Junior League of Ohio

The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America was honored to present during the 2013 Junior League of Ohio's fall meeting, on the topic of Challenges Facing Youth Aging Out of Care.

2013 junior league presentation from Lisa Dickson

2013 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2013 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together took place in Columbus at Reynoldsburg City Schools' eStem Academy.

Event Sponsors included:

• Reynoldsburg City Schools
• National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus Section
• Ohio Attorney General's Office
• Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America
• Made from Scratch
• Dave Thomas Foundation
• Franklin County Children Services
• Village Network ~ Columbus

Additional Sponsors:

• EMK Press donated raffle prizes
• Foster Youth Advocacy Center assisted with logistics

Planning Committee Members:

• Lisa Dickson, Dauntea Sledge, Kelly St. John, and Doris Edelmann, ACTION Ohio
• Ann Bischoff, LINK 22
• Melinda Sykes, Ohio Attorney General's Office
• Regina Douglas, Franklin County Children Services
• Randi Lewis ,National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus Section
• Jen Foster, Village Network ~ Columbus
• Reynoldsburg City Schools High School Leo Club

2013 NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together

The 2013 Northeast Thanksgiving Dinner took place in Cleveland on November 16th: (link to more photos) 

This event was held at St. Colman Church. Sponsors included: Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services, the National Council of Jewish Women: Cleveland Section, St. Colman Catholic Church, Antioch Baptist Church, Adoption Network Cleveland, the Purple Project, Fostering the Soul, and the Dave Thomas Foundation.

Planning Committee:

• Joe Jackson, Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services
• Lisa Dickson, ACTION Ohio
• Beth Dawson, The Development Project
• Betsie Norris, Adoption Network Cleveland
• Ilah Adkins
• LaTasha Watts, The Purple Project

2013 SW Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2013 SW Ohio Thanksgiving Together took place in Cincinnati at The People's Church.

Event Sponsors included:

• The People's Church
• The Dave Thomas Foundation
• Foster Care Alumni of America Ohio chapter

Additional Support and Sponsorship:

• EMK Press donated additional raffle prizes
• HEMI mentors provided transportation as needed for their mentees
• Kroger assisted with flowers for centerpieces
• Saint Paul Community United Methodist Church provided pumpkins for centerpieces

Planning Committee Members:

• Katie Deyo, The People's Church and Coalition of Care.
• Lisa Dickson and Doris Edelmann, ACTION Ohio
• Val Bairnsfather, Safe Pastures Transitional Living
• Annie Schellenger, HEMI
• Pat McCollum, SWOFCA

2013 FCAA Ohio Thanksgiving Reunions

A place where foster care teens, emancipated youth and adult alumni are always welcome.

Having experienced foster care ourselves, we know that holidays can be difficult.

Let's come together - share our strength and insights, rejoice in how far we have come.

Let's encourage one another for the next step in the journey....

Every year since 2007, Thanksgiving has been a time for Ohio foster care youth (ages 16+), alumni and allies/adult supporters to gather together.

This year, the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni is holding three Thanksgiving events, with help from our valued supporters:

1.) SOUTHWEST OHIO THANKSGIVING:
The Southwest Ohio Thanksgiving will take place in Cincinnati.

• Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013
• Time: From noon - 2:30 pm 
• Location: The People's Church, 220 William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati OH 45219
• Registration is free, but required: Please click here to register.

2.) NORTHEAST OHIO THANKSGIVING
The Northeast Ohio Thanksgiving will take place in Cleveland:

• Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013 
• Time: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm 
• Location: St. Colman Church, 2027 W. 65th St., Cleveland OH 44102 
• Registration is free, but required: Please click here to register.

3.) CENTRAL/SOUTHEAST OHIO THANKSGIVING
The Central/Southeast Ohio Thanksgiving will take place in Columbus:

• Date: Sunday, November 24, 2013 
• Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm 
• Location: eStem Academy, 8579 Summit Road, Reynoldsburg OH 43068  *(Part of Reynoldsburg High School's Summit Campus) 
• Registration is free, but required: Please click here to register.

FINAL NOTE OF THANKS:

The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America wants to express our appreciation, once more to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, for their generous donation towards the cost of all three FCAA Ohio Thanksgiving Events.

2013 Ohio CASA Conference

During 19th annual Ohio CASA conference, the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America facilitated a youth panel/workshop, made up of representatives from the OHIO Youth Advisory Board, on the topic of "Resources for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Living On Their Own."

Partners for Forever Families Symposium, Sept. 19-20, 2013

During the third annual Partners for Forever Families Symposium, the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America facilitated a youth panel and subsequent workshop on the topic of "Resources for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Living On Their Own."