Local opportunities this summer- Denver, CO

Home | Children's Gallery | AFP Home | Donate     Adoptive Families Program for Domestic & International Adoptions e-Note May 2013 Free and Cheap Summer Activities in Denver Photo by Julio Trujillo Deahna Visscher has been kind enough to share her list of Free and Cheap happenings in the Denver Metro Area this summer! Click here to download a copy of the list (PDF). Summer Educational Opportunities FOR PARENTS! Parenting the Hurt Child June 14-15 (Register by June 3) — Centennial Contact postadoption@ccaifamily.org Beyond Consequences Mom’s Conference June 15-19 — Online http://www.everydayismothersday.com/ An Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) June 22 9 am to 1 pm Contact Beth at beth@hopespromise.com or 303-660-0277 An Insider's Guide to Identity and Adoption Real Life Stories. Expert Advice. Recorded webinar available on demand http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/catalog/webinars/an-insiders-guide-to-identity-and-adoption.cfm From Chaos to Calm by Julie Alvarado Aug 15, 2013 6-9pm — Rifle http://www.adoptex.org/site/Calendar?id=110064&view=Detail Did you know that parents who’ve adopted internationally or privately are eligible for up to $250 in parent education scholarships per year through AFP?? Email mbetsch@adoptex.org for more information! May's Resource Spotlight! https://www.facebook.com/TAFicityInc http://www.meetup.com/Transracially-Adoptive-Families/ TAFicity, Inc., is a social and educational community for transracially adoptive families. They offer opportunities for social connection among families where welcome, acceptance, validation, and support naturally develop and continuously occur. They provide educational programming to meet the diverse needs of the transracially adoptive community so that the community remains vital, fortified, and prepared to meet the needs and challenges each of their families face with respect to our individual diversities and adoptive nature. For more information about the Adoptive Families Program, contact: Michelle Betsch at 303-755-4756, ext. 204 or mbetsch@adoptex.org.

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therapist in Colorado Springs

I have recently found out about a therapist in the Colorado Springs area who works with adoptive families. I have not used this therapist but have great reports about the counselor from an adoptive family who is really getting a lot of help here and speaks very highly of this therapist and practice. 

Gene DeLoux MA LPC
DeLoux@gmail.com
719-264-0054

5875 Lehman Drive, Sui9te 103

Individual, marriage, family, child
Depression, anxiety, trauma, grief
EMDR, adoptive issues, parenting

Grace Center in Bahir Dar, buy a doll help a mom

It has come to my attention that some really cute rag dolls can be bought from the single moms from the Grace Center in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
You can get more information about the center at these two sites:
http://graceforethiopia.org/WP/
http://mamameheret.com/

This is a wonderful organization which helps single moms care for and keep their children. They get job training and skills and other educational opportunities.  It is certainly worth checking out.
You can currently buy the doll from ACASA. I understand that you can buy the doll directly from Grace For Ethiopia.
Here is the doll.

ACASA also has these dolls (below) listed for sale but I do not know if they are from the same center or another. I love them.You can buy ones somewhat similar but not as cute on this site. DollsnBears. This site has a section on dolls with African heritage. It is a good resource, but mostly decorative or collector dolls.

Helping your child transition to English

Well, I have wanted to do a post on language for a while. I have finally gotten around to it.

When our boys came home they were 3. At three a child knows a lot of language and ours were HIGHLY verbal, and one quite verbose. K used complex language of a child much older (age was correct) and N used a sort of "country bumpkin" sort of speech, very cute to those who could understand it (at the guest house and drivers, etc.). They would both look to us and chatter on about whatever or ask for what they needed, in Amharic. We learned fast some key phrases to say and hear.

*Here are some of the things we did to communicate while in transition (in ET and for about 2 weeks home):

1. picture cards/with Amharic phrases and words written on them so we could show them the picture say the Amharic and English word. 
2. We also used a phrase and word list see this post: http://jkdcolorado.blogspot.com/2009/04/amharic-word-list-for-communication.html

*Once we were home we continued with these practices and added some other things. Because the boys were so verbal, I knew they could transfer to a higher level of English than I expected. So, I did ELL/ESL games with them for the basics: Colors and familiar items. (2 weeks home to about 3 months home)

1. We played a lot of memory games to use words items they were likely familiar with and learn the new word.
2. We read those baby books that have one picture on a page with a word. Trucks, Animals, Toys, Food, Etc.... I would say books with only one picture on a page are the very best, not confusing. There was lots of snuggle time with that too, and so it was fun for all of us.
3. Using deliberate speech. Please give mommy the blue cup on the table. Please put your white socks in the dirty laundry basket. Go get your red dog from your room. The more descriptive and intentional the language the better the learning. 
4. loads of play time and reading time. 
5. Talking about everything with descriptive language. I got tired of talking.

  *Then as they got a bit more familiar I introduced letters and numbers. Thees are some of the things I used that worked best In addition to the games and books mentioned above: (three months home to about 1 year home).

1. Leap Frog videos, games and toys (keep to the Preschool variety at first)
2. Picture flash cards for numbers and letters (play games with these)
3. picture dominoes (basic items like fruits or colors)
4. number dot dominoes
5. singing kids songs, especially ones with actions
6. finger games and hand play rhymes and songs
7. seek and find
8. 20 questions, I'm thinking of a ____________ (give category)
9. First Word cards (these have pictures and are great not just for reading but for what is this thing called). 
10. matching games and sorting games

* Some other suggestions I have heard from parents and what they liked are:

1. Language Wizard series
2. Cool Cards (picture cards for learning items)
3. brain games
4. facial expressions cards to learn feeling words (this is a useful thing to work on, whatever method you use to teach it).

You can find many of these things at any regular game section or school supply section at Target or Walmart. You can also find them at specialty stores like those stores where Grandma buys gifts. A great place to find everything is at a teacher supply store.  I even found some great things at Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. You may even have luck in the education section of Toys R Us, they have a great selection of Leap Frog.

Here are some online resources, check out Preschool, Early Child Development, creative play, readiness skills, language arts, language:
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/language/viewall.jsp
http://www.eschoolcrossing.com/

http://www.teachingsupplystore.com/early_childhood-c-1011125.html
http://www.cmschoolsupply.com/

Remember it is NOT how much your child knows but how much your child knows you love him or her. In our culture it is easy to get caught up in how much your kid knows but it all comes......... no need to push. Love on him or her and they will have the confidence to learn. These suggestions are for FUN. It is important to keep perspective.

Ikea doll and a doll pattern for you to make

Some new dollies to share with you.
The first is a pattern you can download and make yourself for your children or to give away. The catch here is that you can not ever use this pattern for selling even for donations or fundraising. But, it is a cute doll. Check it out.  http://www.nonidolls.com/dollyhugs.html 

Ikea has the cutest soft doll (above) for a mere $9.99. I held this doll and looked at it and it is really a nice one. I would buy it if I had anyone who remotely played with dolls anymore. They are gender neutral and could be easily for a boy or girl depending on how it is dressed. Clothes are sold as well. They come in all variety of ethnicity. I like this doll very much. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00196304/

Ethiopian Festival in Denver, CO

Just want to let you know about a really good opportunity for those of you in COLORADO.
There is going to be an Ethiopian Festival sponsored by The Association of Ethiopian Community in Colorado, Inc.

WHEN: July 24 Sunday 9 am to 9 pm
WHERE: City Park Denver, CO
For more information contact them at:
EthiopianFestivalColorado@yahoo.com

An update 7/10/11:

This is their official press release

FIRST ANNUAL ETHIOPIAN FESTIVAL OF COLORADO
The first annual Ethiopian Festival of Colorado will take place on Sunday, July 24, 2011 in
Denver City Park from 9 AM to 9 PM, hosted by The Association of Ethiopian Community in
Colorado, Inc. in partnership with BBVA Compass Bank. It is open to the public, so that we may
share the beauty, history and celebration of Ethiopian culture with our fellow residents of
Colorado. Community Members and supporters alike will gather together in the Meadow Area
of Denver City Park for a family-friendly, fun-filled day of music, dance, food and joyous
celebration of all people of Ethiopian heritage alongside those with interests and involvement
in Ethiopian culture. BBVA Compass Bank will be an active participant, introducing its
compassionate and ingenious Compass for Your Cause® campaign, in support of The
Association of Ethiopian Community in Colorado, Inc. and the association’s community activism
and long-term goals for the local community.

You can find out more from their facebook page.

You can also learn more about their organization on their web page.

I would like to note that a few of the restaurants are also sponsoring this event as it seems from their poster on facebook.

I recieved an email from them inviting adoptive families to come and please spread the word. Please feel free to re post this post on your blogs and other places. Thanks.

Colorado Springs get together

If you live in the Colorado Springs area (or are visiting) you are invited to come to a get together for the Pikes Peak Africa Adopt Connection picnic. THIS Sunday October 3. We will meet at Fox Run Park in Black Forest (Northern El Paso County) around 12:30. Bring your own lunch. Contact me if you need more information.
Please also consider joining our LOCAL group on Google. http://groups.google.com/group/PikesPeakAfricaAdopt?hl=en

Thanks!
Jill

www.jkdcolorado.blogspot.com

DENVER area Ethiopian food take out availabe at Queen of Sheba

Chaltu from Queen of Sheba Ethiopian restaurant in Denver, CO contacted me as to ways to serve the adoptive families in the area. They are providing a wonderful service right away, here is the note about it!

Also, one of the first solutions that I am able to begin providing right away for families are prepared Ethiopian dishes that are packaged to take home in larger quantities so that you can have Ethiopian food without having to dine in at a restaurant. Right now these dishes are provided in 32 oz. containers unless a larger quantity is requested. The dishes that are currently being offered are as follows:

1. Doro Wott (Spicy or Mild) - Chicken drumsticks or breasts seasoned in a medium spicy or mild sauce. Served with hard boiled eggs.
2. Keye Yesiga Wott - Tender beef served in a medium spicy sauce with special seasonings.
3. Yesiga Alecha - Same as #2 but in a mild sauce with special seasonings.
4. Yebeg Wott (Spicy or Mild)  - Lamb served with an herbal seasoning of sauce with spices.
5. Yatakelt Wott - Simmered mix of cabbage, potatoes, & carrots with special seasonings.
6. Gomen - Cut mixed greens cooked only with a special blend of spices.
7. Misser - Split red lentil stew cooked cooked in a medium spicy sauce with special seasonings.
8. Atar Wott - Yellow or green split peas cooked in a mild sauce.
9. Timatim Fitfit - Fresh Tomatoes diced with onions, jalepeno pepper, and herbal seasonings mixed with injera bread. Served cold.
10. Azifa - Whole lentil salad mixed with onions, jalepno pepper, and herbal seasonings. Served cold.

If you have questions please feel free to call me at the Queen of Sheba restaurant at 303-399-9442.
Chaltu Kelly

So, go order up some yummy food and take it home for your celebration, guests or family dinner. Yum!