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May 6th, 2013
FLUX
Did you know that you are more likely to complete the climb of Mt. McKinley than graduate from high school if you are in the flux of foster care? Approximately 50% of all youth in foster care will not graduate high school or receive a GED.
Celebrate the amazing accomplishment of these students with us by donating a door prize item or serving at "FLUX", a graduation party to honor those completing high school while in foster care. Click on the picture to learn more about the realities of kids aging out or click HERE to give to the party!
April 25th, 2012
- 2900 North Council Road
Bethany, OK 73008 - Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM (PDT)
(Click on the picture on the left to register!)
April 13th, 2013
The mission of The Tux & Tiaras Project is to raise awareness and educate young people, parents, and community members about the rise in high risk behaviors during prom season. Our outreach efforts are aimed at helping teens who wish to attend their prom but lack the financial resources.
You can help by volunteering at the teen giveaway event Saturday, April 13th. Click the logo to learn more!
If you know of a teen in need of FREE prom wear please click the logo, then the "contact us" tab and nominate them to recieve FREE formal wear for their prom.
You can help by volunteering at the teen giveaway event Saturday, April 13th. Click the logo to learn more!
If you know of a teen in need of FREE prom wear please click the logo, then the "contact us" tab and nominate them to recieve FREE formal wear for their prom.
February 16th, 2013
Emergency Kinship Support Spring Clean!
We are proud to join our Impact Partners, The Spero Project and The HUB mission ministry, to resource kinship families to be able to take a child into their home on a moments notice. We will be delivering an emergency supply of food or a bed/crib when it will make a difference between a child being placed in a familiar home verses spending another night in the shelter.
JOIN US at 4646 S. Santa Fe, Oklahoma City to clean and sort the warehouse
RSVP to Kristy at OKFW.emerkinship@gmail.com
Click on the picture to learn more about how you can support an emergency placement for a child in foster care.
We are proud to join our Impact Partners, The Spero Project and The HUB mission ministry, to resource kinship families to be able to take a child into their home on a moments notice. We will be delivering an emergency supply of food or a bed/crib when it will make a difference between a child being placed in a familiar home verses spending another night in the shelter.
JOIN US at 4646 S. Santa Fe, Oklahoma City to clean and sort the warehouse
RSVP to Kristy at OKFW.emerkinship@gmail.com
Click on the picture to learn more about how you can support an emergency placement for a child in foster care.
Every Christmas Season
OK Foster Wishes is looking for organizations, businesses and individuals to partner with for the Christmas season. Click HERE to learn how you can partner with us to receive and fulfill individual personal wish list's from Oklahoma children in foster care.
We will begin distributing wishlist's from individual foster children in November. Our final collection date will be December 18th.
We look for commitments from community partners for Christmas 2012. Click on the logo on the left & read how you can GIVE & SERVE.
November 23rd thru New Years Eve 2013
Stone Christmas Lights
Make sure to start a new family tradition of visiting the amazing Stone Christmas Lights in Edmond, Oklahoma.
This year we are so excited to partner with Stone Christmas Lights to help raise funding to provide Christmas gifts to the over 9,000 children in the Oklahoma Foster Care program. You will have the opportunity to donate while viewing the show and in return will receive some Christmas music that will brighten your holiday. To launch on Friday, November 23rd at 6pm. Show will run nightly from 6-10pm with extended hours til 11pm on weekends. Tune in at 100.9 FM.
Be sure to let us know what you think on our Facebook page too!
Click on the picture for more information, location and a preview of some of the amazing music!
Make sure to start a new family tradition of visiting the amazing Stone Christmas Lights in Edmond, Oklahoma.
This year we are so excited to partner with Stone Christmas Lights to help raise funding to provide Christmas gifts to the over 9,000 children in the Oklahoma Foster Care program. You will have the opportunity to donate while viewing the show and in return will receive some Christmas music that will brighten your holiday. To launch on Friday, November 23rd at 6pm. Show will run nightly from 6-10pm with extended hours til 11pm on weekends. Tune in at 100.9 FM.
Be sure to let us know what you think on our Facebook page too!
Click on the picture for more information, location and a preview of some of the amazing music!
December 7th, 2012
An Evening with Jami Smith...
Be entertained at an intimate Christmas concert with Christian recording artist, Jami Smith, while enjoying spirits and delights from The Wedge, Bin 73 & more! Oklahoma Employee's Credit Union is hosting a private concert to benefit OK Foster Wishes on Friday, December 7th at their newest location overlooking our great State Capitol building.
Click on Jami's picture for more information and to pre-purchase tickets at a discount!
Be entertained at an intimate Christmas concert with Christian recording artist, Jami Smith, while enjoying spirits and delights from The Wedge, Bin 73 & more! Oklahoma Employee's Credit Union is hosting a private concert to benefit OK Foster Wishes on Friday, December 7th at their newest location overlooking our great State Capitol building.
Click on Jami's picture for more information and to pre-purchase tickets at a discount!
December 4th, 11th & 18th 2012
#GiveLOCALTuesday BRKFST w/ @oecu!
Join Oklahoma's Employee Credit Union for a mighty good breakfast at The Wedge and spread holiday cheer by donating a toy to be given as a Christmas gift to a child in Oklahoma's foster care system.
12/4 7:30-9:30am at @wedgepizza GIVE unwrapped toy ($15 value) for @okfosterwishes, get $1 off!
Join Oklahoma's Employee Credit Union for a mighty good breakfast at The Wedge and spread holiday cheer by donating a toy to be given as a Christmas gift to a child in Oklahoma's foster care system.
12/4 7:30-9:30am at @wedgepizza GIVE unwrapped toy ($15 value) for @okfosterwishes, get $1 off!
November 5th & 12th, 2012
BAG BUILD - We need lots of busy elves to help put together the almost 9,000 Christmas Wish Lists of Oklahoma's children in foster care!
Can you help?
Join us at LifeChurch.tv MidWest City Campus, 6809 E. Reno from 4pm - 7pm on Mondays November 5th & 12th.
RSVP to liz.poteet@okfosterwishes.com
Can you help?
Join us at LifeChurch.tv MidWest City Campus, 6809 E. Reno from 4pm - 7pm on Mondays November 5th & 12th.
RSVP to liz.poteet@okfosterwishes.com
October 22nd & 26th, 2012
OKDHS Bridge Resource Parent Conferences Underway - Three Bridge Resource Parents "Soaring to New Heights" conferences have been scheduled in the state. The first conference was held in Tulsa on Sept. 14, 2012. Bridge Resource Parents care for children through foster care, legal guardianship and adoption.
Upcoming conference dates: 10/22 in OKC and 10/26 in McAlester.
Click OKDHS logo for more info and to register.
Upcoming conference dates: 10/22 in OKC and 10/26 in McAlester.
Click OKDHS logo for more info and to register.
October 16th & 18th, 2012
The 111 Orientation is designed to help families discover the unique vantage point of fostering as a family of faith. We'll discuss the foundation of why and how we minister to both children in our home and their families; we'll talk about specific situations that may arise for us as church-attenders; and we'll answer questions about the process of becoming and being a foster family. Child care and dinner provided. Please rsvp to wynter@thesperoproject.com and include number of children requiring child care.
OKC: Every third Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:30p.m.,1104 N. Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
TULSA: Every third Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30pm, Southern Hills Baptist Church, 5590 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74105
OKC: Every third Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:30p.m.,1104 N. Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
TULSA: Every third Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30pm, Southern Hills Baptist Church, 5590 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74105
October 13th, 2012
Saturday 10/13/12 at 6:30pm on OKC's Channel 9
Found Causes will be airing a foster care special featuring OK Foster Wishes and many of our other Impact Partners to show ways to connect by serving foster children in Oklahoma. Also, our own Guy & Lisa Feist, will share their family's journey of fostering and adoption.
Don't miss it! Invite your friends over to watch together and discuss what way best suits your family or group.
Found Causes will be airing a foster care special featuring OK Foster Wishes and many of our other Impact Partners to show ways to connect by serving foster children in Oklahoma. Also, our own Guy & Lisa Feist, will share their family's journey of fostering and adoption.
Don't miss it! Invite your friends over to watch together and discuss what way best suits your family or group.
October 9th, 2012
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2012, NOON TO 1 P.M.
OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER
DEBORAH SHROPSHIRE, M.D. , PEDIATRICIAN, OU CHILDREN’S PHYSICIANS AND FOUNDER, FOSTERING HOPE PROJECT
Presents;
FOSTERING HOPE: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN FOSTER CARE
Click here to pre-register.
Children in foster care have higher rates of disease than their peers, and as a group they experience poorer health and social outcomes as adults. Can these outcomes be changed?
Deb Shropshire is a pediatrician with OU Children's Physicians in Oklahoma City. She provides medical care to children at the Pauline Mayer foster shelter and in the Fostering Hope clinic at OU, and also serves as the medical director for foster care for OKDHS, assisting case workers, working on projects related to foster health issues, and providing training on the health of foster kids. She loves to engage her audience in the story of foster kids, and to encourage others to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves".
The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma's emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other.
All lectures are free and open to the public. OKDHS staff can receive training credit for this event. CEUs are available for social workers. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at 405-521-3552. View the complete lecture series lineup at: Practice and Policy Lecture Series website (Link opens in new window)
OKDHS Attendees receive 20% off purchase at the Winnie Mae Cafe. Please arrive early if you plan to purchase lunch.
Connie Schlittler, LCSW, MPA
OK Department of Human Services
405-521-2907
Connie.schlittler@okdhs.org
OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER
DEBORAH SHROPSHIRE, M.D. , PEDIATRICIAN, OU CHILDREN’S PHYSICIANS AND FOUNDER, FOSTERING HOPE PROJECT
Presents;
FOSTERING HOPE: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN FOSTER CARE
Click here to pre-register.
Children in foster care have higher rates of disease than their peers, and as a group they experience poorer health and social outcomes as adults. Can these outcomes be changed?
Deb Shropshire is a pediatrician with OU Children's Physicians in Oklahoma City. She provides medical care to children at the Pauline Mayer foster shelter and in the Fostering Hope clinic at OU, and also serves as the medical director for foster care for OKDHS, assisting case workers, working on projects related to foster health issues, and providing training on the health of foster kids. She loves to engage her audience in the story of foster kids, and to encourage others to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves".
The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma's emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other.
All lectures are free and open to the public. OKDHS staff can receive training credit for this event. CEUs are available for social workers. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at 405-521-3552. View the complete lecture series lineup at: Practice and Policy Lecture Series website (Link opens in new window)
OKDHS Attendees receive 20% off purchase at the Winnie Mae Cafe. Please arrive early if you plan to purchase lunch.
Connie Schlittler, LCSW, MPA
OK Department of Human Services
405-521-2907
Connie.schlittler@okdhs.org
October 7th, 2012
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October 6th, 2012
1 Day + 2 Charities + 5k + 7 Tons of Mud + 15 Obstacles = The Dirty 30 http://www.dirty30race.com/
OK Foster Wishes is excited to be 1 of the 2 charities to benefit from this great event! JOIN US!
Date: October 6, 2012
Location: Hinton, Oklahoma
REGISTRATION;
Early bird: $50 - July 1 - July 22
Regular Bird: $57 - July 23 - August 12
Late Bird: $67 - August 13 - September 2
Really Late Bird: $77 - September 3 - September 23
Just want to watch: Free
All registration are non-refundable. All race participants must be 14 years of age on the day to participate. No Exceptions.
Click HERE to watch video of last Dirty 30!
OK Foster Wishes is excited to be 1 of the 2 charities to benefit from this great event! JOIN US!
Date: October 6, 2012
Location: Hinton, Oklahoma
REGISTRATION;
Early bird: $50 - July 1 - July 22
Regular Bird: $57 - July 23 - August 12
Late Bird: $67 - August 13 - September 2
Really Late Bird: $77 - September 3 - September 23
Just want to watch: Free
All registration are non-refundable. All race participants must be 14 years of age on the day to participate. No Exceptions.
Click HERE to watch video of last Dirty 30!
September 10th, 2012
Brett Hayes of OKDHS will be holding an Oklahoma County Volunteer Training on Monday September 10th at 6:00pm. The training is to be held at LifeChurch.tv Northwest Campus located at 5821 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK.
This training is to prepare volunteers to work in direct contact with a child in foster care.
There are many ways you can help;
tutoring
transporting a child to/from a sibling or doctor visit
taking a child out to lunch who would otherwise be stuck in an office
no childcare & no RSVP required
July 9th-13th, 2012
The 2nd Annual David A. Kline “Oklahoma Lawyers for Children” Charity Tennis Tournament and Free Week Long Tennis Clinic for Children in Foster Care!
All area children in foster care, shelters or group homes are invited to participate in a free tennis clinic at the Greens Golf & Country Club July 9-13.
The clinic is open to children ages 6-18.
Clinic Schedule: Monday – Friday
Check in: 8:30 – 9:00am
Tennis Clinic: 9:00 – 11:00am
Free Cookout for tennis clinic students each day after the clinic
Cool off and swim following the cookout at the Green’s Family Pool *NOTE: No Swimming on Monday!
Mini-tournament on Friday to test your new skills! Please pre-register for the tennis clinic by visiting the OLFC website at www.OLFC.org or call the OLFC office at 232-4453.
To register for the tournament go to www.USTA.com and enter; Tournament ID# 40480612
The Green’s is located at: 13100 Green Valley Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73120
May 16th, 2012
Area III Independent Living Car Wash & Cook Out
Wednesday May 16th
Location; OK County office 55F, 2409 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City
Car Wash; 9-5
Cook Out; 11-1
Hot dogs, chips & water for $3
All donations & proceeds will benefit Area III IL Youth
The IL program teaches youth in foster care ages 16 & up how to prepare for independence. Please stop by for a car wash & a hot dog!
Wednesday May 16th
Location; OK County office 55F, 2409 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City
Car Wash; 9-5
Cook Out; 11-1
Hot dogs, chips & water for $3
All donations & proceeds will benefit Area III IL Youth
The IL program teaches youth in foster care ages 16 & up how to prepare for independence. Please stop by for a car wash & a hot dog!
April 17th, 2012
Ever wish you could connect with a teen about to "age out" of foster care?
Please join us for a brief (10 minute) introduction session on becoming a LifeLaunch family group on April 17th at 6:30pm at the Spero Resource Center, 4646 NE Santa Fe, Oklahoma City.
If you are interested, stay for the training to begin at 7pm sharp!
All LifeLaunch families will be invited to celebrate with the foster grads at FLUX 2012!
Click on the logo to the left to learn more about our newest Impact Partner, LifeLaunch!
Please join us for a brief (10 minute) introduction session on becoming a LifeLaunch family group on April 17th at 6:30pm at the Spero Resource Center, 4646 NE Santa Fe, Oklahoma City.
If you are interested, stay for the training to begin at 7pm sharp!
All LifeLaunch families will be invited to celebrate with the foster grads at FLUX 2012!
Click on the logo to the left to learn more about our newest Impact Partner, LifeLaunch!
April 15th, 2012
RED BUD BENEFITING CITIZENS CARING FOR CHILDREN
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The 2012 Red Bud Classic is just around the corner. Now in its 30th year, the Red Bud Classic is family fun event includes a run, walk and bike race. Each year the Red Bud Classic benefits a local charity. This year the beneficiary is: CITIZENS CARING FOR CHILDREN!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteers are needed on Sunday, April 15. For volunteering you even get an awesome FREE t-shirt! Proceeds from this race will help to provide children in foster care with the clothing, shoes, pajamas, books and other resources they so desperately need.
CLICK ON THE REDBUD CLASSIC LOGO TO INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The 2012 Red Bud Classic is just around the corner. Now in its 30th year, the Red Bud Classic is family fun event includes a run, walk and bike race. Each year the Red Bud Classic benefits a local charity. This year the beneficiary is: CITIZENS CARING FOR CHILDREN!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteers are needed on Sunday, April 15. For volunteering you even get an awesome FREE t-shirt! Proceeds from this race will help to provide children in foster care with the clothing, shoes, pajamas, books and other resources they so desperately need.
CLICK ON THE REDBUD CLASSIC LOGO TO INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING.
April, 2012
SPRING CLEANUP is in full swing at The HUB! Our facility is undergoing a major transformation as we get ready for volunteers to come help organize, box and deliver goods to help our ministry partners all around OKC.
Volunteer opportunities await your youth group, club or Sunday school class! Call us for details on how you can get involved. Make an IMPACT this spring! The number is 405.706.8764.
March 10-11, 2012
Free marriage education retreats for Oklahoma couples in a variety of circumstances. We have two retreats coming up for foster parents and another for adoptive parents. The retreats are sponsored by “Thriving Marriages,” a federally funded project of DHS managed by Public Strategies. The retreat is a fun, relaxing way for couples to spend time with one another and focus on their marriage away from life’s daily stressors. Lodging, meals and a child care stipend are provided to all participants, but space is limited so we encourage couples to register by clicking on the picture to the left as soon as possible. Also, this retreat fulfills the annual foster training requirement (12 hours)!
Upcoming retreat schedule is as follows:
March 10-11, Embassy Suites, Norman *Foster Couples
July 21-22, Hyatt Regency, Tulsa *Adoptive Couples *Foster Couples
Upcoming retreat schedule is as follows:
March 10-11, Embassy Suites, Norman *Foster Couples
July 21-22, Hyatt Regency, Tulsa *Adoptive Couples *Foster Couples
February 15th, 2012 (each Wednesday thru March 14th)
Half a million children are in the foster system in the United States right now. Join us as we learn more about God’s heart for the fatherless , the need for loving families, and the process of adoption and fostering. This 5 week informational course is designed to support, inform, and connect individuals and families who feel called to love the most vulnerable of our community. Click the logo to register!
