2014 NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2014 NE Ohio Thanksgiving dinner took place at Saint Ignatius High School on Sat. Nov. 15, from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Sponsors included:

• Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services
• National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section
• St. Colman Catholic Church
• Antioch Baptist Church
• Adoption Network Cleveland
• Fostering the Soul
• The Purple Project
• Dave Thomas Foundation
• ACTION Ohio

Additional Support and Sponsorship details:

• Adoption Network Cleveland donated 10 gift cards, and assisted with volunteers and beverages
• Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services provided the meal, and received a donation for event photography
• Fill This House donated 9 gift cards
• Fostering the Soul donated additional gift cards, and toiletry items
• Junior League of Cleveland donated toiletry items
• NCJW Cleveland created knitted scarves and hats, and donated toiletry items
• The Purple Project donated toiletry items
• St. Ignatius High School students assisted with set-up, decoration, and serving, as part of their service hours
• ACTION Ohio provided 150 drawstring bags, raffle prizes, baby clothes, Suits for Success, and toiletry items

Planning Committee Members:

• Danielle Green-Welch, Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services
• Lisa Dickson, ACTION Ohio
• Betsie Norris, Adoption Network Cleveland
• Ilah Adkins
• LaTasha Watts, The Purple Project
• Beth Dawson, The Development Project and Fostering the Soul

2014 SW Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The Southwest Ohio Thanksgiving Together took place at The People's Church on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 from noon - 2:30 pm.

Event Sponsors included:

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

Additional Support and Sponsorship details:

• HEMI mentors will provide transportation as needed for their mentees
• Home Emporium donated picnic baskets for leftovers
• The Forgotten Initiative provided 24 gift bags for the children of foster care alumni
• Small groups at The People's Church created 20 gift baskets, and received a donation of 300 totes
• Montgomery County donated toiletry items
• Saint Paul Community United Methodist Church donated pumpkins for centerpieces

Planning Committee Members:

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

2014 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference

In 2014, the Ohio Reach Summit and the Connecting the Dots conference were combined for the purpose of "Fostering Pathways to Success."

One resource available during this conference was Suits for Success, a program initiated by the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, in partnership with the Ohio State Bar Association.

2014 Advocates for Families First Training

From Oct. 27 - Oct. 30, 2014, Lisa Dickson of the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America participated in advocacy training hosted by NACAC and Advocates for Families First.

She was accompanied by Betsie Norris of Adoption Network Cleveland, Rhonda Marsh of Richland County's Kinship Navigator Program and Beth Philley, OCWTP trainer and CASA volunteer.

Foster Care Alumni Panel during Community Forum ~ Ohio Fostering Connections

On September 17, 2014, the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America participated in a panel during the Central Ohio community forum of Ohio Fostering Connections. Lisa Dickson, FCAA Ohio Communications Chair, served as Panel Moderator.

Foster Care Alumni Focus Group ~ Ohio Fostering Connections

On September 14, 2014, the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America participated in a Foster Care Alumni Focus Group for Ohio Fostering Connections.

This activity was hosted by Illumination Studio, and facilitated by FCAA Ohio ally Ann Bischoff of Starfish Alliance and LINK-22 and alumna Jennifer Scott.

FCAA Ohio members Lamar Graham, DC Curry, Nicole Chinn and Lisa Dickson had a wonderful time facilitating our first independent living class of the fall at Village Network.

Activities included:

• Tour of the Heart to Heart Food Pantry
• Stocking the shelves
• Learning about how to navigate the COTA bus schedule online
• Learning how to search for resources on Hands On Central Ohio's website