on the web | adoption
Finding Family Sometimes the next step toward growing a family is just a click away. These sites cover everything from international adoption to local adoption, foster care to youth mentoring. B y l a u r e n y o u ng
Our Little Tongginator ourlittletongginator.blogspot.com Tongginator is just one of the many creative nicknames this mommy blogger uses to identify the people in her life. The Tonggu Momma shares her musings as an adoptive mother of two in her blog Our Little Tongginator. Her humorous anecdotes and heartfelt stories give wonderful insight into what it is like to be an adoptive parent to two young Chinese girls nicknamed Tongginator and Mei Mei. Mei Mei joined the family this June. Tonggu Momma has blogged about the entire process of adopting her girls, including her trips to China to meet them for the first time. Currently her posts illuminate Mei Mei’s struggles to adjust to life outside of China.
The Missouri Heart Gallery Project moheartgallery.org Thousands of children are waiting to find a “forever home” in America today. Many of these children are older, and because of their age, it is more difficult for them to be adopted. Diane Granito, a foster and adoptive parent recruiter for the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Development and founder of Heart Gallery in 2001, and New Mexico photographer Cathy Maier Callanan saw a way to help these older children and sibling groups find permanent homes, and the Heart Gallery was born. Local professional photographers donate photographs in the gallery. These photographers take the time to get to know the children so the pictures reflect their personalities. The rate of adoption of these older children and sibling groups increased immediately after the launch of the Heart Gallery in New Mexico, with six children adopted on the first day. Since 2001 the Heart Gallery Project has spread to 48 states including Missouri. Images of children waiting to be adopted in Missouri can be found in the virtual gallery on the Missouri Heart Gallery website.
Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri | lfcsmo.org Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri provides a multitude of services including adoption assistance, foster care, youth mentoring and counseling. The organization was founded shortly after the Civil War in 1868 as an orphanage. Today it is one of the original 40 founding member agencies of the Community Fund, now known as United Way. The website is well organized and easy to navigate. Information about adoption and other LFCS services can be found under the “Programs & Services” tab in the navigation bar.
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@KBIA Columbia and MU’s NPR affiliate. All the news you could ever want! @lil_jimmy_rnb The official voice of the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival! Look for festival updates, event information and ticket promotions. @PSGallery A contemporary fine art gallery located in downtown Columbia. @TheFoodBankMO Sharing food and bringing hope to hungry people for 30 years. @kampaialley Brand new sushi bar and restaurant in downtown Columbia. (Alley A in between Ninth and 10th streets).
Lauren Young is an avid blogger, ballroom dancer and traveler. She does not condone the use of hearts as replacements for the dot over a lower case I. Read her blog at thedirectionallychallenged.wordpress.com.
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