Friday, October 12, 2012

Orphan Sunday- Nov 4, 2012

God invites us to join with him in caring for the fatherless.
Everyone is welcome on SUNDAY, NOV. 4TH AT NOON.
Come for orphan care myth busting and hear how God has met us.
Family-style chili and fixins will be provided.
Childcare for ages Kindergarten and under, will follow after lunch.
Click image below for Google doc sign up.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

WEPC Partners with Lifesong for Orphans


Here at WEPC, adoption and orphan care reflect the heart of God. We seek to be missional in
our living as a community and individuals. One way many folks have decided to live out their
faith is through adoption. Whatever brings you to this place of considering adoption, as a
church, we want to come alongside you!

We know God is doing something special as he blesses children and families through adoption.
For many though, the upfront financial challenges may be one of the greatest hurdles to moving
forward. In response to this, WEPC has established the WEPC Adoption Assistance Fund.
Through matching grants and interest-free loans, the WEPC Fund is able to help qualified
families in a tangible way as they follow God’s leading.

Many adoption stories are unfolding here! We would like to be part of your adoption journey.
We pray regularly that God would allow us to be a community of faith expressing itself in love.
Our Love On a Mission group and deacons want you to know, you’re in good hands...HIS
HANDS that love you...and the fatherless!

WEPC partners with Lifesong for Orphans to administer the Adoption Fund. Lifesong for
Orphans is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt orphan care and adoption ministry that helps churches across
the country establish and administer adoption assistance funds.

Lifesong exclusively handles the application process (and all confidential information involved
in the application process) and provides the administrative and operational support needed to
evaluate applicants, make decisions regarding grants and loans and handle contributions and
disbursements for the WEPC Adoption Fund. WEPC, on the other hand, encourages those who
would like financial assistance to apply, walks alongside and prays with and for families. In
addition, WEPC encourages those that want to support adoptions to do so through donating to
the fund or directly to a family through their established Fund with Lifesong.

How the Adoption Fund Works

The Adoption Fund provides matching grants and/or interest-free covenant loans to applicants
who meet the established parameters described below. Lifesong makes all decisions regarding
whether qualified applicants are given funds for matching grants and/or interest-free covenant
loans based on various factors, including the amount of money in the WEPC Adoption Fund at
the time of application, the applicant’s financial situation and adoption-related needs, and the
way in which to best maximize the resources of the WEPC Adoption Fund.  Following approval
by Lifesong, all disbursements of matching grants and/or interest-free covenant loans are made
by LifeSong directly to the applicant’s adoption agency. 

In connection with the Adoption Fund, LifeSong handles all aspects of the application process,
including evaluation and verification of all financial and other confidential information.  No one
from WEPC has access to any of your confidential information, and all final decisions regarding
the award of any matching grant and/or interest-free covenant loan are made solely by LifeSong.

The requirements to be eligible for a matching grant or interest-free covenant loan from the
Tapestry Fund are:
  • applicants need to provide a statement of their personal faith in Jesus Christ
  • applicants must establish their need for financial assistance in connection with an
  • adoption by fully completing the application process
  • applicants need to have an approved home study conducted by a licensed social worker
  • applicants must have a letter of recommendation from a member of the WEPC leadership
  • team or a pastor in their church
The funds available in the WEPC Adoption Fund will be available to be allocated to qualified
applicants according to the following priority: first, to members of West End Presbyterian
Church; second, to those who are not members, but who are regular and active part of West End
Presbyterian Church; and third, to those who are affiliated as members or active with our sister
churches.

For application click here.


Help Families Meet the Financial Challenge of Adoption

The WEPC Adoption Fund is a great way to provide much needed financial support for Christian
families seeking to adopt.  All contributions to the WEPC Adoption Fund are made through
LifeSong and are fully tax deductible, with 100% of all contributions being used to provide
matching grants and interest-free covenant loans to qualified families.

You can make a tax-deductible contribution to the WEPC Adoption Fund by sending your check to:
Lifesong for Orphans
c/o WEPC Adoption Fund (West End Presbyterian Church)
P.O. Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744

“WEPC Fund (West End Presbyterian Church)” in the description field so that your contribution
is properly directed to the general fund. 
Or write a specific family's name (if they have been have applied and been approved) in the description field so that your contribution is properly directed to that family.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Local Foster Care Programs

We wanted to provide a place to see many of the upcoming training opportunities in RVA to reach out to children who need the love of Jesus and  someone who cares about them! By no means is this a comprehensive list, but includes where we have contacts and experience. Each meets a unique need in the community so note their area of focus. There are some wonderful folks in these organizations advocating for kids and need folks to come alongside them!
The basic requirements for becoming a foster parent are as follows:
  • Be 21 years of age and older, single or married
  • Be financially self-sustaining 
  • Participate in a home study 
  • Have adequate space for sleeping and indoor activities 
  • Attend specialized training for dealing with abused or neglected children 
  • Agree to background checks for criminal history and child abuse and neglect
  • Obtain a tuberculosis test (TB)
  • Permit home fire and health inspections
  • Have pets vaccinated annually
Adoptive families go through chosen adoption agency for home study and adoption process.
Henrico County Social Services
Sharon Wilkerson-Gilpin, B.S.
Foster Care & Adoptions Assistant
8600 Dixon Powers DR Henrico, VA 23273
(804) 501-5518
wil29@co.henrico.va.us
Offer PRIDE training to be eligible for Fostering with ability to proceed to foster to adopt.
We have a great need for prospective foster parents willing to parent tweens and teens.
Henrico County's CASA program
CASA volunteers are Court-Appointed Special Advocates, trained community
volunteers appointed by a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge to advocate in court for children who are abused, neglected and otherwise in need of services. CASA volunteers offer children encouragement, stability, and hope during a complex and critical time in their lives.
UMFS - United Methodist Family Services
3900 West Broad Street
Anyone interested in learning more about Treatment Foster Care can contact:
Tammy Franges, Resource Parent Liaison
(804) 353-4461 ext. 1310

tfranges@umfs.org
Adoption and foster care agency that offers PRIDE training; Will conduct a MA (mutual assessment) where families can ask ?s and determine if this is a good fit.
*need is for preteen and older teen families
Upcoming Richmond Training:
Sat. 10/27           9am-5 pm
Sat. 11/3             9am-5 pm
Tues. 11/6           6 pm- 9pm
Sat. 12/8             9am-5pm
Sat. 12/15           9am-5 pm
Tues. 12/18        6pm-9pm
Chester Training:
Sat. 11/3             9am-5pm

Sat. 11/10           9am-5pm

Tues. 11/13        6pm-9pm
Katie Sitterson, Adoption Worker(804) 288-0122
Email: ksitterson@lfsva.org

Offers adoption and treatment foster care services
*need families for children 10 years and older
CHSVA - Children!s Home Society of VA
Laura Ash-Brackley

4200 Fitzhugh Ave, Richmond, VA 23230-3829

(804) 353-0191
Adoption agency focused on adoption of children from foster care*need families for adoption of older children
CHS typically schedules training 6 sessions in a row. Families are invited to participate in training and we scheduled trainings in the fall and spring depending on the need. When families complete our training/home study they are eligible for foster to adopt. If families want to provide foster care they need to participate in DSS's training.

BAIR foundation
Kara Brooks
(804) 288-8210
Christian Foster Care
Classes are offered free of charge and there is no obligation to become certified if you attend the courses. Both parents are required to attend all classes to become certified with Bair, however classes do not have to be taken in order. Please have people call the office at 804-288-8210 or email kbrooks@bair.org with questions about the classes or to RSVP.