Foster Care, Mentoring Programs And/or Adoption

You can always try calling Catholic Charities to start with or any of the bigger social service agencies. You will have to go through a licensing process before becoming a foster parent. A lot of the agencies also have mentoring programs that you can be a part of. If you decide to become a foster parent, I am the coordinator of a program funded through The Department of Children and Family Services called the Foster Family Support Program. Our goal is to support foster families and stop some of the "bouncing" that foster children face. This program depending on your area is in several areas around the Chicagoland and West and Northwest suburbs. You can find the program through your local Family Focus office or you can contact me for more information. Good luck!!!

2 moms found this helpful

May G-d bless you for your abundance of kindness. There are so many children in need of someone stable like you.

Hi E.! I'm in a similar situation, blessed with one and highly doubtful for #2. Before having my daughter (which was a complete lucky fluke) I attended this ABC's of adoption sponsored by Resolve. It gives a great overview of different adoption options (domestic, open vs closed, international). Speakers include adoptive parents, adopted children, birthmoms, etc. I don't remember them talking about foster care route, but as others mentioned DCFS is a great resource. Much luck to you! In my mind, nothing is better than having a brother or sister!!!!!!!!

http://greatlakes.resolve.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&a...

Forgot to mention that Resolve also has wonderful bulletin boards too! Technically they are hard to work with, but they are well attended and a great resource.

Dear E.,

Call DCFS and tell them you are interested in being a foster parent. They will help you get started. I called them and talked to them about it. They walk you trough every thing. I have the local number for woodstock.
B.

For mentoring - Big Brother/sister group
For foster care you can call DCFS, Maryville Academy in Des Plaines Il., or Lydia House on Irving Park Rd. has a fostering program that attempts to get the children into a temp. good home before they hit the system.

Do a web search, there are tons of options out there and tons of kids. Let us know how it goes...

Contact Aunt Martha's in Chicago Heights, they would be able to tell you.
M.

You can also try your local Big Brothers/Big Sisters for mentoring.

E.,

Oprah had a guest on just recently asking for people to mentor kids. If you go to Oprah's website you can learn more about it. I think the organization is called Essence.

Have you ever thought about adopting embryo(s)? There is an organization called Snowflakes that does this. It is a christian organization. (Just a thought)

Best Wishes!