How to Help                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              WINTER 2013




                                                                                                                                                                                                     oice
                                                              YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

Save The Date: Join Us at our 3rd Annual
Voices for Kids Breakfast Benefit
When: May 2nd, 2013 			
8:00 am - 9:00 am (registration
begins at 7:30 am)			
				
Where: Presidential Banquet Center
                                                   Don’t Miss O
                                                    Next Event..
                                                                ur
                                                                 .
                                                                               Reminder: We Take Furniture Donations
                                                                                When a youth is placed in our Independent Living
                                                                                program we furnish an apartment for them. Spring
                                                                                cleaning is here, before you toss that old coffee table
                                                                                give us a call. We do our best to coordinate pick up!
                                                                                                                                                                                                  VCHOICES
                                                                                                                                                                                                  of
4572 Presidential Way
                                                    Voices for
                                                                                TOP ITEMS NEEDED
Kettering, OH 45429                                   Kids                      1.	 Coffee and end tables
                                                    Breakfast                   2.	 Sofas, loveseats & chairs
Join us for the kick off of May is
National Foster Care Month.
                                                   May 2, 2013
                                                                                3.	 TVs no larger than 27”
Learn more about how you are changing the
                                                                                4.	 Dressers and nightstands
lives of our kids.                                                              5.	 Kitchen table and chairs
                                                                                6.	 TV stands
Sponsorships are available as follows:                                          7.	 Desks
                                                                                8.	 Bookcases
Title Sponsor 		             $5,000 (one available)                             9.	 Baby items (cribs, high chairs, etc)
 Includes: Sponsorship Spotlight time to speak during program, logo on 	
  sponsorship sign, mention in press releases, program and on website
Presenting Sponsor	          $2,500 (five available)
 Includes: Verbal recognition during program, Logo on sponsorship sign, 	
  mention in press releases, program and on website
Contributing Sponsor	 $1,000
                                                                                10.	 Headboards or bed frames (twin-full)
                                                                                Contact Robert Bruce for pick up (937) 264-0084 ext. 125
                                                                                                                                                         Thanks to You
                                                                                                                                                         We believe we have the best 		
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A QUARTERLY STORY

                                                                                                                                                                                                           supporters of kids and families around!
 Includes: Logo on sponsorship sign, mention in program and on website
                                                                                                                       Our address:                      Your donations and support created numerous memorable moments during the
Supporting Sponsor	 $500
                                                                                                                       1785 Big Hill Road
 Includes: Mention in program and on website                                                                                                             holiday season. We requested meals for families, gifts for children, personal care items
                                                                                                                       Dayton, OH 45439
Friends of CHOICES 	 under $500 			
                                                                                                                       (937) 264-0084                    and school supplies...every request received a response from one of you saying, “I
 Includes: Mention in program
                                                                                                                                                         am here to help. What can I do?”
For more sponsorship information and to RSVP contact
Ashley Schiffer at (937) 264-0084 ext. 122 or                                                             YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE!                         Your donations made the following list possible:
aschiffer@choicesfostercare.com
                                                                                                              www.choicesfostercare.com
                                                                                                                                                         • A thoughtful Thanksgiving meal and more for our IL kids    				
We look forward to seeing you on May 2nd!
                                                                                                                                                         • Thanksgiving dinner for 23 families and over 70 kids     				

                                YES! I want to create opportunities for kids to succeed!                                                                 • 35 tickets to The Nutcracker dress rehearsal				                           	      •

                                                                                                                                                         Christmas dinner for 20 families and over 49 kids					
    Name(s)                                                                             Phone                                                            • Christmas party for our foster families with carnival games, a   	
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     You amaze us, most importantly you made
    Address                                                                                                                                               magician, balloon artist, yummy dinner and Santa!			
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     sure no one was forgotten during the holiday.
    City, State, Zip                                                                    Email                                                            • Gifts for approximately 90 foster kids and 65 HBS kids     	
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Thank you for your thoughtfulness and
    I want to make a gift of:                                                                                                                            • 4 families in need received household items        		
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     generosity in 2012!
        $25           $50            $100             $250           $500         $1,000            Surprise Us! $                                       • Personal care items and school supplies for IL & HBS families	
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      See our insert for a list of donors and pictures!
                                                                                                                                                         • Gifts, personal stockings and a Christmas meal for 30 IL kids
    Payment Options:
        Check, payable to CHOICES, Inc.
        Please charge my:                      VISA            MC           Amex
        Card #
        Please do not publish my name in donor lists
                                                                            Exp. Date                /            Security code:
                                                                                                                                                         What ’s in
                                                                                                                                                              THIS ISSUE
                                                                                                                                                                                              Thanks to You...1
                                                                                                                                                                                              New Partnership...2
                                                                                                                                                                                              Foster Parent Spotlight...3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     VOICE OF CHOICES is the quarterly
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                publication of CHOICES, Inc.

4       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
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1
You are a key piece in creating success.                                                                       Your support made these stories possible. Thank-you!


                                                                                                                               Normal Family Experiences A foster parent’s goal
                                                                                                                                                  			

                                                                                                                               Caring for CHOICES kids is a team effort, and we couldn’t be more proud of how everyone works
                                                                                                                               together; our workers, county workers, therapists and most of all our foster parents.
                                                                                                                               Linda Phiffer’s love for children came much before foster parenting as she has operated an in home
                                                                                                                               daycare for over 20 years for children up to age 15. She became interested in foster parenting
                                                                                                                               because her sister, Freda, began to foster. (This is why we say our foster parents are our best
                                                                                                                               referral source!) Linda began to interact with the children and got to know them, they really became
We Met at a Local Goodwill Store                                                                                               a family...and that is why Linda began to foster.
                                                                                                                               We asked Linda about her experience thus far and she told us, “You get more from them than you
    A Partnership Begins to Help Kids Aging Out of Foster Care
                                                                                                                               can imagine.” She said, “Seeing the joy from kids when they’re able to experience new things is
                                                                                                                               without compare. I cannot imagine not having foster kids in my home now.”
    There was a catered meal, decorated tables, mini          Christmas. Each one packed with care, full of items
    pumpkins, turkey cake pops, handmade scarves              they would need or enjoy for Christmas.                                                                             You create the new experiences; we often try
    and hats...impeccable detail to create a warm                                                                                                                                 to plan activities that incorporate the whole
                                                              We are very excited for our new partnership, and that
    friendly environment for the independent living kids to                                                                                                                       family whether it is our annual picnic or a day
                                                              our two organizations crossed each other’s path one
    celebrate Thanksgiving. 				                                                                                                                                                  at King’s Island. Whatever the event, it offers a
                                                              day at a local goodwill. In 2013 NFT will provide
                                                                                                                                                                                  moment to bond and create everlasting memories.
    New Family Tree volunteers sat with kids during the       cooking classes for life skills class and birthday
    meal and asked about their lives and how they could       cakes for each youth on their special day.                                                                          Linda really likes to spend time with the kids and
    help.                                                                                                                                                                         particularly likes board games. She enjoys doing
                                                                                                                                                                                  any activities with them they’ve never gotten
    NFT shares the same mission as our independent
                                                                                                                                                                                  the opportunity to do, such as pumpkin carving,


                                                                                                                               “
    living program: to help kids who are about to age                  Our partners, donors and supporters
                                                                                                                                   Seeing the joy from the kids                   sledding or swimming. She likes to give them
    out of foster care transition into adulthood.                      consistently go above and beyond,                                                                          what she calls “normal family experiences”.
    The moments shared that evening led to handmade                    making each interaction special and each                    when they’re able to experience



                                                                                                                                                                              ”
                                                                                                                                                                                  We thank you, Linda and all of our foster
    stockings embroidered with each teen’s name for                    donation personal. Thank you!                               new things is without compare...
                                                                                                                                                                                  parents for coming together to care for kids!



We Couldn’t Do It Without YOU                                          You Inspired Hope and Ended 2012 with a BANG!

    For many years you have provided Christmas gifts
    for foster youth and independent living kids...but this
    year was a record...and here is why.
                                                              Finally we ended the year asking you to support our
                                                              end of the year appeal. The support of the following
                                                              donors will mean great things in 2013 for all of our                 Wh    the kids
                                                                                                                                      atsaying...
    Your donations allowed for us to spread the
    Christmas cheer within our Home-Based Services
                                                              programs.
                                                              Thank you: M. Elaine Harris, Carole Broxson, Gov.
                                                                                                                                    are                                            FIND US ONLINE
                                                                                                                                                                                   www.choicesfostercare.com

                                                                                                                               “
    Program. Providing Thanksgiving and Christmas             Bob Taft, Sawdey Solutions, Michael Beauchamp
    meals and gifts for at least 65 local kids.               and a few anonymous donors.                                            Thank you to whomever was so nice
                                                                                                                                                                                         @CHOICESIncOhio
    P&R Communications delivered 4 giant boxes to                                                                                    to take time out of their year to help



                                                                                                                                                                              ”
    our office full of personal care items, cleaning and       It’s   not too late to donate to your favorite program      &                                                             facebook.com/CHOICESInc
                                                                  help provide activites and opportunities in        2013.           donate to the Christmas party.
     school supplies for independent living youth. 	            See                            &                    ONLINE!                                                              youtube.com/CHOICESFosterCare
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       3
                                                                       back page for details       info to donate

2
                                                                                                                                                  -Foster Youth, age 17

Winter Newsletter 2013

  • 1.
    How to Help WINTER 2013 oice YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Save The Date: Join Us at our 3rd Annual Voices for Kids Breakfast Benefit When: May 2nd, 2013 8:00 am - 9:00 am (registration begins at 7:30 am) Where: Presidential Banquet Center Don’t Miss O Next Event.. ur . Reminder: We Take Furniture Donations When a youth is placed in our Independent Living program we furnish an apartment for them. Spring cleaning is here, before you toss that old coffee table give us a call. We do our best to coordinate pick up! VCHOICES of 4572 Presidential Way Voices for TOP ITEMS NEEDED Kettering, OH 45429 Kids 1. Coffee and end tables Breakfast 2. Sofas, loveseats & chairs Join us for the kick off of May is National Foster Care Month. May 2, 2013 3. TVs no larger than 27” Learn more about how you are changing the 4. Dressers and nightstands lives of our kids. 5. Kitchen table and chairs 6. TV stands Sponsorships are available as follows: 7. Desks 8. Bookcases Title Sponsor $5,000 (one available) 9. Baby items (cribs, high chairs, etc) Includes: Sponsorship Spotlight time to speak during program, logo on sponsorship sign, mention in press releases, program and on website Presenting Sponsor $2,500 (five available) Includes: Verbal recognition during program, Logo on sponsorship sign, mention in press releases, program and on website Contributing Sponsor $1,000 10. Headboards or bed frames (twin-full) Contact Robert Bruce for pick up (937) 264-0084 ext. 125 Thanks to You We believe we have the best A QUARTERLY STORY supporters of kids and families around! Includes: Logo on sponsorship sign, mention in program and on website Our address: Your donations and support created numerous memorable moments during the Supporting Sponsor $500 1785 Big Hill Road Includes: Mention in program and on website holiday season. We requested meals for families, gifts for children, personal care items Dayton, OH 45439 Friends of CHOICES under $500 (937) 264-0084 and school supplies...every request received a response from one of you saying, “I Includes: Mention in program am here to help. What can I do?” For more sponsorship information and to RSVP contact Ashley Schiffer at (937) 264-0084 ext. 122 or YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE! Your donations made the following list possible: aschiffer@choicesfostercare.com www.choicesfostercare.com • A thoughtful Thanksgiving meal and more for our IL kids We look forward to seeing you on May 2nd! • Thanksgiving dinner for 23 families and over 70 kids YES! I want to create opportunities for kids to succeed! • 35 tickets to The Nutcracker dress rehearsal • Christmas dinner for 20 families and over 49 kids Name(s) Phone • Christmas party for our foster families with carnival games, a You amaze us, most importantly you made Address magician, balloon artist, yummy dinner and Santa! sure no one was forgotten during the holiday. City, State, Zip Email • Gifts for approximately 90 foster kids and 65 HBS kids Thank you for your thoughtfulness and I want to make a gift of: • 4 families in need received household items generosity in 2012! $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 Surprise Us! $ • Personal care items and school supplies for IL & HBS families See our insert for a list of donors and pictures! • Gifts, personal stockings and a Christmas meal for 30 IL kids Payment Options: Check, payable to CHOICES, Inc. Please charge my: VISA MC Amex Card # Please do not publish my name in donor lists Exp. Date / Security code: What ’s in THIS ISSUE Thanks to You...1 New Partnership...2 Foster Parent Spotlight...3 VOICE OF CHOICES is the quarterly publication of CHOICES, Inc. 4 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 1
  • 2.
    You are akey piece in creating success. Your support made these stories possible. Thank-you! Normal Family Experiences A foster parent’s goal Caring for CHOICES kids is a team effort, and we couldn’t be more proud of how everyone works together; our workers, county workers, therapists and most of all our foster parents. Linda Phiffer’s love for children came much before foster parenting as she has operated an in home daycare for over 20 years for children up to age 15. She became interested in foster parenting because her sister, Freda, began to foster. (This is why we say our foster parents are our best referral source!) Linda began to interact with the children and got to know them, they really became We Met at a Local Goodwill Store a family...and that is why Linda began to foster. We asked Linda about her experience thus far and she told us, “You get more from them than you A Partnership Begins to Help Kids Aging Out of Foster Care can imagine.” She said, “Seeing the joy from kids when they’re able to experience new things is without compare. I cannot imagine not having foster kids in my home now.” There was a catered meal, decorated tables, mini Christmas. Each one packed with care, full of items pumpkins, turkey cake pops, handmade scarves they would need or enjoy for Christmas. You create the new experiences; we often try and hats...impeccable detail to create a warm to plan activities that incorporate the whole We are very excited for our new partnership, and that friendly environment for the independent living kids to family whether it is our annual picnic or a day our two organizations crossed each other’s path one celebrate Thanksgiving. at King’s Island. Whatever the event, it offers a day at a local goodwill. In 2013 NFT will provide moment to bond and create everlasting memories. New Family Tree volunteers sat with kids during the cooking classes for life skills class and birthday meal and asked about their lives and how they could cakes for each youth on their special day. Linda really likes to spend time with the kids and help. particularly likes board games. She enjoys doing any activities with them they’ve never gotten NFT shares the same mission as our independent the opportunity to do, such as pumpkin carving, “ living program: to help kids who are about to age Our partners, donors and supporters Seeing the joy from the kids sledding or swimming. She likes to give them out of foster care transition into adulthood. consistently go above and beyond, what she calls “normal family experiences”. The moments shared that evening led to handmade making each interaction special and each when they’re able to experience ” We thank you, Linda and all of our foster stockings embroidered with each teen’s name for donation personal. Thank you! new things is without compare... parents for coming together to care for kids! We Couldn’t Do It Without YOU You Inspired Hope and Ended 2012 with a BANG! For many years you have provided Christmas gifts for foster youth and independent living kids...but this year was a record...and here is why. Finally we ended the year asking you to support our end of the year appeal. The support of the following donors will mean great things in 2013 for all of our Wh the kids atsaying... Your donations allowed for us to spread the Christmas cheer within our Home-Based Services programs. Thank you: M. Elaine Harris, Carole Broxson, Gov. are FIND US ONLINE www.choicesfostercare.com “ Program. Providing Thanksgiving and Christmas Bob Taft, Sawdey Solutions, Michael Beauchamp meals and gifts for at least 65 local kids. and a few anonymous donors. Thank you to whomever was so nice @CHOICESIncOhio P&R Communications delivered 4 giant boxes to to take time out of their year to help ” our office full of personal care items, cleaning and It’s not too late to donate to your favorite program & facebook.com/CHOICESInc help provide activites and opportunities in 2013. donate to the Christmas party. school supplies for independent living youth. See & ONLINE! youtube.com/CHOICESFosterCare 3 back page for details info to donate 2 -Foster Youth, age 17