As mentioned in our Tuesday post, Thursday is now something special on the Hope Cottage blog - Resource Thursday. Nothing fancy - just a list of articles you might find interesting and helpful. Please feel free to suggest topics! Click on the title to be taken to the article.
The Top Ten Things NOT to Ask An Adoptive Parent
Don't Let Family Dinner Be MIA In Your Home
From Open Adoption Support, a parent asks advice on gifting a birthmother on the child's birthday.
National Adoption Day footage from New Orleans Saints game
6 Questions Every Adopted Teen Wants Answered
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.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Year - New Stuff
It is a new year here at Hope Cottage and like everyone, we have new goals and ideas, many of which will be reflected here in our blog. First one out of the gate will be our new Picture Day. Every Tuesday, we will post pictures from Hope Cottage - they might be pictures from our long history, they might be pictures we took yesterday, but every Tuesday will be Picture Day at Hope Cottage, so check back every week to see what is new.
It is only fitting that we start the year off with a picture of our founder Emma Wylie Ballard. Now Picture Day won't normally include an article, but her story is an interesting one. At the time she founded Hope Cottage, Mrs. Ballard worked for the Dallas County Humane Society. That was when the Humane Society dealt with people instead of cats, rats, dogs and ferrets. ( I would be remiss if I didn't mention that all of the following information came from Daughters of Dallas by Vivian Anderson Castleberry. To read more about Ms. Castleberry, click here and here and here.)
Emma was born January 10, 1865 in Memphis Tennessee. Her father was an attorney. She married John M. Ballard after she moved to Dallas. She and Mr. Ballard had two children, but he died early and she was left as a single parent. She was a charter member of the YWCA and the Women's Christian Temperance Union, an officer in the Professional Women's Club and other charitable organizations.
She first worked with United Charities and then spent five and a half years at the Dallas County Juvenile Court where she was instrumental in setting up the first Dallas County Detention Home for dependent children and the Dallas County Industrial Home for delinquent girls at Elam. (Aside: I think Ms. Ballard would be mighty proud of Hope Cottage's recent funding from the Office of the Governor, Juvenile Justice Division. Click here to read more about that.) Later she became Child Welfare Director of the Dallas Humane Society, working for the well-being of the children of Dallas. It was during this time that she realized that Dallas needed to do something about the number of children that were being abandoned in the streets. The result was Hope Cottage which opened its doors on June 23, 1918. Within two weeks, Hope Cottage had outgrown its facility and was looking for a new home!
On behalf of the more than 7,000 children who have found permanent, loving homes during the past 93 years, THANK YOU Emma Wylie Ballard.
Keep coming back every Tuesday for more pictures AND something new is coming your way on Thursdays also!
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.
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| Emma Wylie Ballard |
Emma was born January 10, 1865 in Memphis Tennessee. Her father was an attorney. She married John M. Ballard after she moved to Dallas. She and Mr. Ballard had two children, but he died early and she was left as a single parent. She was a charter member of the YWCA and the Women's Christian Temperance Union, an officer in the Professional Women's Club and other charitable organizations.
She first worked with United Charities and then spent five and a half years at the Dallas County Juvenile Court where she was instrumental in setting up the first Dallas County Detention Home for dependent children and the Dallas County Industrial Home for delinquent girls at Elam. (Aside: I think Ms. Ballard would be mighty proud of Hope Cottage's recent funding from the Office of the Governor, Juvenile Justice Division. Click here to read more about that.) Later she became Child Welfare Director of the Dallas Humane Society, working for the well-being of the children of Dallas. It was during this time that she realized that Dallas needed to do something about the number of children that were being abandoned in the streets. The result was Hope Cottage which opened its doors on June 23, 1918. Within two weeks, Hope Cottage had outgrown its facility and was looking for a new home!
On behalf of the more than 7,000 children who have found permanent, loving homes during the past 93 years, THANK YOU Emma Wylie Ballard.
Keep coming back every Tuesday for more pictures AND something new is coming your way on Thursdays also!
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.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A Home for the Holidays
If you didn't watch the CBS program "A Home for the Holidays" last night you missed SOMETHING! The12th Annual program (how did I miss this last year? Oh yeah - I wasn't on Twitter yet - that is how I learned about the program - thanks tweeters) was hosted by Julie Chen and Holly Robinson Peete, sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation and focused on the availability of children for adoption within the foster care system. The program also included followup on children featured last year who had found loving, permanent homes. It was wonderful to see so many of the hosts participating whose lives had been touched by adoption - Melissa Gilbert, Ricky Martin, Melissa Etheridge. Some of the celebrities shared their stories. I could go on and on, but I urge you to take the time and watch the program on line by clicking here.
Before we leave, let's give a big thank you to all those who work to make lives better for children in foster care - the CPS workers who work tirelessly, non profits who support the children (props to Dallas CASA and Community Partners of Dallas - just to name a couple) and Hope Cottage's own Foster to Adopt Staff, Linda Pouncy and Nicole Mahanay. Big hugs to all those families who choose to adopt from Foster Care. You all truly make a difference in the life of a child.
Hope Cottage offices will be closed from December 24 - January 2, so no posts until after the New Year. We hope that each of you has a wonderful, joyous holiday season and the New Year brings you everything you desire and more!
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
Before we leave, let's give a big thank you to all those who work to make lives better for children in foster care - the CPS workers who work tirelessly, non profits who support the children (props to Dallas CASA and Community Partners of Dallas - just to name a couple) and Hope Cottage's own Foster to Adopt Staff, Linda Pouncy and Nicole Mahanay. Big hugs to all those families who choose to adopt from Foster Care. You all truly make a difference in the life of a child.
Hope Cottage offices will be closed from December 24 - January 2, so no posts until after the New Year. We hope that each of you has a wonderful, joyous holiday season and the New Year brings you everything you desire and more!
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
Monday, December 13, 2010
Helping a Child You Don't Even Know
It is the time of year for giving. Last week I had the good fortune to hear Jody Dean of local station, KLUV speak at the Holiday Lunch for the Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Whew! that's alot of links in one sentence.
Jody has been a long time supporter and advocate for Hope Cottage. For thirteen years, Hope Cottage and Jody Dean teamed up for the Hope Cottage/Jody Dean Golf Classic as a way to raise funds for the organization. Incidentally, Jody is an adopted child. He is also one of the most giving people in the metroplex. The organizations he has helped raise funds are too numerous to list but I know they are all grateful for his assistance.
Jody's keynote address was superb and he had the room mesmerized. He talked about how we, as fundraisers, don't do this alone. We "stand on the shoulders of others". He talked about how the holiday season is a time for giving. Regardless of your beliefs, I want to share this statement with you. Jody said "isn't it amazing that at this time of year we celebrate people coming from all over and bringing gifts to honor and help a child they didn't even know." It hit me - that could apply to you - our wonderful donors.
Every year, many, many, many of you make a gift (or gifts) to Hope Cottage to help children find loving, permanent homes. Children you don't even know and may never meet. Think about what a difference you make! And think about the difference you can make again this year. You have many choices when deciding who to honor with your donations and we appreciate you considering Hope Cottage. If you choose Hope Cottage, click here.
Here are the faces of some of the children that you have helped this year - on behalf of them - THANK YOU!
If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.
If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
Jody has been a long time supporter and advocate for Hope Cottage. For thirteen years, Hope Cottage and Jody Dean teamed up for the Hope Cottage/Jody Dean Golf Classic as a way to raise funds for the organization. Incidentally, Jody is an adopted child. He is also one of the most giving people in the metroplex. The organizations he has helped raise funds are too numerous to list but I know they are all grateful for his assistance.
Jody's keynote address was superb and he had the room mesmerized. He talked about how we, as fundraisers, don't do this alone. We "stand on the shoulders of others". He talked about how the holiday season is a time for giving. Regardless of your beliefs, I want to share this statement with you. Jody said "isn't it amazing that at this time of year we celebrate people coming from all over and bringing gifts to honor and help a child they didn't even know." It hit me - that could apply to you - our wonderful donors.
Every year, many, many, many of you make a gift (or gifts) to Hope Cottage to help children find loving, permanent homes. Children you don't even know and may never meet. Think about what a difference you make! And think about the difference you can make again this year. You have many choices when deciding who to honor with your donations and we appreciate you considering Hope Cottage. If you choose Hope Cottage, click here.
Here are the faces of some of the children that you have helped this year - on behalf of them - THANK YOU!
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| Grayson |
 |
| Gideon |
 |
| Noah |
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 a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
Friday, December 10, 2010
It's Always Nice to Receive Recognition
Hope Cottage has been a member, since Day One, of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and before it was the United Way, the Community Chest. At one time, United Way donations provided 85% of the Hope Cottage budget (that equals close to $890,000). We are proud to be a charter member and value our partnership with United Way.
Every year, the United Way rolls out their Workplace Giving Campaigns and we hit the dusty speaking circuit. It is a privelege to share stories of how your donations have helped Hope Cottage serve more than 30,000 women and children over the past 92 years. Representatives from Hope Cottage speak any time - including 3 AM at UPS, anywhere - including an airport tarmac and under any conditions - yes, even competing with machinery. We do this because we care about Hope Cottage and realize how important it is for people to know about the work being done here.
Today was the Annual Awards Luncheon and Hope Cottage was honored to be chosen as a winner for our participation in the most Agency Fairs. In addition, our name was mentioned for providing 17 speaking engagements for United Way at various corporations in the metroplex. Thank you United Way and thank YOU, our donors, for continuing to give.
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 a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
I Would Die For That
Hope Cottage clients, nor any other adoptive parents, do not come to adoption lightly. It is an action that comes at the end of long journey down a very long road. For many it is an action preceeded by loss and grief. But tied up with that loss and grief is hope - hope for dreams fulfilled, hope for a family, hope for a child.
I came across this video on a blog maintained by one of our Waiting to Adopt Families and it touched my heart. Our clients live this...and Hope Cottage is here to help them through.
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 a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
I came across this video on a blog maintained by one of our Waiting to Adopt Families and it touched my heart. Our clients live this...and Hope Cottage is here to help them through.
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 a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Nia Vardalos, Foster Adoption and The Talk
Earlier this week Actress Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Connie and Carla) discussed her experience adopting from the Foster Care System on CBS' The Talk. Click here to see the interview.
More than 7,000 children are part of the Foster Care system in North Texas and many, many, many of them are looking for a permanent home, what we call a "forever family". Thanks to you and your financial support, Hope Cottage finds homes for many of these children. But... with your help, we can do more.
If you are interested in learning more about changing the life of a child and adopting from foster care, contact Linda Pouncy at Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721, ext 242 or visit our webpage. To donate to help support Hope Cottage's efforts to find these children the home they deserve, you can make your gift through our webpage.
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 a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
More than 7,000 children are part of the Foster Care system in North Texas and many, many, many of them are looking for a permanent home, what we call a "forever family". Thanks to you and your financial support, Hope Cottage finds homes for many of these children. But... with your help, we can do more.
If you are interested in learning more about changing the life of a child and adopting from foster care, contact Linda Pouncy at Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721, ext 242 or visit our webpage. To donate to help support Hope Cottage's efforts to find these children the home they deserve, you can make your gift through our webpage.
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 a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.
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