November 28, 2011
Dear Gift Givers,
Help One Child is a “family of foster families,” and Christmas is the time of year when this becomes really, really fun. Staff scurries around putting together the dinner menu for the huge family celebration, gathering craft and game materials for all to enjoy, and matching children’s wish lists with people who generously drop off presents for each child. The office temporarily takes on all the excitement and clutter of Santa’s workshop.
Many of the little ones that were fostered and adopted when Help One Child was a new ministry are now in their teens and scared. Abandonment fears resurface as they near the age of 18. Relationships are difficult. Learning deficits abound. Prenatal drug exposure decreases executive brain function and increases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Will they be rejected when they apply for a job? Will they blow it if they are hired? Is college even an option? Anxiety and depression abound.
Help One Child has always offered support to the families with parent groups and classes. This is not enough. Ministry volunteers are now going into group homes to offer encouragement and support to teens that don’t have a foster family, and we have stepped up recruitment efforts to specifically look for families willing to take in a teen. A pilot support group for teen girls is underway. Teen classes are scheduled in the spring to teach job application skills and personal safety.
The birth of Christ, though wildly celebrated today, was just the humble beginning of Christ’s ministry on earth. It was His life-giving love for all of us that inspires our ministry to foster and adoptive families. “He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalms 147:3) This is no easy task! It takes many hands in terms of staff and volunteers, to touch the lives of foster children and teens.
Whether you have given to the ministry of Help One Child from your bounty or through time and talent, we want to thank you. We hope you will remember us again this year in your giving and with your prayers.
Blessings from all of us,
JoAnne and Mark Morris
Founders
Year End Report For the year ending June 30, 2011
858 University Ave., Los Altos, CA 94024 • (888) KID-HOPE • helponechild.org
Staff
Susan Herman
Executive Director
Judy Holmes
Director, Support Services
Kim Blomdal
Jill Sandy
Director, Community Development
Cari Michel
Office & Program Manager
Cathy Lewis
Program Manager
Julie Handel
Beth Walker
Special Projects
Board
Dan Van Elderen
Co-Chairman of the Board
Judi Van Elderen
Co-Chairman of the Board
Mark Morris, President
Sandi Orlando, RN, Secretary
General Members:
Cris Goodman, JD
Jo Anne Morris
| Finances 10-11 | Union Presbyterian Church donates the ministry’s corporate offices and use of its facilities for programs. Hundreds of volunteers provide thousands of hours of administrative, program, and in-home support. |
Income Comparison
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Income Fiscal Year 09-10 |
$382,000 |
| Income Fiscal Year 10-11 |
$430,000 |
| Budget 11-12 | $422,000 |
On May 1, the organization held its first annual Mission Increase Banquet to raise funds for further outreach. Generous donors sponsored 24 tables hosted by ministry champions. Guests were touched by the testimonies of just a few of the many who have opened their home to a child in need. Proceeds from the evening exceeded $80,000. |
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| Recruiting | Help One Child is dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting those willing to provide a home or services for foster children. |
New Ambassador Churches
For over 10 years, Pastor Linda Jackson has included the ministry in CCC’s mission program and monthly giving. This past year, CCC hosted Help One Child’s volunteer training for respite providers. Marie McMullin’s band of quilters and sewers created a quilt for every camper at our Signs of Hope Camp and sewed a stocking for all 190 children at our Christmas party.
Rev. Shannon Pappas and ministry advocate Jenny Young, both adoptive parents, have taken a strong stance for the ministry. FPCSM now hosts the Parent Child Connection monthly parent support group. Their children’s ministry reaches out through special projects to foster children in need.
Joining the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition’s call to raise awareness of modern day slavery and exploitation of vulnerable populations, Executive Director Susan Herman invited LInda Ikeda, RN/MFT and Sarah Kremer of Friends for Youth to lead a session. Their combined presentation underscored the affects of trauma on a child’s ability to attach, the critical need for preventative education for teens, and how impactful a truly committed loving adult can be in helping an at-risk child become a healthy, functioning member of the community. Attendees consisted of volunteers and professionals from all over the Bay Area.
For over 10 years, Pastor Linda Jackson has included the ministry in CCC’s mission program and monthly giving. This past year, CCC hosted Help One Child’s volunteer training for respite providers. Marie McMullin’s band of quilters and sewers created a quilt for every camper at our Signs of Hope Camp and sewed a stocking for all 190 children at our Christmas party. Rev. Shannon Pappas and ministry advocate Jenny Young, both adoptive parents, have taken a strong stance for the ministry. FPCSM now hosts the Parent Child Connection monthly parent support group. Their children’s ministry reaches out through special projects to foster children in need.
Joining the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition’s call to raise awareness of modern day slavery and exploitation of vulnerable populations, Executive Director Susan Herman invited LInda Ikeda, RN/MFT and Sarah Kremer of Friends for Youth to lead a session. Their combined presentation underscored the affects of trauma on a child’s ability to attach, the critical need for preventative education for teens, and how impactful a truly committed loving adult can be in helping an at-risk child become a healthy, functioning member of the community. Attendees consisted of volunteers and professionals from all over the Bay Area.
| Jill Sandy Director, Community Development Help One Child welcomed Jill in February 2011 to lead its recruitment efforts and deepen the ministry’s relationships with participating churches through creative recruitment and volunteer deployment. A foster parent herself, Jill understands firsthand the advocacy a child needs. |
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| Church Recruitment | |
| Participating Churches | 66 |
| Individual Church Presentations | 10 |
| Mission Fairs/Special Events | 8 |
| Conferences / Conventions | 3 |
| Individual Recruitment | |
| Orientation Attendees | 162 |
| New Prospective and In-Process Foster Parents | 18 |
| New Families Receiving Services | 38 |
| New Volunteers | 242 |
Church Participation
The following churches have been directly involved in supporting the mission this fiscal year:
Belmont Congregational Church of Belmont Burlingame First Presbyterian Church Burlingame, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Cupertino Abundant Life Assembly of God, Bethel Lutheran, Peninsula Bible Church Foster City Central Peninsula Church, St Ambrose Episcopal Church Gilroy St. Mary Parish Los Altos Bridges Community Church, Foothill Congregational, Foothill Covenant Church, Los Altos Lutheran Church, St Simon Catholic Church, Union Presbyterian Church, St Nicholas Catholic Church, United Methodist Church Menlo Park First Baptist Church of Menlo Park, Menlo Park Presbyterian ChurchMillbrae Central Peninsula Church Morgan Hill Morgan Hill Bible Church, West Hills Community Church Mountain View First Presbyterian Church Mountain View, Open Door Church, St Paul’s Lutheran Church Palo Alto All Saints’ Episcopal, Covenant Presbyterian Church, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, First United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Grace Presbyterian, Peninsula Bible Church, Unity Palo Alto Community Church, Vineyard Christian Fellowship of the Peninsula Redwood City Peninsula Covenant Church Roseville Valley Springs Presbyterian Church San Carlos Church of the Epiphany, New Hope Peninsula Church, Trinity Presbyterian, Vineyard Church of the Mid Peninsula San Jose Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran, Cornerstone Community Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Creation Lutheran, Queen of Apostles, Santa Teresa, St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, WestGate, Neighborhood Bible Church San Mateo Congregational Church of San Mateo, First Presbyterian Church San Mateo, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Open Door Church, Western Hills Church Santa Clara Calvary Baptist Church, Hope Lutheran Church Saratoga Church of the Ascension, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saratoga, Saratoga Presbyterian Church Sunnyvale Crosswalk Community Church, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, Trinity Church.
Help One Child Ambassador churches (in red) provide funding, host special events, and have a core of volunteers that are engaged in active outreach to foster families in and around their community.
The following churches have been directly involved in supporting the mission this fiscal year:
Belmont Congregational Church of Belmont Burlingame First Presbyterian Church Burlingame, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Cupertino Abundant Life Assembly of God, Bethel Lutheran, Peninsula Bible Church Foster City Central Peninsula Church, St Ambrose Episcopal Church Gilroy St. Mary Parish Los Altos Bridges Community Church, Foothill Congregational, Foothill Covenant Church, Los Altos Lutheran Church, St Simon Catholic Church, Union Presbyterian Church, St Nicholas Catholic Church, United Methodist Church Menlo Park First Baptist Church of Menlo Park, Menlo Park Presbyterian ChurchMillbrae Central Peninsula Church Morgan Hill Morgan Hill Bible Church, West Hills Community Church Mountain View First Presbyterian Church Mountain View, Open Door Church, St Paul’s Lutheran Church Palo Alto All Saints’ Episcopal, Covenant Presbyterian Church, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, First United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Grace Presbyterian, Peninsula Bible Church, Unity Palo Alto Community Church, Vineyard Christian Fellowship of the Peninsula Redwood City Peninsula Covenant Church Roseville Valley Springs Presbyterian Church San Carlos Church of the Epiphany, New Hope Peninsula Church, Trinity Presbyterian, Vineyard Church of the Mid Peninsula San Jose Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran, Cornerstone Community Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Creation Lutheran, Queen of Apostles, Santa Teresa, St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, WestGate, Neighborhood Bible Church San Mateo Congregational Church of San Mateo, First Presbyterian Church San Mateo, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Open Door Church, Western Hills Church Santa Clara Calvary Baptist Church, Hope Lutheran Church Saratoga Church of the Ascension, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saratoga, Saratoga Presbyterian Church Sunnyvale Crosswalk Community Church, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, Trinity Church.
Help One Child Ambassador churches (in red) provide funding, host special events, and have a core of volunteers that are engaged in active outreach to foster families in and around their community.
| Training | Help One Child is dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting those willing to provide a home or services for foster children. |
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Children of Trauma and Loss July 31, 2010 Parents and volunteers learned about trauma affects on the brain and emotions, assessment of indicators and symptoms of trauma, requirements for healing, and treatment for varied types of trauma and levels of severity. Led by Rev. Dr. James Witty |
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Our Most Difficult Kids – Parenting the Prenatally-Exposed Child Nov 16, 2010 Parents learned about the prevalence and range of FASD, how to recognize it in your child and what it’s like from the child’s perspective. General principles of support and intervention were discussed. Led by Kathryn Page, PsyD |
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Reset Day Jan 8, 2011 Past campers and PCC families attended a refresher course on skill-based parenting techniques. 28 Adults, 25 Children and 19 volunteers attended. Led by Don Williams, PsyD and LInda Ikeda, RN/MFT |
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Perspectives on the Teen Years Feb and March 2011 A series of workshops for teens who have experienced separation from birth parents and for the parents who are guiding them now. Each workshop provided pieces of a puzzle that, when put together, helped both parents and teens better understand: Being a Trauma Survivor, Practical Plans of Action, Methods of Healing for Parent and Child. Led by Tom & Ginger Burns, Peter Raap, Don Williams, PsyD, and Linda Ikeda, RN/MFT |
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Power of Connection March 5, 2011 This seminar launched the new San Mateo County support group with a look at life from a child’s perspective, helping parents learn and practice concrete tools to craft emotionally attuned responses, create connections, navigate transitions and use “Action Not Anger” to set limits effectively. Led by Greg Galati MFT and Janaki Tompkins MFT |
Year-Round Resources
The ministry maintains a help line and facilitates volunteer and donation matching with families in need. A lending library of resource books, tapes and DVDs on various parenting topics and other referrals are available.
The ministry maintains a help line and facilitates volunteer and donation matching with families in need. A lending library of resource books, tapes and DVDs on various parenting topics and other referrals are available.
| Regular Trainings | |
| CPR/1st Aid Classes | 8 |
| M-Power Life Skills | 8 |
| You, Me & God | 36 |
| Education and Support Programs | |
| Education Seminars/Trainings | 9 |
| Parent Child Connection (4 locations/month) | 40 |
| Adult Participants | 1520 |
| Child Participants | 1326 |
| Volunteers in Assistance | 892 |
| Help One Child is certified by the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences to grant Continuing Education Units | |
A Meal. A Message A Model.
Aimed at children age 6 to 12 who have experienced a disruption in early childhood development. The curriculum, which includes a healthy dinner, creatively develops skills such as communication, self-esteem, relationships, reciprocity, building character and values, handling emotions, making transitions and following social cues. Volunteer staffed at a ratio of 1:2 
to maximize individual attention while parents take a break for themselves.
“I cannot thank you enough for offering this program. The whole family uses the materials you send home.”
Aimed at children age 6 to 12 who have experienced a disruption in early childhood development. The curriculum, which includes a healthy dinner, creatively develops skills such as communication, self-esteem, relationships, reciprocity, building character and values, handling emotions, making transitions and following social cues. Volunteer staffed at a ratio of 1:2 to maximize individual attention while parents take a break for themselves.
“I cannot thank you enough for offering this program. The whole family uses the materials you send home.”
| Supporting | Help One Child is dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting those willing to provide a home or services for foster children. |
Easter Eggstravaganza - On April 23rd, families of 72 children heard the Easter Story performed by Valley Christian high school volunteers, created holiday crafts and enjoyed an Easter egg hunt.
Mother’s Day Brunch -On May 8th, 30 moms enjoyed a delicious brunch and each other’s company while listening to adoptive mom Marilyn Anaker’s inspirational message.
Tuesday Night Supper Club - Dedicated volunteers work alongside children at San Mateo County’s Receiving Home, preparing and sharing a weekly meal and encouragement.
Parent Child Connection - Professional trainers provide monthly parent support and feedback, teaching related psychological principles and practical methods for improving family dynamics and bonding. Structured childcare is provided at no cost with advance notice.
Publications & Newsletters - For Foster/Adoptive Parents - An e-letter frequently offering donated goods and services. Dividends - An e-letter depicting the home ministry at work. Prayer Team Requests - Weekly emails alert regional team leaders about family prayer requests and praises. Special Needs Emails - When material needs necessary to a foster child’s placement or transition arise, an email alert goes out the ministry supporters.
Giving Tree - Donor generosity at churches and corporations enabled the ministry to deliver 1,660 new Christmas gifts to foster children in home care and group and receving homes throughout our region.
Lisa Carlson was our volunteer extraordinaire this past year, investing countless hours as Camp Director for the ministry’s summer camp for at-risk children. Using her 9 years of experience as a counselor, director, and liaison to MPPC’s staff and dedicated “Impact Group” and other volunteers, Lisa was instrumental in the successful transition of this important program for foster children ages 8-12.
Forty-three remarkable volunteers invested 3,700 service hours in extensive training to be residential counselors and raising the necessary funds for 46 at-risk youth to enjoy a week of swimming, boating, ropes course, zip line, and creatively crafted Bible club activities at Mount Hermon’s Redwood Camp, August 2010.
For three hours on Sunday mornings, foster and adopted children from 5 to 11 years old attend a class designed to enhance their relationship to others and to God. Tammy Greer, MSW, JoAnne Morris, and Diana Mesa teach this class with the help of volunteers, giving parents time to worship and rest.