In Honor of Snowmageddon February 2011

Happy Snow Days from

Hope Cottage!

 Hope Baby Circa 1920's

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Resource Thursday - February 3, 2011

Each Thursday, Hope Cottage - Dallas' oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency, shares resources for parents and families - especially those families made through adoption.  We hope you find these offerings beneficial.  If you have a resource to share or suggest, e-mail it to Leslie Clay, Chief Development Officer at lclay@hopecottage.org.

New Year's Resolutions for Parents
     It's never too late to make a resolution for the year.  She Knows Parenting website offers these 
     suggestions.

From the 60 Second Parent - February 1, 2011 issue.  Food for thought. 

True Confessions and Adoption Angst
     One mother shares about her first post adoption meeting with the birthfamily. 

An article on Collaborative Problem Solving. 

Parenting Strategies When Bad Things Happen — Talking To Preschoolers About Tragedies

Learn more about Avoiding Mom Burnout.

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.


If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.



If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

I Want to Help....Eight Things You Can Do...

I don't have alot of money to give.  Those of us who fundraise for nonprofits hear those words - ALOT.  What most people don't realize is that you can make a difference without spending a dime.  But how?

I can't speak for other nonprofits, but here at Hope Cottage we have a whole list of things you can do that won't cost you a dime.  Check these out or ask your favorite nonprofit what they need!

1.  Join the mailing list.  To receive the Hope Cottage e-newsletters email mosborne@hopecottage.org and type "Sign Me Up" in the subject line.

2.  Follow the Hope Cottage blog.

3.  Ask Hope Cottage to make a presentation at your office, civic club, networking group, alumni association or house of worship.

4.  Use Goodsearch.com as your search engine and indicate that you "search" for Hope Cottage.  Hope Cottage receives $.01 for every internet search you make, at no cost to you.

5.  Join the Hope Cottage Facebook Fanpage.

6.  Use Goodshop.com when you shop on the internet.  Indicate you "shop" for Hope Cottage and participating vendors will donate a percentage of your purchae to Hope Cottage, at no cost to you.

7.  Link your Tom Thumb or Randalls Reward Card to Hope Cottage using the Good Neighbor Number 534.  Every time you shop, they will donate a percentage of your purchase to Hope Cottage.  If you shop at Kroger, contact us and we will get you a card that will get a portion of your purchase donated back to Hope Cottage. 

8.  Follow LeslieatHope and HelpatHope on Twitter. 

Most of all you can VOLUNTEER.  The state of Texas values one hour of volunteer time at $20.  So every hour you volunteer, you have essentially given $20 (though you can't write that off on your taxes!)

So go forth and make a difference without denting your pocketbook!

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.


If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Picture Tuesday - February 1, 2011 - Snooze Fest!

Every Tuesday the Hope Cottage blogs features pictures of our Hope Babies and Hope Families.  Want to submit your photo?  E-mail Chief Development Officer, Leslie Clay at lclay@hopecottage.org. 

Naps.  Who doesn't love a good nap.  Enjoy a few pictures of sleeping Hope Babies - aren't they precious?

Gideon




Joshua



 


Zoe



Resource Thursday - January 27, 2011

Every Thursday, Hope Cottage, Dallas' oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency, shares through its blog resources of interest to parents, especially those in the adoption community. We hope you find our offerings beneficial and don't be afraid to suggest other resources for us to check out! Send your suggestions to Chief Development Officer, Leslie Clay at lclay@hopecottage.org.

USDA announces new nutrition standards for school lunch program
     As part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA was required to release new nutrition standards for all schools participating in the government sponsored school meal programs. Click here to read the rest of the article.

Here is an article from Adoptive Families about bonding with your child.

How do you honor your child's birthparents? Adoptive Families readers share their traditions and suggestions. Click here to read.

Sue Atkins shares How To Say Not to Your Child With Confidence on her parenting blog.

What about adoptees using social media to find birthfamilies? Click here to read more.

Gary Brannigan writes on Reading Disabilities: The Make or Break Grade.

Click here to read more about the benefits of adopting from Foster Care.

And always remember: Read on Twitter from @kelligirl - Always check for dirty diaper before putting a child on your shoulders! Nothing that toxic should be that close to your face!


Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.


If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Hope Baby Immortalizes Tom Landry

Shannon Kincaid

First of all, just let me say, that Hope Babies (children adopted from Hope Cottage) are the best, the brightest, the cutest, the most talented!  So, it came as no surprise to the Hope Cottage staff that one of our Hope Babies, Shannon Kincaid, was commissioned to paint a portrait that will be unveiled tonight at the Landry Center to celebrate the 20th year of the Center.  Shannon also painted the picture Oprah Winfrey hung in her girl's school in South Africa.  Click here for a link to that story.  We are so proud of you Shanon and thanks for letting us share photos of your creation!

P.S.  Shannon's adoption story was published in an earlier blog.  Her birth parents reunited  and married after Shannon established contact with them as an adult.

Tom Landry

The Famous Fedora

Closeup of Tom Landry's face

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas.  Since 1918, Hope Cottage has been finding permanent, loving homes for children. 

Picture Tuesday - January 24, 2011

Every Tuesday Hope Cottage (Dallas' oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency) shares pictures from its files.  This week's pictures are from Jacob Hinckley's Eagle Scout project.  Jacob and his fellow scouts built two benches and finished out the Hope Cottage Memorial Garden at our offices.  Thanks Scouts!

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.