate discussion at cross cultural workshops. If you would like to help adopting families understand what it's like to adopt cross culturally, call Sheryl Boumeester, 651-439-2446 or sboumeester@hopeadoptionservices.org.
* Talk on a panel about your infant adoption. Tell your story and maybe bring along your child's birth parents. Call MaryJo Melander, 651-439-2446, mmelander@hopeadoptionservices.org.
* Help with editing training videos and video record HOPE's educational trainings. Training is provided. Great for students interested in graphics and video editing. Call Sheryl Boumeester, 651-439-2446, sboumeester@hopeadoptionservices.org.
*Fair Exhibit Attendant needed, do you like attending county fairs and would like to outreach for HOPE and adoptive families? The Washington County Fair is usually the first week of August-we are looking to fill some 4 hour shifts throughout the run. Please call Sheryl Boumeester, 651-439-2446 or sboumeester@hopeadoptionservices.org
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Our Latest Newsletter
HOPE News July 2008
Click to open up a printable copy of our latest newsletter for info on events, educational opportunities, and other news of interest.
Download the PDF
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Resources
Resources for Adoptive Families
There are many community resources available to assist you in your preparation for adoption. A large part of the adoption study process is gathering information and preparing for the life long nature and commitment of adoption. As part of your adoption study we ask that you choose to use at least three of the following resources. Choose according to your interests, needs and social worker’s recommendations. Then keep this list for future reference. Please click below to download the document.
Download the PDF
HOPE's book and video library
HOPE has a book and video library. HOPE clients can check out any book or video. Below, you can download the titles that are available for check out. If you have any questions regarding the library please call HOPE 651-439-2446.
Download the PDF
Birthparent Forum
The Birthparent Forum is a support group developed by Adoption Services, Inc., Waukesha, Wisconsin for men and women who have voluntarily placed a child for adoption. The Birthparent Forum presents healthy avenues for birth parents to express themselves, as well as many great opportunities for growth and enrichment. Go to www.birthparentforum.org.
National Foster Care Adoption Attitudes Survey
A call to action from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. There is HOPE for children waiting in foster care, if we can take some important steps. Download the executive summary of the survey below.
Download the PDF
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