This document discusses raising awareness and support for CHOICES, an organization that helps foster children. It provides several ways for readers to get involved through donations, attending events, and volunteering. Key points: - CHOICES seeks donations of school supplies to help foster youth stay in school. - The organization raises awareness by speaking at community events and has partnerships with local groups like Rotary clubs and churches. - Upcoming events include a family fun day on August 24th to make care packages and an opportunity to sponsor a child to attend camp. - Foster families play an important role in supporting children's well-being and education, helping one girl through a medical procedure to stay with her foster family.

1. YOU CAN HELP RAISE AWARENESS HELP OUR KIDS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES
A key piece in helping CHOICES kids
is raising awareness about the needs
kids in foster care have.
Please consider inviting CHOICES
to speak or have an information
table at your next event.
In last few months we have been
to the New Carlisle Rotary, WiBN
Beavercreek Koffee Talk, and The
Salem Church of God. In May we had a cleaning
supply drive with the Ketteirng, Moraine, Oakwood Chamber
of Commerce. All these partnerships were made possible
by you!
If you have an opportunity contact Ashley Schiffer at (937)
264-0084 ext. 122 or aschiffer@choicesfostercare.com
Just another way you can be a Voice for Kids!
VISIT US AT OUR NEXT EVENT WITH VAP, INC.
Join us for some family fun time with our partner VAP,
Inc. There will be refreshments, face painting, balloons
and the VAP team will be making care packages for
CHOICES, A Special Wish & St. Vincet de Paul.
When: August 24, 2013
2pm - 4 pm
Where: VAP, Inc.
44 Lau Parkway
Englewood Otterbein Complex Park
Earlier this month, fifteen foster kids loaded up on a bus to enjoy a
week at Camp Joy because of your support. Thank you for sponsoring a
memorable kick off activity for our kids - 78% of the cost of camp was
paid with donor support.
We even had a special group of young ladies get involved with sending a
girl in foster care to Camp Joy. Daisy Troop 32339 from the Tipp-Bethel
area worked very hard selling cookies this winter. They used their cookie
charity money to send Haley on a week long adventure.
You provide life changing experiences for kids in foster care, thank you for
your continued support that creates a variety of first time experiences and
fun.
The kids enjoy the activity, but also enjoy being in an
atmosphere where they get to be themselves with other
foster youth. There is acceptance and understanding
and a whole lot of fun, because of our amazing
donors....like you!
Howto Help
Voiceof
VOICE OF CHOICESis the quarterly
publication of CHOICES, Inc.
THIS ISSUE
Thanks to You...1
11 Reasons to Smile...2
Foster Family Tree...3
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
SUMMER 2013
What’sin
YES! I want to create opportunities for kids to succeed!
Our address:
1785 Big Hill Road
Dayton, OH 45439
(937) 264-0084
CHOICES, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent the law allows. Our Tax I.D. number is 31-1180182
YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE!
www.choicesfostercare.com
We have told you how crucial it is for our kids to
stay in school and graduate...one thing you can do to
help is supply backpacks and school supplies. These
items are very beneficial to our Independent Living Kids,
large sibling group foster families and Home-Based
Services Families.
TOP ITEMS NEEDED
1. Backpacks
2. 1, 3 or 5 subject notebooks
3. #2 pencils
4. Black and blue Pens
5. Loose leaf wide ruled paper
6. Highlighters
7. Pocket folders
8. Scissors
9. Glue Sticks
10. Box of Crayons (24-28 count)
Name(s)
Address
City, State, Zip Email
Phone
I want to make a gift of:
$25 $100 $500$50 $250 $1,000 Surprise Us! $
Payment Options:
Check, payable to CHOICES, Inc.
Please do not publish my name in donor lists
Please charge my: VISA MC Amex
Card # Exp. Date Security code:/
4 1
Thanksto You A QUARTERLY STORY
Camp Joy was an amazing
experience and I want to thank
you a lot, because I did have lots
of fun and I really miss it.
-Karina, Age 13
CHOICES
“
”

2. Not Your Average Family Tree
The end of the school year marks a special time for many foster kids, they will reunify with their
biological families. It is a moment we celebrate, and we have fantastic foster parents who make the
transition as smooth as possible....with the best interest of the child in mind.
Gilbert and Jonna Sells have been fostering for ten years, they have had over 30 kids in their home
and have a very diverse family tree. Jonna and Gilbert always welcome former foster kids back
to visit with their family. Jonna describes it as the greatest reward, “To have the kids come back to
update you on their life...they don’t want anything.”
The Sells will always consider Angie and her family part of their family tree. Angie was with them for
9 years and just reunified with her biological family. Gilbert and Jonna were by her side through a
kidney transplant and recovery.
Jonna told us about spending many nights by her
foster daughter’s hospital bed during recovery.
She told us, “I wish people could see the
dedication and time we all give foster kids,
how we fall in love and worry about what is
best for the child”.
The Sells’ have always had a drive to care for
high needs children, whether it is medical or
developmental issues.
Angie still visits the Sells weekly; the Sells
include Angie, her parents and siblings in all
celebrations...making for a full and loving family
tree!
Biological & Foster Families Unite
I wish people could see the
dedication and time we give
foster kids, how we fall in love...
“
”
You are a key piece in creating success. Your support made these stories possible. Thank-you!
FIND US ONLINE
are saying...
What thekids
www.choicesfostercare.com
@CHOICESIncOhio
facebook.com/CHOICESInc
youtube.com/CHOICESFosterCare
@choicesinc
A SPECIAL THANK-YOU to these donors
Vectren Foundation • Dippin’ Dots • ProSource
Dayton Dragons • Wright State Univerisy
3
High School Graduation, a BIG Win for Kids in Foster Care
Raising Awareness, Donations and Partnerships with your support
11 Reasons to Smile
You Give Kids a Voice
85% of our Independent Living kids
graduated high school this year on
track. That is 35% HIGHER than the
national average.
2
Did you know that only 50% of foster children will
graduate High School?
With your support we work hard to ensure our
kids stay in school and graduate - especially when
having specialized training and education is crucial to
success.
8 of our Independent Living kids graduated (and
3 in foster care too) in 2013. The Independent
Living youth recently attended Hamilton County’s
Celebration of Dreams.
The kids heard an inspiring story of country music
artist, Jimmy Wayne, who travels the country and
helps bring awareness to kids aging out of foster
care.
The kids in attendance were able to see they share
something in common with a celebrity, a living,
breathing example as to the importance of mentors
and a support team for kids in foster care.
Congrats to our graduates of 2013, we hope with
continued dedication they become the future leaders
of our community. Your support and encouragement
throughout the year
A very big thank you to everyone who attended our
3rd Annual Voices for Kids breakfast in May.
Did you know we have the breakfast in May because
it is National Foster Care Month? We were delighted
to share some positive outcomes and inspirational
stories with you.
Whether you were a returning donor or first time
attendee we appreciate YOU for all that you have
done when it comes to helping kids in foster
care.
We had a special follow up from a former foster youth
in attendance who said, “What if I knew 13 years ago
there would be a room full of people who cared
about kids in foster care like me?”
Your support, any time of year helps to fill in that “what
if”...our kids know that someone cares and end up
doing wonderful things because of you!
My worker was not just another
worker, she was a mentor, someone
that really helped me because she
cared.
“
”-Home-Based Client, Age 16
Did you miss our breakfast? Your support is still needed
to ensure more positive outcomes for our kids.
See back page for details & info to donate ONLINE!