Picture Tuesday

Every Tuesday Hope Cottage, Dallas' oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency shares pictures from its archives.  Enjoy!

HopeCottage 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 unplanned pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Meet the Staff - Jennifer Terry

Jennifer Terry, LMSW

Calm, reassuring and supportive are just three of the words that come to mind when you want to describe Jennifer Terry, Infant Adoption Coordinator for Hope Cottage.  Jennifer earned her B.S. in Social Work from Texas Woman's University and her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Texas at Arlington.  Prior to coming to Hope Cottage three years ago, Jennifer also worked with victims of domestic violence and the mentally ill. 

As the Infant Adoption Coordinator, Jennifer supervises five employees and oversees all aspects of that program, including counseling and education for Waiting to Adopt Families and Pregnancy Services for Birthfamilies. 

When we asked Jennifer what she liked to do in her spare time, she said "with two children under two years of age, there is no such thing as spare time!"  She does enjoy spending time with her family and if it can be near a beach or in the water - that makes it even sweeter.  In fact, Jennifer once scuba dived in a six million gallon indoor aquarium at Disney World-Epcot.  That aquarium is the world's second largest aquarium and is filled with brown sharks, manatees, sting rays and even a 600 pound grouper!

Jennifer says the best part of working at Hope Cottage is being part of the process of building families through adoption.  Jennifer brings a special skill set to that process - she herself is an adoptee. 

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 - You Did This!

Every Tuesday, Hope Cottage shares pictures from its archives.  On Thursday (June 23rd) Hope Cottage turns 93.  Let's take a walk down Memory Lane.

Hope Watson (later Rohr) was one of the first babies placed at Hope Cottage.  She came to us after we had only been open two weeks.  Both her mother and aunt died in the 1918 Influenza epidemic when she was only two weeks old.  Hope was named after Hope Cottage and for the hope that she would live.  Hope Watson Rohr passed away in October 2010.  One of the highlights of her life was returning to Hope Cottage in the late 80's for one of our reunion events.

The House the Community Built.  Site of the present day Scottish Rite Hospital playground, this was Hope Cottage from 1922 - 1978.  Ladies of Dallas visited Hope Cottage in our little home in The Cedars and were aghast at the lack of amenities (screens on the windows, not enough room).  As women will do, once they see a need, they set out to provide solutions.  They cajoled and probably badgered their husbands into raising $50,000 to build Hope Cottage a new house.   This was the result.  A fine Georgian home for our babies. 

Founder Emma Wylie Ballard used to drive around town in a car just like this one, except hers had a stork on the front.  She would pick up abandoned babies and solicit donations.  Everyone could hear her coming and knew exactly why she was there.  Hope Cottage didn't charge adoption fees until the 1950's, so we truly relied on the community and Community Chest to provide support.



Thousands of  children have come and gone through the front doors of Hope Cottage.  When all the beds were full, we would hang up a sign that said "No More Babies Taken".  Once a little tot was adopted, and a bed freed up, down would come the sign. 

We no longer live on Welborn Street and we no longer house babies in our offices (how would we ever get anything done because you know Hope Babies are the brightest, the cutest, the smartest babies on the face of the earth), but our commitment to providing the best homes for these wonderful children has never wavered.  We could not have stayed "in business" for 93 years without Dallas and her caring, loving citizens.  From all our Hope Babies, near and far - thank you for helping us celebrate our birthday.  Being 93 never felt so good!



Hope Babies from 1927-2011



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.

All Strung Up

On June 5th, Hope Cottage is having our Annual Founder's Day Picnic.  No one knows for sure how long the event has been going on, but we do know Hope Cottage has had a picnic the last 30 years running straight.  Considering that we have 92 years of Annual Holiday Parties under our belts, I think it is safe to say Hope Cottage has had "dinner on the grounds" about the same amount of time. 

This will be my second picnic and it is a fun, casual event.  We serve hot dogs, cold drinks, cookies, games, entertainment and reunions.  I hear through the grapevine that "everyone" is coming.  I wish someone would define "everyone".  Event planners like to know - are we feeding 50 or 500?

Exciting this year because we have some of our older Hope Babies attending, along with some of our newest Hope Babies.  Definite photo op!

It is liable to be quite a show.  Right now we are running a campaign - if we get 500 people to like us on our Hope Cottage Fanpage on Facebook before June 5th, then ten children will be given the opportunity, at the picnic, to "string up the staff" - aka cover us with silly string.  I personally wanted us to have to do the macarena, but my co-workers quickly vetoed that.  AND we will video the string deluge and post it on our Youtube channel.  Fun times!

 I wonder what outfit goes best with silly string?

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 - More Hope Babies and their Moms

In honor of our Mothers and Mother's Day, Picture Tuesday during the entire month of May will feature pictures of Hope Babies and their moms.  Enjoy!

Yes, all six children are Hope Babies!

Both boys are Hope Babies!



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.

Twitter is More Than What You Had for Lunch!

For information junkies, Twitter is crack.  All those facts and figures at your fingertips! You think  Facebook causes you to lose track of time?  Just wait until you try Twitter!  But wait - I am not knocking Twitter, I am praising it.  So much information, so many resources at your command.  You can even organize your "tweets" by subject matter.  Woo-hoo - you are speeding off down the information highway in your snazzy convertible!  Today's blogpost highlights resources that might be of interest to our Hope Families and other adoptive parents.   As always, please remember that all links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy, or any other implied or explicit purpose.

And don't forget to follow Hope Cottage on Twitter.  We tweet as
@LeslieatHope (general information)
@helpathope (post adoption information) 
@EducationatHope (information from our adoption education department)
@devillegolf (information on the Annual Friends of deVille Golf Tournament benefiting Hope Cottage)

From America Adopts
Why adopted adults have a right to know who they are.  Link to the article.  

From MLJ Adoptions
Angelia Jolie Talks Openly About #Adoption.  Link to the article. 
From Adoption Circle
Do you need to create an adoption video profile? Here's a great example of how to do it!

A new adoptive mother struggles to find balance with her newly adopted baby & daily life. Can you relate?  Link to the article. 

Book Giveaway: Melissa Fay Greene’s “No Biking in the House Without a Helmet”

From National Adoption Day
RT @AdoptUsKids: RT @natadoptionday In total, more than 35,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day.

From NPR
NPR: Transracial #Adoption Parenting Dilemmas.  Link to the show. 


View Twitter as the great information provider that it is - all succintly packaged up in 140 characters. Check back with us next Thursday. We'll share more of Twitter's best on all kinds of adoption and parenting issues! And share this info with your friends.


 
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 - Me and My Mom

In honor of Mother's Day and our wonderful Hope Cottage families, every Tuesday in May will feature pictures of Hope Babies and their mothers.  Enjoy!

This Hope Baby had five other siblings - all adopted from Hope Cottage

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 - Me and My Mom

Every Tuesday Dallas adoption agency Hope Cottage shares pictures from its archives.  In honor of Mother's Day, enjoy photos of Hope Babies and their Moms.  If you have a picture of a Hope Baby(ies) and his/her mom and would like them to be included in a future post, email the picture to lclay@hopecottage.org.

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.

Meet the Staff - Cara Filipski

Cara Filipski, MSSW

What would you do if your brother told you you could fly like a bird off the top of the basement stairs if you just used his back as your launchpad? Would you do it?  Cara Filipski was five years old and completely trusting of her older brother.  She perched on his back and catapulted herself forward in her attempt to fly around the basement like a bird.  Says Cara "I was young and thought my brother had my best interest at heart...well he didn't."  Cara hit the bottom of the stairs and knocked out her front tooth, which had to be glued back into place.  "If you see my school pictures during the next two years, you can easily see the glue surrounding my front tooth."

All this occured in Downs, Kansas (population 1,200) and home of the Kansas Storytelling Festival where Cara grew up with her two older brothers.  She received her Bachelors in Social Work in 2003 from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. (Go Tigers!)  Cara moved to Dallas  because she wanted to be near her brother (hopefully NOT the one who turned her into Tweety Bird).  Since arriving in Dallas, Cara has completed her Masters degree in Social Work from UTA, met the man of her dreams, married, and started working at Hope Cottage.

Making a difference in the lives of children and families is something Cara has always wanted to do, inspired by the aunt who has been a social worker for thirty years. 

In her free time, you can find Cara shopping for pink as she and her husband are expecting a baby girl in July.  Cara's most recent read is Saving Max by Antoinette Van Heugten and her favorite movie is "Annie". 

Cara's primary responsibilites at Hope Cottage are working with our birthmothers.


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 - In the Looking Glass

Every Tuesday, Hope Cottage shares pictures from its 93 year history.  Photographers will take pictures of children using the reflective devices of a mirror for a unique perspective.  Here is one of our Hope Babies as seen "in the looking glass".

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 - We Love Our Animals

Every Tuesday, Hope Cottage shares pictures from our 93 year history.  Today we share Hope Babies with their animals.  Do you have a picture of your Hope Baby with their favorite animal?  Email to lclay@hopecottage.org and we will post in a future blog!

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 - Music and Your Toddler

Continuing from last week in our blog series on Music and Your Child, this week we are sharing resources for music and your toddler (ages 4-6). 

When their children are 4 or 5 many parents wonder if this is a good age for starting instrumental (piano, violin) lessons for their child.  Most teachers will tell you the best time to start lessons for a child is when he or she ASKS!  Nothing is ever more frustrating than a daily battle with your child over practice sessions.  Wait until your child expresses an interest and that is half the battle!

Toddlers love music.  They will sing, they will make up songs.  There small and large motor skills can be enhanced by music.  Sing your favorite song while you march around the room.  Use songs with handmotions like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". 

You can make a drum out of an empty oatmeal container.  Put dried beans on a paper plate, top with another paper plate and staple the edges shut - you have a tambourine.  Place a piece of tissue paper over a comb and you have a kazoo. 

For more reading on the subject try these articles

Music and Your Toddler
Music and Your Toddler or Preschooler
Helping Your Toddler Tune Into Music
Introducing Your Toddler to Music

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 - Pony Rides

Back in the 1930's, photographers used to come around and offer to take your child's picture posed on a horse, thus the inspiration for today's Picture Tuesday Post.  Hope Babies on Horseback!

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.



Meet the Hope Cottage Staff - Logan Rosenberg

Logan Rosenberg, LCSW

Barely five feet tall and full of energy, Logan Rosenberg hit the ground running when she joined the Hope Cottage staff as an Adoption Services Case Manager in May 2010. Her primary focus is working with Waiting to Adopt Families in the Infant Adoption Program.  Since 2002 Logan has been working in the adoption field, gaining valuable experience in International, Domestic and Foster to Adopt Programming at both agencies and in the realm of private adoptions.  She graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor's in Social Work and from Washington University with her Master's in Social Work (MSSW).  Logan grew up in Dallas and has an older brother.  Logan and her husband adopted a daughter earlier this year and are expecting their son's birth in just a few months.   Logan loves reading books by her favorite author Harlan Coban, but with two children, she may have to "shelve" that hobby for a bit.

Logan was drawn to Social Work by her desire to help people and says the best part of her job is being able to help make families. 

You should know that Logan makes some AMAZING cupcakes.  The Hope Cottage staff make a mad dash to the kitchen when she brings in her treats to share.

BTW - when Logan was six she had career aspirations to be a purple crayon.  Maybe she read Harold and the Purple Crayon over and over!


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 - In the News

This picture ran in the now defunct Dallas Times Herald in 1946.  Enjoy!

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 - Sitting Pretty Part I

Enjoy some pictures of our Hope Babies as they are "sitting pretty".  Of course Hope Babies are the brightest, the cutest, the smartest and the BEST babies!



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.