News & Events
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) sponsors several support groups for adoptive families and families preparing to adopt, and one group for birth families.
News
For Foster and Adoptive Families and Foster Care and Adoptionl Professionals:
Putting the Pieces Together: Lifebook Work with Children |
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| What: | Lifebook Training DVD for foster and adoptive parents and child welfare professionals. |
| Description: | Lifebooks are like scrapbooks (contain pictures, artwork and memorabilia), but they also include therapeutic elements to help children understand their life histories and make sense of loss, trauma and change. Lifebooks also celebrate a child’s strengths, dreams and plans for the future. This training DVD includes interviews with foster care youth, foster/adoptive parents and child welfare professionals and teaches how to do Lifebook work with children using a teamwork approach. |
| Who: | The DVD was developed by LSSI and the Center for Adoption Studies at Illinois State University. |
| More information: | Learn more at http://www.lssi.org/Support/Lifebooks.aspx |
| Cost: | $25 |
| Contact: | Call 847/635-4692 or e-mail CCS@LSSI.org |
Events
For Adoptive Families And Families Preparing To Adopt:
| Chicago Area: | |
Adoptive Families Connected |
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| Description: | Support and education for adoptive families and those preparing to adopt. |
| Where: | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 611 Randolph Street Oak Park, IL |
| When: | 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. |
| Cost: | Free. |
| Contact: | Elizabeth Thomas-Colwell 312/949-4811 or Elizabeth.Thomas-Colwell@LSSI.org or Kathy Santangelo 312/949-4809 or Kathy.Santangelo@LSSI.org |
| . | |
| Rockford Area: | |
Adoptive Parent Support Group (Adoptive Families Together) |
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| Description: | Open to all adoptive families and those preparing to adopt |
| Where: | LSSI Office 321 W. State St, 4th Floor Rockford, IL |
| When: | 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. |
| Cost: | Free. Call to reserve child care |
| Contact: | Jocelyn.McMahan@LSSI.org |
| . | |
| Rock Island Area: | |
Adoptive Parent Support Group and Family Activities |
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| Description: | Open to all adoptive families and those preparing to adopt |
| Where: | St John’s Lutheran Church 4501 7th Avenue Rock Island, IL |
| When: | 3rd Thursday of every month, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. |
| Cost: | Free. Child care provided if reserved in advance. |
| Contact: | Susan Goble at 309/786-6400 or Susan.Goble@LSSI.org |
| . | |
| Galesburg Area: | |
Adoptive Parent Support Group and Family Activities |
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| Description: | Open to all adoptive families and those preparing to adopt |
| Where: | First Church of the Nazarene 1501 Webster Street Galesburg, IL |
| When: | Saturdays in February, May, August & November (call or e-mail for specific dates) |
| Cost: | Free. |
| Contact: | Susan Goble at 309/786-6400 or Susan.Goble@LSSI.org |
Events For Birth Families:
| Peoria Area: | |
Healing Birth Family Support Group |
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| Where: | LSSI Office 3000 W. Rohmann W. Peoria, IL |
| When: | Third Thursday of every month, 6:00 p.m. |
| Cost: | Free. |
| Contact: | Mary Wake at 309/671-0300 or Mary.Wake@LSSI.org |
