Spring 2014 - Agape of Central Alabama

Finding permanency for vulnerable and orphaned children.
RECENT
ADOPTIONS
WE'RE
GROWING!
Page 5
page 3
OUR 5 YEAR
VISION
REPORT
page 2
RUNNING
FOR BIRTH
MOM OF
TWINS
Page 4
www.agapeforchildren.org
AUBURN
OUTREACH
Page 5
LI K E O
UR
N EW
LO O K
?
C H EC
K O UT
OU R N
WE BS EW
ITE T O
O!
SPRING 2014
REPORT: FIRST YEAR OF AGAPE'S 5-YEAR VISION
by Emily Thames, Director of Operations
"...for it is God that gives the increase." I Corinthians 3:7
A
look at the chart below makes it
clear. God has work for us to do.
In 2013, 109 children were cared for in
our 36 traditional and enhanced foster
homes. These homes are made of loving,
Spirit-led parents who desire to put
the needs of these children above their
own. Each individual, couple or family
has been trained through Agape and is
supported by a Christian social worker
throughout a placement.
2014 at a Glance
February
Coin Cans Distributed
March 13
From Surviving to Thriving: Agape
Marriage Seminar with Mitch Temple
April 3
Adoption Awareness Event (p.4)
May
National Foster Care
Awareness Month
May 10
Run For a Mom 5k and Fun Run
May 11
Coin Can Collection
August 24
Agape Sunday
Fall(TBA)
Women's Prayer Lunch
October 6
Golf Tournament
October
Christmas For Children begins
October
Agape Pecan Sales
November
National Adoption Awareness Month
November 1
Adoption Celebration
November 2
Orphan Sunday
November- December
Poinsettia Sales
2
This means that 109 children from
really hard places were shown the love
of God by a parent who is equipped
to meet their physical, emotional and
spiritual needs. Now that's amazing.
Of these 109 children, 20 of them
found permanency though adoption into
their foster families. What a blessing
for these boys and girls to not have to
be uprooted again but to find forever
in their new family. Yeah, our Agape
families are truly the heroes!
Each year we see ups and downs of
our work with pregnant women. We
know the need of our compassionate
and non-directive services is there. We
just need a little push to get out there.
the decision to parent. Others choose
to make an adoption plan. We had
two finalized adoptions from Agape
maternity clients during 2013.
PRAYER FOCUS #1: We prayerfully
hope to increase the number of pregnant
women we are able to assist. As you
can see from the chart below, our foster
parents and social workers are truly
working hard! We hope to spend 2014
focusing on maintaining our foster care
numbers and increasing the number of
maternity clients we serve.
Please help us! See what Amber
needs from you concerning our
maternity outreach on page 5.
2013 and 2014 Vision Numbers
80
69
70
60
50
50
50
40
40
30
30
40
42
40
30
30
25
20
20
20
15 15
10
6
9
6
5
10
8
2
0 0 0
0
Traditional
Foster
Children
Traditional
Foster
Homes
Enhanced
Foster
Children
Enhanced
Foster
Homes
Domestic
Adoptions
2013 Vision
Maternity
Clients
2013 Actual
Through some advertising and our new
Maternity Services Coordinator, Amber
Duke, (see page 5), more pregnant
women in crisis are calling us. During
2013, we had many calls, out of which
15 pregnant women accepted our
services in some way. These women
became maternity clients.
Some of these women simply need
an unbiased voice of love in their life.
Some of them are struggling with
5
4
0
International International International
Foster to
Adoptions
Home
Post
Adopt
Studies
Adoption
Finalizations
Reports
Revised Vision 2014
PRAYER FOCUS #2: The numbers
for International Adoptions are lower
due to the delay in receiving our Hague
Accreditation, which came through in
June 2013. We are still exploring how
God wants us to help the global orphan
crisis. We truly need your prayers for
guidance in this. Megan Malinoski, our
Director of Permanency Planning, is
eager for God to lead this portion of the
ministry in His time and for His glory.
e
PERMANENT HOMES
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
by Katlin Rotton, Communications Intern
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows.” Isaiah 1:17
At Agape we love joining families in celebrating adoptions and every year we
witness families displaying God’s love through adoption. Springtime is a time of
newness and growth and many families are experiencing growth during this season
as well. These families have opened their homes and hearts, and we are overjoyed to
celebrate with them.
Marty and Alicia Sexton (cover) are from Greenville, Ala., and attend Walnut Street
Church of Christ. They are excited to finalize the adoption of their precious baby girl
Quinn. “We are so grateful for this blessing the Lord has given us. Quinn has blessed
our lives beyond measure. We are so thankful for Agape and all they do to help children
find permanent families.”
Jack and Julie Johnston, Montgomery, Ala., have served as foster parents for Agape
for 13 years. They are thrilled at the recent finalization of their four-year-old twins
that have been in their home since infancy. Kami Hope and Kevi Joy’s adoptions
were finalized Feb 3. Julie says, “Our verse for the girls and our adoption journey is
Romans 12:12, 'Be JOYful in HOPE, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.'"
Justin and Etta Allen, Tuscaloosa, Ala., are also celebrating this spring as they
welcome their new baby boy, Alexander, into their family permanently. They are
pictured here with the Judge, beaming from ear to ear on their finalization day,
January 22. This bundle of joy is sure to bring them abundant happiness!
Tester and Karen Cook, Birmingham, Ala.,, have served as Andre and Makayla’s
foster parents for years. They are now elated to celebrate their adoption finalization
which took place in November of 2013 and are proud to announce Makaylah and Andre
as permanent members of their family. “Oh happy day! Signed, sealed and delieveredintroducing Andre and Makaylah Cook!”
Eric and Meloney Gwin, Montgomery, Ala., have enjoyed starting this New Year
off with their adoption finalized. They celebrated their finalization in November and
have been thankful to be surrounded by loved ones throughout their adoption process.
"Our Thanksgiving was extra special this year since our adoption finalization was just a
few days prior. We were blessed to have lots of friends and families join us at the court
house to witness Eaven becoming a permanent part of our family."
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and
without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by
bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave
him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:4-5
The Johnstons
The Allens
The Cooks
The Gwins
3
ADOPTION
AWARENESS EVENT
Auburn, AL
April 3, 6pm
TWINS RUN IN THE FAMILY
A
gape will be holding an
Adoption Awareness Event in
Auburn on April 3 to raise awareness
about the adoption needs right here in
Alabama. If you have ever considered
adoption, we want to offer this time
as a way to learn about the process
and encourage you on your adoption
journey, whatever agency you
choose.
We at Agape care for a variety
of children, so we try our best to
make sure we have a variety of
families available to readily meet
the needs of the children and birth
family. At the moment, we are in
need of the following:
-African American families
interested in adopting.
-families interested in adopting a
child from a race other than their
own.
-families interested in pursuing
an open adoption with the childs
birth family.
Join us for this FREE event April 3.
Please watch the events page on
www.agapeforchildren.org to
register and get more info.
Location will be decided asap.
4
An adoptive mom shares why her team “runs for a mom”
By Shana Phillips, adoptive mom & Agape board member
hat do you say to someone who has just given you the most precious gift
you always dreamed of? The day we met Lillian and Isabelle's birth mom
was a day I will always treasure. As my husband and I walked into an Applebee's
on a cold snowy Cleveland day, we came face to face with the woman who changed
our lives forever. A woman who made us a mom and a dad for the first time. As
we embraced, tears flowed from all of our eyes. God took this moment that I had
been so fearful of and opened my eyes to pure sacrificial love. This woman was so
selfless, courageous, and loving.
When I heard that Agape did a "Run for a Mom" 5k, I knew this would be a
great chance to, in a small way, honor Lillian and Isabelle's birth mom. It was
only fitting that our team name be "Twins RUN in the Family." On a day that is
nationally recognized as "Birthmother's Day," my girls, my husband and I, along
with many of our close friends and family, got to race in honor of this special
woman. What made it even better was knowing that we were at the same time
helping Agape raise money to help local birthmothers just like ours. Agape's 5k
was such a memorable day and one that we hope to keep doing with Lillian and
Isabelle for many years to come.
This year's Run For A Mom is May 10. To register or find out more
information visit www.runforamom.org.
Who are you running for?
W
ANONYMOUS
DONATION
SUPRISES STAFF
T
he Lord is blessing our
ministry already this year!
In January we got an
anonymous letter with $2400
in cash in the mail! Thank
you so much for your humble
generosity.
NEW Staff
Natalie Chambers
AUBURN OUTREACH
by Amber Duke, Maternity Services Coordinator
I
am excited about our current efforts to expand Agape's reach in the Auburn area.
We are currently developing relationships in the community to strengthen Agape's
ability to reach out to more women dealing with unplanned or crisis pregnancies,
enabling us to meet their needs and those of their unborn babies.
Unplanned pregnancy brings with it stresses and challenges, and we aim to share
the love of Christ to ensure that women don't have to face it alone. We are able to
provide a compassionate, listening ear, and offer further resources to help them
parent or create an adoption plan for their child.
Can you help me reach the Auburn community through your church, club, work or
social circle? If so, please call 334-272-9466 or email aduke@agapeforchildren.org,
today! Please join us in praying for Auburn and Agape's expanding outreach in the
community.
CHURCH SPOTLIGHT: FRAZER UMC
By Julie Johnston, Community Outreach Coordinator
NEfamily is a ministry of Frazer UMC in Montgomery, AL. It was created to
help families follow God's clear call to care for the orphan. ONEfamily offers
the church education and information on adoption and foster care, as well as support
for families going through the process. They believe that God calls ALL of us to
care for the orphan and offer a variety of ways for their church members to help
those children and the families who care for them. ONEfamily will be partnering
with Agape to host our From Surviving to Thriving marriage seminar on Thursday,
March 13. Thank you Frazer!
O
Social Worker
Birmingham, AL
Natalie graduated
with a BSW from
the University of
Montevallo. She
has since used her
skills to help people
from all walks of
life. Natalie says, “God has led me here
and I’m looking forward to serving
His purpose through joining the Agape
ministry.”
Julie Johnston
Community Outreach Coordinator
Montgomery, AL
Julie has been a part
of the Agape family
since 2000, when
she and her husband,
Jack, served as foster
parents. They have
five children, three
of whom are adopted (See finalization
on Pg. 3). Julie’s heart is to serve foster
and adoptive families. It is her hope
to connect the community and local
churches for the purpose of helping
vulnerable and orphaned children.
Amber Duke
Maternity Services Coordinator
Montgomery, AL
Amber has a BSW
from Minnesota
State University. She
has over 11 years’
experience working
with children
and families. Her
greatest passion is pursuing what
James 1:27 calls “pure and faultless
religion,” caring for widows and
orphans in their time of need. Amber
recently started working at Agape and is
excited about Agape’s mission to serve
children and families in the community.
5
MEMORIALS October 2013-January 2014
In Loving Memory
Lydia Abreo and Michael Abreo
Francis Blase Abreo
Beau Barnett
Juanda Rabb Gaither
Clay Blackwell
Linda and Milton Slauson
Stanley Grier Bonner
Leonard and Susan Bess
Opal Cone Bridges
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Vera Parker Bromley
Luenita Jenkins
Rawden and Ava Bullard
Judy Mims
Jean Bullington
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Coggin
Mary and Doyle Springer
Jack Busbee
Carolyn Parham
Mildred Canerday
Thomas and Wilkie Norman
Mansel Carpenter
Joseph T. Carpenter
Chris Chancey
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Bill Colquett
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Pete Cook
Phil Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Lawrence Baynes
Will Lawrence Baynes
Mrs. Robert Becker
Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Bedsole
Berlin Family Foundation
LaJune Blankenship
Virginia Bowie
Caroline Bradley
David, Michael, and Raymond Cohen
Wes, Elizabeth, Amber, Yates, and Will Cook
Bill and June Dodson
Austin and Sallilu Griffin
Homewood Church of Christ
Beverley Landers
Landmark Church of Christ
Danny and Debi Matthews
Ray Gillliland Melons
Melinda Miller
Sam and Pam Morgan
Bill and Ginger Page
Norman and Melba Parks
Vicki Scott
U.S. Security Systems
Tillery Heating and Air Conditioning
Kelly Weldon
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Mike Williams
Gary and Michele Wise
Derek Craun
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Wayne J. Creed
Sara E. Turnage
Nellie Crews
Hurley and Eloise Crews
6
Ruth Davis
Ralph and Brenda Davis
Jerry and Gaylon Gwin
Myrtice M. Deaver
Stanley E. Adams
Tom DeBray
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Landmark Church of Christ
Aleene Dobalavege
Prattville Church of Christ
Eve Dodd
Billy and Virginia Aultman
James J. Duffy, Jr.
Thomas and Lucy Tankersley
Billy Dunn
James and Sally Thomas
William Enfinger
Steve and Pam Edwards
Don and Linda Torode
Pattie Jo Everage
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Elwood Farris
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Mary Katherine Warren Freeman
Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Deason
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Thomas "Tommy" Moore Freeman
Dan and Charlena Freeman
Adonica Ferguson
Gladys L. Deese
Will and Ann Gardner
Chrys Robbins
Peggy Green
Bubba and Joan Bullington
Jennifer Lacy Greene
Chris Greene
Sherry A. Grinstead
Al and Melba Byrd
John Hackett
Bubba and Joan Bullington
Allison Moore Harris
Sarah Moore
Thomas Guy Hartley 67th Anniversary
Mamie Hartley
Edward Helton
Carolyn Helton
Reed Hendrixson
Bubba and Joan Bullington
Craig Hopson
Ken and Linda Dunham
Hopson and Hopson
Willard Horn
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Bill Huggins
Glen and Virginia Huggins
Steve Hutchins
Bubba and Joan Bullington
Thelma Francis Jackson
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Harold Johnson
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Ruby Jones
Jerry and Gaylon Gwin
Luke Kasarjian
Mary and Doyle Springer
The Wimberly Family
Ethel Knight
George and Margaret Walker
Polly Kranzusch
Darrell and Julie Dapprich and Children
Jack LeBaron
Joel and Camala Flatt
Ethel Lee
Bro. and Sis. T.J. Pedigo
Kathy Leonard
Larry and Retta Phillips
Jesse and Annette Lorren
Kenneth and Charlotte Lorren
Art Lovell
The Burleson Girls and Families
Sherwood McCord
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Shaffer
Miriam Heartsill McGough
Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Boutwell
Bill Mobley
The Burleson Girls and Families
Kenneth F. Moore
Myra Kondrath
Paul and Alice Morgan
Dr. James Morgan
Curtis Nordan
Atkinson/Campbell Care Group
Mary Bridget Peevy
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Harold Pierce
Leon and Kathy Cheshire
Pierce and Nell Flatt
Virginia Hicks and Family
Glen and Virginia Huggins
Hollis and Bea Johnson
Mike and Judy Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Pat Morrow
Mike and Libba Murphree
Henrietta Saliba
Jerry and Loretta Tennison
Jack and Brenda Ware
Bruce and June Wells
J. Woodrow and Sue Porter
M. J. and Necia Porter
Essie Powell
Albert and Jackie Sharpe
Vi Pynes and Ronnie Pynes
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Juanita Rabb
Juanda Rabb Gaither
Joseph Preston Richburg
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Tom Salyer
Prattville Church of Christ
Mary Salyer
Prattville Church of Christ
Francis Sanders
Annette and Jimmy Huett
William A. Sanders
Marie Sanders
Helen Marie Sargent
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Cheatham
Wendell Scroggins
Jim and Janice Barrett
David, Michael, and Raymond Cohen
Ken and Linda Dunham
Joe and Ellen Hamilton
Louis and Nita Hartzog
Martha Oleta Lott
Billy and Cathy McLain
Joe Ann Norris
Mark Seymour
Linda and Milton Slauson
Small Group, Columbia Avenue
Church of Christ
Carole Vandiver
Ronnie Shaver
Mamie Hartley
Fred Simpler
Glen and Virginia Huggins
Lealon Sims
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Cameron Wade Smith
Glen and Virginia Huggins
Ronnie C. Snellgrove
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Alex Stovall
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Dana Streets
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Clara Taylor
John and Linda Herzog
Lillie M. Taylor
Betty Taylor
Mike Taylor
Pam Taylor
Alvin B. Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Mary Wilkes
Cecil Thomas
Larry and Mary Jo Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Shaffer
The Stringers
James and Sally Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
John C. Thompson
Annie Thompson
Zane Thompson
Glen and Virginia Huggins
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Antwane Tillotson
Annette and Jimmy Huett
Betty Vinson
Glen and Virginia Huggins
Addie Churchwell Ward
M. Rebecca Standard
Jean and Ed Welch
Curtis and Linda Jones
William B. Wells
Patsy Wells
MEMORIALS October 2013-January 2014
Annie Ruth Wilkerson
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Harold Wilkes
Mary Wilkes
Don Williams
Norma Williams
Leslie Williams
Pamela Helton
Sarah Jean Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Turner
Willouise Williams
Edith Bryant
Christopher L. "Chris" Willis
Leon and LaRose Willis
Versona Accessories
William A. "Bill" Winston
Ernest and Alliene McArthur
Hilda Young
Paul and Ann Hubbert
In Honor Of
Cody, Chase, and Kristen Adair
Your Grandparents, Billy and Doris Adair
Brittany Ashley
Amy Belcher
Lisa Bagents
Amy Belcher
Marcia Brinsfield
Denise Oliver
Everlie Bolton
Amy Belcher
Bonnie, Kathy, and Renee
Betty Brown
Katie and Nick Burbage
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Christine Carroll
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Francis Carpenter
Joseph T. Carpenter
Deb, Chris, and Chase Carson,
Joel A. McGee
John and Norma McGee
Casey Clark
Amy Belcher
Cindy Clark
Amy Belcher
Rebecca Click
Nikki McElroy
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Coggin
Dr. and Mrs. David Drennen
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davis
Dr. and Mrs. David Drennen
Patsy Davis
Amy Belcher
Tiffany Dean
Amy Belcher
Drs. Tim and Karen Doles
Dr. and Mrs. David Drennen
Max and Sally Duer 50th Anniversary
Your Sons Charles and Becky Elliot
Derek and Leigh Johnson
All Foster Families
Lester and Virginia Mack
Travis and Lindsey Gamble
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Baron and Laura Goins
Beth Haupt
Betty Graham
Debora Graham
Alisha Harbin
Amy Belcher
Laura Harbin
Amy Belcher
Sarah Ellen Harbin
Amy Belcher
Kristi Hopper
Amy Belcher
Iva Kate Hopper
Amy Belcher
Drs. Jade And Malissa Hoy
Dr. and Mrs. David Drennen
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Douglas and Kathy Johnson
Tommy and Taci Johnson
Julie Turner
Douglas and Kathy Johnson
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Julie Turner
Keith and Missy Johnson
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Norma Johnson
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Tommy and Taci Johnson
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Dr. and Mrs. Rex Jones
Ruth Duke
Ashlie Koterba
Amy Belcher
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace McCartha
Dr. and Mrs. David Drennen
McDevitt Family
Michael Jones
Megan Malinoski
Darrell and Julie Dapprich and Children
Billie Moseley
Mary Moseley
John and Norma McGee
Deb Carson
Chip Payne
Derek and Leigh Johnson
AGAPE Staff By Office
JoAnne Payne
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Skye Rodney-Phillips
Bruce and Kanini Phillips
Chris and Mary Pritchett
David, Olivia, Jane and Lauren
Derek and Leigh Johnson
John and Ginger Pritchett
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Dr. Elsa Price
Terry and Bonnie Price
Derek, Kate, and Braden Rudd
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Charlie and Lindsey Sabens
Madeline and Natahlie
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Nettie and Stan Sibley
Kathryn and Charles Rhodes
John David, Caleb, and Seth Streetman,
Grayson Tyra
John and Laurie Tyra
Brenda Summerlin
Amy Belcher
Sharon Sutton
Alex, Will, and Anna
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Turner
Derek and Leigh Johnson
Dr. and Mrs. Allen White
Dr. and Mrs. David Drennen
Leanne Worthington
Amy Belcher
BOARD of Directors
Montgomery Office (Main Office)
P.O. Box 230472 | Montgomery, Ala., 36123 | 334.272.9466 | Fax 334.272.0378
Jimmy Dobbs, Executive Director | Amber Duke, Maternity Services Coordinator
Carol Esco, Adoption Specialist | Nita Hartzog, Executive Assistant | Marlea Johnson, Business Manager
Julie Johnston, Community Outreach Coordinator | Buddy Renahan, Supervisor of Traditional Foster Care
Chrissy Teague, Communications Coordinator | Emily Thames, Director of Operations
Birmingham Office
Clay Benson
Ben Blanchard, Vice Chair
Jay Clark
P.O. Box 36533 | Birmingham, Ala., 35236 | 205.733.9755 | Fax 205.733.9408
Natalie Chambers, Social Worker | Jenny Cummings, Program Manager for Out-of-Home Care
Megan Malinoski, Director of Permanency Planning
Jason Isbell, Secretary
Enterprise Office
John Stewart
Morgan Simpson
P.O. Box 2602 | Daphne, Ala., 36526 | 251.625.1133 | Fax 251.625.1129
Linda Sanders, Social Worker
Mark Sullivan, Treasurer
Mobile Office
John Tyra, Chair
P.O. Box 311541 | Enterprise, Ala., 36331 | 334.393.1990 | Fax 334.393.0224
Patrice Kenney, Social Worker
Alliance: S.T.A.R. and Continuum Staff
Nancy Guilford, Alliance Social Worker, Montgomery | Lea Hunt, Alliance Social Worker, Montgomery
Katie Walker, Alliance Social Worker, Birmingham
Shana Phillips
Carla Percival-Young
7
Agape of Central Alabama
P.O. Box 230472
Montgomery, AL 36123
334.272.9466
800.239.1020
www.agapeforchildren.org
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Montgomery, AL
Permit #282
Return Service Requested
As a ministry of Jesus Christ,
Agape’s mission is that
vulnerable and orphaned
children find permanency in
safe, nurturing families.
CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE A STACK OF
AGAPE NEWSLETTERS OR BROCHURES FOR YOUR OFFICE.
INFO@AGAPEFORCHILDREN.ORG ● 334-272-9466
4TH ANNUAL
RUN FOR A MOM
5K & FUN RUN
Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10
WWW.RUNFORAMOM.ORG