2011 Adoption Celebration

On Saturday, November 5th at 1 pm, STAR 88.3 presents the 13th Annual Adoption Celebration at Sonrise Church (10125 Illinois Road), hosted by Melissa Montana.

The event includes information on adoption, music, a slideshow featuring the adoptive families in attendence, and much more. Doors open at 12:30.

Prior to the program, you will have a chance to check out several adoption agencies with information booths. Entertainment (including face paint and balloon animals) will be provided by Sweetcakes Entertainment.

Following the program, there will be snacks for all to enjoy during a time of fellowship. The information booths will also reopen at this time for another chance to learn more.

This event is perfect for anyone considering adoption and adoptive families. Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, and family!

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In addition to celebrating adoptive families in northeastern Indiana, each year, Melissa takes a collection to help an adoptive family. This year, the collection will go to help a Pathway Family.

The money received will be placed in Pathway's True Vine Life Song account to be distributed as matching grants to our families who are adopting.

Pre-adoptive families should note that we do have monies available to Pathway families who would like to apply for matching grants.  Contact us for the Pathway LifeSong Application.

Book Review: Adopt Without Debt by Julie Gumm

"There is not one example in the Bible of God calling someone to do something and then using debt as a tool to accomplish it." - Dave Ramsey

These words slammed Julie Gumm in 2007, just as she and her husband Mark embarked on a journey to adopt a sibling pair, aged six and eight from Ethiopia.

The gazelle-intensity learned in Financial Peace University provided Julie and Mark the practical foundation for living debt-free and financial freedom to serve others. With these tools and faith in God's provision, Julie and Mark committed to adopt their children without borrowing a penny.

The first two questions asked by any prospective adoptive parent are "where do I start?" and "how much will it cost?"...the unfortunate truth is that with the market tanking and our national credit rating taking a hit, finances are a real challenge in our society. Our personal financial situation impacts our sense of freedom to follow God's calling, but our God is HUGE and He will partner with us to provide when we commit to doing things His way.

Julie tells a story of just that. Gazelle intensity and hard work brought Julie and Mark out of a debt that, if left to grow, would have held them back from the future plans God had for them. Once their slavery to debt was cut free, God provided ministry opportunities to Julie and Mark that reduced their family income dramatically. Still, they heard his call to adopt and knew that He would provide.

But Julie doesn't stop with just sharing her story. Much of her book is dedicated to teaching about finding grants and maximizing the money gained from selling your "stuff." Further, Julie shares step-by-step guides to holding fundraisers and engaging your wider community of family and friends to help in creative ways.

With this engaging book, Julie has destroyed the excuse of "it costs too much to adopt." God calls us to care for the widow and the orphan. While He's unlikely to airdrop a pallet of cash in the back yard, He provides by sharing battle plans through people like Julie.

Adoption can be expensive, but it doesn't have to lead to debt. Julie and Mark Gumm's story is proof, and her easy-to-read, practical advice will help any family achieve their own commitment to a debt-free adoption.

Pathway families can borrow a copy of Adopt Without Debt from the True Vine Lending Library. To order your own copy, or to learn more about Julie and her adoption journey, visit her blog here.

How To Raise Money For Adoption

When you tell people you are going to adopt, you often get asked, "isn't adoption so expensive?" HMMMM....How to answer?! A lot depends on the type of adoption you are doing, foster to adopt, domestic or international. Is the agency have a sliding scale for fees? Are you able to secure grants? Are you able to get a state subsidy for living expenses for a child considered special needs or "at risk"? The bottom line is, yes it does cost money to adopt, as there are a lot of people involved at many level and a lot of paperwork, along with fingerprinting, homestudies, follow up visits, etc. I always tell people, NEVER let money be a deciding factor on whether or not you adopt. If it is God's will, HE will provide. I have seen amazing things in the adoption world. A family that had 2 children, got pregnant during the adoption process adopted internationally. They did this all on 1 salary, consisting off a part-time youth pastor and part-time bus driver! Another family I know began an international adoption with $300!! You know the 'ol saying, where there is a will, there is a way:)

That being said, how do you raise and obtain funds needed for adoption? Check out the sites down the right side of the blog for grants. Be willing to apply more than once, even if you are initially turned down.

Check out:
http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/adoptionsubsidy.html
I know a family that adopted a child from foster care that gets a monthly stipend for that child until he is in college. The state often looks it at as cheaper to assist on the front end vs a child who becomes delinquent without the support of a family.

Ask your agency if they offer no interest loans or grants. Sometimes this information isn't in print:) Ask about sliding scale fees or payment schedules.


More fund raising ideas:
http://www.findstuff.com/home/search/index?uvx=jI93I1X2AnOa0Yt1W5aoRnaH0hNh01nHZ2SA0L6zt5FIWnYK0CJxfDkGASqvhpwFbR0wnMGWpW9XpwOpFgpLlzoPXcUEeXIeNSuknWZ31UU4_dLFAOaw19tMhjTHhXpcmgta4kfhfC7Jszneku0-GsA67twOnT8U
and
http://dyn.adknowledge.com/search/?mk=us&query=fund+raising&kwp=62&kwid=111887&ip=173.69.124.58&lid=610&catid=756

Ideas from Amy D on how to raise money for adoption:
*Downsize your car to one with no payments and save the $$
*Work overtime or get a 2nd job
*Cut your budget and saved the $$
*Sell items on Ebay
*Hold Raffles
*Compile and sell cookbooks
*Sell Ornaments (there are tons of companies that will give a percentage of the profits for your adoption...Tastefully Simple, Junk Posse, Pampered Chef, Gold Parties, ect.....)
*Ask for donations to your adoption fund instead of gifts for bdays, christmas ect...
*Sent out fundraising letters to let others know of your need.
*Use Frequent flyer miles, hotel miles, credit card point to pay for your travel
*Hold yard sale/garage sale (ask family and friends to donate)
*Hold Pancake bfast/spaghetti suppers...with silent auctions/raffles
*Hold fundraising concerts
*Hold fundraising walks/runs

Sometime the answer is just time. After we made the decision to adopt, we waited almost 3 years to begin the process, so we could secure the finances.

What other suggestions do you have?