1 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

OUR MISSION: TO SERVE CHILDREN AND BUILD FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD

Moving Fast With Maya

In this

Issue

Our Maya got her first tooth this week. It is one of those early milestones that makes a parent think, “Our baby is growing up too fast!” A tooth at only 5 ½ months IS early, but we’ve found that everything seems to move fast with Maya.

When we adopted our son Nate through Sunny Ridge three years ago, we had five months from the first meeting with his birth mom to his birth. That was great! When he was born, we had all the “stuff” we needed and were mentally ready. But Maya’s story is quite the opposite. Hers is one of those adoption stories we had often heard about: with no notice, one day we are a family of three, and the next we are a family of four.

After Nate’s birth, we were quick to reapply for another adoption because we knew we wanted Nate to have a sibling, and frankly, we weren’t getting any younger. So we updated all the paperwork with Sunny Ridge and waited. Thank goodness we already had a son to distract us, because this time it was a long wait. Sunny Ridge kept us updated, but there didn’t seem to be many placements. Our adoption worker was terrific and always stayed so positive with us, saying, “Hang in there. Things can change very quickly.” Even so, last spring, we were becoming disheartened.

It was a Tuesday in May when I had left two separate messages at Sunny Ridge. In a message to our adoption worker, I inquired about any updates to our situation. In the second one to the director, I inquired about the embryo adoption program.

The following day, while working at a client site, my phone rang. It

by Mary Slater

was Sunny Ridge. Assuming that it was our adoption worker calling me back from the previous day, and in the midst of finishing a big work project, I let it go to voice mail. It rang again. It was Sunny Ridge. Again, assuming now the director was returning my call, I let it go to voice mail. When it rang the third time and it was still

A publication of

Growing Families Through Adoption

Continued on page 3.

Walk for Adoption

Thank You Annual Fund Donors

Girls Groups at Sunny Ridge

Sunny Ridge Adoption Opportunities

Program News and Notes

SUNNY RIDGEFAMILY CENTER VIEWS

SUNNY RIDGE

Fall, 2013

2 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

WALK FOR ADOPTION CHICAGO

Our mission is to serve children and build families around the world.

Sunny Ridge Views is published for supporters and friends of

Sunny Ridge Family Center.

270 Remington Boulevard, Suite C Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440

www.sunnyridge.org

©2013 Sunny Ridge Family Center. Permission to reprint articles must be

obtained in writing from Sunny Ridge Family Center.

Sunny Ridge Family Center Board of Directors

Mr. Brian Ytterberg, ChairpersonMs. Joan Bowen, Treasurer

Mr. Matthew BobaMs. Yolaine DauphinMs. Mary Knutson

Mr. John Ryan, SecretaryMs. Lori Woodcock

Sunny Ridge Family Center is a not-for-profit, private charitable organization, IRS code 501(c) 3. We rely on the generous support of donors in order to carry out our mission. An audited financial statement is available for review upon request. Sunny Ridge is a COA Hague-accredited agency. Sunny Ridge Family Center is licensed as a child welfare agency by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (LIC #019976).

FROM THE PRESIDENT

On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Sunny Ridge joined Chicago-area supporters of adoption at the 2013 Walk for Adoption Chicago at Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Many Sunny Ridge families enjoyed the morning walk and fellowship with other adoptive families. Thanks to Walk for Adoption Chicago for hosting this enjoyable event.

This summer Dr. David Brodzinsky, a highly regarded researcher, educator, and author in the field of adoption, helped the Donaldson Adoption Institute publish a new report entitled, A Need To Know: Enhancing Adoption Competence Among Mental Health Professionals.

Among its many findings, the report points out that while adoptive families experience the same dynamics and issues that other families face, they must also address issues such as grief and loss for birth parents, shaping positive racial/ethnic identity in children, dealing with the impact of early adversity, and navigating relationships between adoptive and birth relatives.

Brodzinsky goes on to say that while adopted individuals and their families are more likely to use mental health services than is the general population, mental health professionals typically do not receive the training required to fill adoption-related counseling needs.

Sunny Ridge believes mental health professionals must be prepared to meet the needs of adoptees and adoptive families. When adoptive families seek out help, their therapist

must possess not only the foundations for competent clinical practice, but also a deep understanding of the unique adoption issues involved.

To help address some of these needs, Sunny Ridge offers adoption-competent counseling and therapy for individuals and families, support groups for adoptees and parents, and workshops specifically designed for the adoption community. Please take some time to learn more about these offerings in this newsletter and on our website.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, I offer thanks to those individuals and businesses who participated in the Annual Fund at Sunny Ridge. This newsletter includes a roster of contributors during our past fiscal year. Your support provides vital resources to the work of our mission, helping Sunny Ridge continue to serve children and build families around the world.

Gary Longman glongman@sunnyridge.org

SUNNY RIDGEFAMILY CENTER

3 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

MOVING FAST WITH MAYA

Sunny Ridge, I got a clue and answered. Our adoption worker asked me how my day was (it was not particularly good), then told me she was about to make my day much better.

Did she ever!

A baby girl had been born in Chicago and the mother could not take her home. All the adoption worker knew was that she was healthy, strong, and beautiful. Sunny Ridge wanted to know if we could pick her up at the hospital at 10 a.m. the next day. Yes, things move fast with our Maya.

Shaking and crying, I told our adoption worker I needed to call her back after talking to my husband. John was working that week at his client site in Indianapolis. When I reached him, it was 4:30 p.m. here, 5:30 p.m. there. I asked him to go in another room and sit down, and then I blurted out, “I need you to come home right now!” I told him what I knew, and that we needed to be at the hospital at 10 a.m. tomorrow. His stunned response was, “Can we do it later? I have a big presentation in the morning.” I asked him to think about it and call me back. Naturally, he called back within five minutes and said that of course he would be there.

John prepared to make the drive home that night. And I asked our sitter to watch Nate for an hour so I could run to Target and get supplies. Despite having done this before, we had nothing for a baby in our home. We were preparing to move three weeks later, so had put all the baby gear in storage.

Walking around Target was when it really hit me. Gripping the cart tightly to prevent my shaking, I wondered if anyone in the store noticed that I was freaking out. All I could do was think, “Okay; babies eat, sleep, and poop ...so I need formula, blankets, and diapers. I can do this!” Somehow I also remembered to pick up a little gift for Nate to give to the baby.

John got home sometime around midnight, and I asked him if he came up with a baby girl name. He had nothing. Neither did I.

The first thing in the morning, John and I talked with Nate. He wasn’t even 3 years old yet, and couldn’t fully grasp the idea of a little sister. He even asked, “Do you mean a dog?” If this was moving fast for us, it was moving really fast for Nate. His world was about to be turned upside down. Fortunately, his sitter was great. While we were gone, she helped him wrap his gift for the baby and talked with him about what would happen when we got back.

That morning we also talked with our adoption worker again to verify the details of where to meet her. I think she was just as excited as we were. “Don’t forget the car seat!” she said.

“CAR SEAT!?” I thought. “Where the heck is the car seat? Ah, must be up in the garage attic.” John climbed up there, pulled down the car seat box ...and it was empty. Uh oh. We had loaned it to my mom to use when my niece was visiting. It was 30 miles away. That’s when I began knocking on doors up and down my street, looking for a car seat to borrow. Fortunately there were lots of little ones on the street, so once I found someone home, we had ourselves a car seat. Whew!

It was a gorgeous day in May, with all the flowering trees in bloom. John drove to the hospital while I googled baby names.

Our adoption worker met us in the nursery at the hospital. When we walked in, she gently handed me this precious baby. “Here’s your beautiful daughter!” she said, beaming.

Our lives have been a blur since. As planned, we moved three weeks later. Nate got used to sharing our attention and only asked us once

if we would please return Maya to the hospital. He’s become a wonderfully affectionate big brother. Our summer was spent settling in to a new place, selling two city condos, potty training, exploring schools for Nate, meeting new neighbors, finding new sitters, and of course, falling in love with our Maya.

In the weeks leading up to Maya’s birth last spring, there were several well-publicized stories in the news of newborns having been “discarded.” Each of those stories made me cry—and wonder why this happens when there are so many wonderful, waiting adoptive parents out there. But each of those reports also ended with an explanation of the Illinois Safe Haven Law, which allows babies to be left in hospitals, firehouses, and police stations with no questions asked.

We don’t know much about Maya’s birth mom. But we do know that she delivered a healthy baby at the hospital, and then made a loving yet heart-wrenching choice to give her a better life. We know that she understood the law and made the best decision she could make for herself and her baby. We like to think that those other babies did not die in vain; we choose to think that those angels’ stories helped our birth mom know how to make a better choice. We thank God every day for the decision she made and pray that she has found peace with it.

Maya continues to move fast. Since I began writing this a week ago, she has learned to sit up, scoot across the floor, and give kisses. Our attorney has put her on a fast track as well, and we expect her adoption to be final this month.

We feel truly blessed.

Continued from cover page.

4 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

Klingberg Society (Gifts of $3,000 and up)Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Niemeyer

The Gothberg Society (Gifts between $1,000 and $2,999)Mr. and Mrs. Jerry CoghlanDr. Marygrace ElsonHuen Electric, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hughes Mr. and Mrs. William JonesMr. and Mrs. Gary Kasik Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGeeMr. and Mrs. Richard MillsMr. and Mrs. Steve PagnottaRobert Wood Johnson Mr. and Mrs. William Rybak Mr. and Mrs. Mark Smith Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Springer

The Avey Society (Gifts between $500 and $999) Mr. and Mrs. Renald BiesboerMr. and Mrs. Steven Boender Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey HollingsMr. and Mrs. Ronald KnutsonKnutte & Associates, P.C.Mr. and Mrs. Eric LemkeMr. William Mastro Mr. and Mrs. Edward MullinsMr. and Mrs. James ParkerMr. and Mrs. David Slinkman Mr. and Mrs. Gregory SmithMr. and Mrs. Lynn Stetson Mr. and Mrs. John Steury

Friend of Sunny Ridge (Gifts between $1 and $499)Allstate Giving Campaign Ms. Barbara Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Anderson Ms. Marni Anderson

In addition to our special events and fundraisers, Sunny Ridge offers donors the opportunity to support our mission through the Annual Fund at Sunny Ridge. Listed below are the names of those who have contributed to our Annual Fund during the fiscal year, July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Your Annual Fund contribution helps Sunny Ridge serve children and build families around the world. We celebrate your commitment to children, families, and our mission. Thank you!

THE ANNUAL FUND AT SUNNY RIDGE

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Arvidson Mr. and Mrs. William Baker Mr. and Mrs. David Balkema Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bergstrom Mr. and Mrs. Paul Betten Mr. and Mrs. Eric Beyler Mr. and Mrs. David Bianchi Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Blair Mr. and Mrs. Robert Borla Mr. and Mrs. John Breen Ms. Melissa Brown Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Burke Mr. and Mrs. James Butsch Ms. Laura Cain Mr. and Mrs. Robert Campbell Ms. Mary Carlson Ms. Jackie Cavin Ms. Carol Cederlund Ms. Diane Cederlund Mr. and Mrs. George Chandler Mr. and Mrs. Frank Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Clark Ms. Jacqueline Clark Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Clayton Mr. and Mrs. Sean Connelly Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey DesJarlais Mr. and Mrs. Michael Devine Mr. and Mrs. John DeYoung Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fawkes Fidelity Charitable Gift FundMr. and Mrs. Frederick Fosnot Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Foster Mr. and Mrs. William Gade Ms. Jean Gagliardi Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Gallas Mr. and Mrs. Steven GaspardoThe Gerber FoundationMs. Ann Gibbons Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gilligan Mr. and Mrs. Alberto Gonzalez Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Greenberg

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Guest Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gustafson Mr. and Mrs. Gary Guzzardo Ms. Kathleen Hart Mr. and Mrs. William Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Richard Heller Mr. and Mrs. Gene Hochberg ITG, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. John Janas Mr. and Mrs. John Jellema Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Mark Johnson Ms. Michelle Johnston Mr. and Mrs. James Jordan Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Kaapke Mr. and Mrs. John Keane Mr. and Mrs. James Kersten Mr. and Mrs. Peter Knapp Mr. and Mrs. Mark Larson Ms. Bernadette LaszewskiMr. and Mrs. Brendan LeeMr. Richard LifshitzMr. and Mrs. Paul LindemulderMr. and Mrs. Rodney LindgrenMr. and Mrs. John LumpkinMr. and Mrs. Kevin LynchMr. and Mrs. Michael LynchMr. and Mrs. Christian MahnkeMr. and Mrs. Gary MattesMr. and Mrs. Edward MatushekMr. and Mrs. John McCormickMr. and Mrs. Thomas MehokMr. and Mrs. Grant MichaelsonMr. and Mrs. Mark MondralaMr. and Mrs. Kenneth MorrisonMr. and Mrs. Craig MousinMr. and Mrs. Ronald MrozMr. and Mrs. William MurphyMs. Deborah NelsonMr. and Mrs. Thomas NewmanMr. and Mrs. Kirk OliverMr. and Mrs. James Owen

Mr. and Mrs. Robert PageMr. and Mrs. Michael PelletierMr. and Mrs. John PetersMr. and Mrs. Douglas PinneyMs. Camilla Pollock-FlynnMr. and Mrs. James QuinlivanMr. and Mrs. Jim ReynoldsMr. and Mrs. Lawrence RoweMr. and Mrs. Mark RubensteinMs. Laura ScaliaMr. and Mrs. Timothy ScarffMr. and Mrs. Luke SchaapMr. and Mrs. Ruth SchaferMr. and Mrs. Vincent SchwartzMr. and Mrs. Edward SeimetzMr. and Mrs. Leonard ServedioMr. and Mrs. John ShermanMr. and Mrs. Clarence SmitMs. Norma SmitMr. and Mrs. Gregory SmithMr. and Mrs. Lester SommersMr. and Mrs. Craig SouleMr. and Mrs. Terrence StefanyMr. and Mrs. Jerold StefekMr. and Mrs. Mark SterkMr. and Mrs. Roger StilesMs. Jill StreitMr. and Mrs. Daniel SzynalMr. and Mrs. Emil TessinMr. and Mrs. Richard TheobaldMr. and Mrs. Brian TischendorfMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey TuckerMr. and Mrs. Daniel WaberMs. Maria WardMr. and Mrs. Charles WerrHon. Bonnie Wheaton Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Wirth

Make a donation to the Annual Fund at Sunny Ridge today! Visit www.sunnyridge.org/annual

5 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

GIRLS GROUPS AT SUNNY RIDGE

Earlier this year, Sunny Ridge introduced two new Girls Groups called “Expressions” for adopted girls, ages 9-12 and 13-17. The response thus far has been most positive. During group time together, the girls openly discuss peer issues, relationship conflicts, struggles with parents, and feelings about adoption.

While the girls meet, parents are invited to gather for their own support group. Parents can discuss parenting strategies, offer advice, suggest practical tools, and provide one another with empathy and support. Parents take comfort in hearing they are not the only ones struggling in certain areas or finding it difficult to balance life.

Groups are held at Sunny Ridge on Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. The girls participate in games, activities, and crafts centered on various topics that are of importance to the girls and young women. They truly enjoy the opportunity to connect, share, and laugh together, as well as support one another within a positive environment.

Girls Groups are led by Pam Shepard MSW, LCSW, Supervisor of Parent Training and Counseling Services. Pam has been pleased with the feedback of these groups. “The feedback that I have received from the girls and their parents has been overwhelmingly positive. They feel accepted for who they are; better yet they have a connection with their peers that usually doesn’t exist.”

Pam believes the “adoption” component of the group is key, not because it is the only topic of discussion, but because all of the girls share this in common. “Most of the girls have always felt different due to being adopted in some way, whether looking different

Is It Adoption or Not? By far the most common question

asked by adoptive parents has to do with determining whether adoption is a factor in their child’s behavior, thoughts, or feelings. They may ask:

• “Couldn’t this just be a typical, common issue faced by ALL children?”

• “Why would adoption be a factor if they have been placed with us since they were a baby?”

• “HowdoIfixthisformychild?CanIfixthis for my child?”

All human beings are different and unique. We all process things in our own way, but we also can’t deny that our childhood and our past has affected us orinfluencedus.Adoptedchildrenareno different. Adoption is a unique way in which to form a family or to become a part of a family. Whether your child is processing adoption consciously or subconsciously, they are digging through layers of feelings.

The short answer to “Is it Adoption or Not?” is yes, most likely. The long answer is that there are many factors to be considered, but if a child is adopted, most of their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are in some way connected to orwovenintothestrugglesordifficultiestheyareexperiencing.Noadoptionstorystarts because everything is going great. Remember: adoption is a lifelong journey; it’s not a one-time event.

from their family, being born in a different country, or having another set of parents,” says Pam. “In the group though, they don’t have to answer the sometimes awkward and rude questions because the participants already understand.”

When adoption is common among all the participants, it allows the girls to concentrate on other areas of their lives where they may need assistance, such as peers, school, parents, siblings, or significant others. The girls who attend have shared how they love coming to group, and how they “feel safe” here.

The group has resulted in the extension of friendships outside of the group meetings. We have seen several girls “turn corners” and develop stronger and more meaningful relationships with their parents. The group has provided some girls with an increased sense of self-worth and raised their self esteem. The group has enabled some girls to express their emotions in healthier and more appropriate ways. The group has also helped some parents realize that they would like to seek additional help and services to help them with parenting strategies.

If Girls Groups could benefit your child, or if you would like more information on any of our Counseling & Therapy Services, call Pam Shepard, LCSW, Supervisor of Parent Training and Adoption Counseling Services at (630) 754-4522.

Adoption Counseling & Therapy Services

Services for adopted children and teens, adoptive parents, and adoptive families

6 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

China Waiting Child/Special Needs Program

CURRENT ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES

Since 1994, Sunny Ridge has worked with the China Center for Children’s WelfareandAdoption(CCCWA)tofindlovingfamiliesforchildrenfromChina. Since that time, Sunny Ridge has placed over 850 children from 20 provinces. In 2009, Sunny Ridge was honored with the opportunity to findfamiliesforchildrenwhoarepartofChina’sWaitingChildAdoptionProgram. We have now placed 34 children through the China Waiting Child Adoption Program.

Children with special medical needs are in need of a family for a variety of reasons, including the social stigma of having a physical disability and the lack of affordable health care treatments. Often more boys await a family through the China Waiting Child Adoption Program. Typically when families choose to adopt from China, they have their mind set on adopting a girl. This means little boys in this program can often wait twice as long for their forever family.

Children in the China Waiting Child Adoption Program have anywhere from minor, correctable medical needs to more involved needs. They may range in age from one year of age to 13 years of age, with healthy children over the age of eight also available. Children of both genders are in need of a family. Before a family has access to a referral, they should have a completed home study. Families must also complete a Medical Conditions Checklist and have researched the conditions that they are open to accepting.

Great news! Sunny Ridge Family Center now has the opportunity tofindlovingfamiliesforchildrenfromHaiti.Earlierthisyear, Sunny Ridge was selected as one of the 19 US adoption agencies accredited to operate as an adoption facilitator in Haiti. This accreditation comes as the Haitian government now completes the necessary changes in order to convert their system to Hague Convention standards for intercountry adoption. Haiti’s central authority for international adoption, l’InstitutduBien-EtreSocialeetdeRecherches(IBESR),willnow play a major role in the matching of children with adoptive applicants. The accreditation process began last year when Haiti ratifiedtheHagueConventiononIntercountryAdoption.Wearedelighted to have the opportunity to place more children into forever families through our Haiti Adoption Program. Sunny Ridge is now accepting applications for our Haiti Adoption Program. Those interested in adopting from Haiti are encouraged to review our Haiti Adoption Program materials on our website at www.sunnyridge.org.

Haiti Adoption Program at Sunny Ridge

For more information on the China Waiting Child or Haiti Adoption Programs, please contact Jessica Augsburger, China & Haiti Program Coordinator, at (630) 754-4532.

7 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

families have inquired about our “Search & Reunion Services” as a way to connect with a birth parent separated by adoption. See our website under “After the Adoption” for information on these services. ...Regular Adoption Information Meetings held at Sunny Ridge provide an overview of the various adoption opportunities available to families. See our website for upcoming dates and times.

Birth Parent Services Sunny Ridge continues to offer free birth parent counseling and support services to those making important decisions about their child’s future. Sunny Ridge meets with women who wish to consider

China Special Needs Adoption Our China Special Needs

(Waiting Child) Program continues to grow. Sunny Ridge has now matched 34 children with families in the Waiting Child Program since it began in May 2009. Most of these children are now home with their forever families. One family will be leaving to adopt their child within the next few weeks! Another family is matched with a child and waiting for paperwork, and still another family is waiting to be matched. Several additional families are just now starting their exciting journey. This program is currently open and accepting new families. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about this program, be sure to visit our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/sunnyridgefamily. Here you can see a new video presentation, highlighting the program and featuring two families who have chosen to adopt through this program. You may also visit our website at www.sunnyridge.org, or call Jessica Augsburger, China Waiting Child Program Coordinator, at (630) 754-4532.

Counseling, Education and Training Sunny Ridge continues to provide education, training, and support to individuals and families touched by adoption. We understand that adoption is a lifelong process, and the need for adoption-competent support, education, and advocacy continues long after an adoption has been finalized. Over

the past year, services to families utilizing our counseling and therapy services have continued to increase. Some families have come for a one-time appointment, while other families benefit from ongoing sessions. ...Sunny Ridge now accepts BlueCross BlueShield PPO for our counseling and therapy services. ...Stay connected to our latest offerings by signing up to receive regular email from Sunny Ridge. Visit our website to subscribe. Families can also participate in our offerings for adopted children and adoptive families,

such as the W.I.S.E. Up! Workshop and various adoptive parent workshops announced throughout the year. Visit our website regularly, and be sure Sunny Ridge has your email address so you can learn more about these future offerings.

Domestic Adoption Our Domestic Adoption Program continues to serve all members of the adoption triad at various stages of their lives—educating, counseling, facilitating relationships, working through grief and loss, identity issues, celebrating, providing post-adoption services and searches, and responding to those who need to keep in touch. Recently several

adoption for their baby. Our staff is available by calling 800-BABY MOM. Sunny Ridge accepts the challenge of providing professional services and practical planning to women during this important time in their life. We want women to know they have choices, and our goal is to offer adoption as an option, without pressure, in a way that honors the woman as a parent making decisions for their child. In addition to counseling, our services may include foster care and referrals for medical care. Women who receive our services are not required to place their children for adoption. In fact, many of the women we serve elect

PROGRAM NOTES AND NEWS

Welcome Home, Meghan!

to parent their children. Sunny Ridge continues to educate on the option of adoption at hospitals and health care clinics. Do you know someone working in a clinic or hospital setting who should know about our services to women considering adoption? If so, please contact Nancy Crouch, Supervisor of Adoption Services, (630) 754-4526. Remember our program receives no state funding and is supported through voluntary contributions, fundraising events, and adoptive family fees. Share in our mission with your regular financial support and referrals to help Sunny Ridge provide professional services to those in need.

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER: The Belling Family traveled this summer to the Anhui Province in China to complete the adoption of their daughter, Meghan.

8 SUNNY RIDGE VIEWS

270 Remington Boulevard, Suite CBolingbrook, Illinois 60440www.sunnyridge.org

SUNNY RIDGEFAMILY CENTER

REMEMBER SUNNY RIDGE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The annual fund at sunny ridge

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPermit No. 126

Elgin, IL

Watch the mail for a holiday message from Sunny Ridge Family Center—and your opportunity to

support the mission of Sunny Ridge with a year-end holiday gift.

Your generosity helps provide for children, individuals, and families who come to us in need. The

Annual Fund at Sunny Ridge helps “bridge the gap” between revenue from services we provide,

and the cost to provide those services. No matter the size of your gift, every dollar makes a

difference. And remember, you can also make a gift online at www.sunnyridge.org/annual.

Thank you for your continued support for Sunny Ridge Family Center.

Do we have your email address?Subscribe to the Sunny Ridge E-News and stay connected to our agency events and information. Visit www.sunnyridge.org