December 4, 2014 VOLU M E 9 1 | I SS UE 1 6
LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Jeffco kids find forever homes Families recognized for National Adoption Day By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com The holidays are a time for bringing families together. And for 22 families in Jeffco, they celebrated the seasonal reunion early during National Adoption Day through Jefferson County Human Services. Twenty-nine children found permanent homes with their longtime committed foster parents on Saturday, Nov. 22. “Today we don’t make families, we recognize families,” said Justice Brian Boatright of the Colorado Supreme Court. “Adoption isn’t an event, adoption is a promise that is acted out over a lifetime.” National Adoption Day started in 2000 when hundreds of children were adopted on a single day which brought awareness to children in need in foster care. Since that time, National Adoption Day has had more than 40,000 children who have been adopted on this special day. Chris and Trivinia Barber who have two biological children and one adoptive child; Miranda, 4 were present on Saturday to adopt Miranda’s sister, Elyse who is 22 months old. “She (Elyse) has a great story in that ad-
THE 10 B’S OF ADOPTION Be OK with all the emotions of today It’s OK to be happy and sad Be Together Be a family that celebrates adoption Be a parent with a sense of humor Be loving Be like Elsa from Frozen and let it go Be thankful Be proud Be brave as an adoptive parent — The Mink family dition to Miranda who she is placed with, she has three other siblings that are places in two other adoptive homes,” Trivinia Barber said. “Both of those families are really open to relationship so she gets to see all of her siblings and just really have a life-long relationship with them. It’s really important to us.” The Barbers were influenced to adopt through their church which spotlighted the need for adoption of local children. “I really wasn’t aware of how much need there really was for foster and adoptive kids just locally,” Chris Barber said. The Barber’s church introduced the couple to Project 1.27, a local Christian foster care and adoption services program that helps to train and support foster and adoptive parents. The program has been connecting foster children with families
Noel Mink talks about what its like being an adoptive family with her husband Chris; not pictured and their two children; Lexi, 6, and Jerimiah, 9, at the Jefferson County Courthouse on National Adoption Day, on Saturday, Nov. 22. Photo by Amy Woodward for nearly 10 years after it was reported in Dec. 2004 that 875 children were legally available for adoption in the Colorado foster care system. Christopher and Noel Mink, along with their children; Lexi, 6, and Jerimiah, 9, spoke about their experiences as being an adoptive family to a large crowd of eager parents and children before their official courtroom appearance. The Mink’s created the 10 B’s of Adop-
tion to help adoptive families through the positive and often trying times of making a family whole. “Jerimiah wrote No. 8, he said it’s OK to be happy and to be sad,” Noel Mink said. “He said being in a foster home is lonely but being adopted gives you people to play with. You might feel sad for other kids still in the foster home but you can be happy that you were adopted.” “Yes, that is true.” Jerimiah said.
The 12 cases that house Barbara Gal’s “45 Years in Colorado” tell the state’s story by focusing on different areas around Colorado. The exhibit is made up of hundreds of images. Barbara Gal’s “45 Years in Colorado” captures the past and present with hundreds of images. Photos courtesy of the Denver International Airport
Forty-five years, hundreds of views DIA plays hosts to photographer’s visual story By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com The Denver International Airport was built far away from some of the Colorado’s most famous locations, but 45 years of photographs by Barbara Gal will give travelers a sampling of the state. DIA is exhibiting Gal’s show, “45 Years in Colorado” in the Community Case Gallery on the southeast end of Level 5 in Jeppesen Terminal, near the baggage claim. The show will be on display through May 2015. “I got my first camera when I was 10 years old and have been taking photos ever since,” said Gal. “People who have been in Colorado for a long time will see
plenty of places they remember and new people will have chance to share in Colorado history.” Some of the more well-known sites in the exhibit include Denver’s skyline, Peru Creek Mines, RTD’s W Rail line, and Denver’s Civic Center. Gal first moved to Colorado in 1971 and has taken photos the entire time she’s been here. As an art and photography and art teacher at Columbine High School, she developed a deep and lasting appreciation for what photography makes possible. “Taking photos has kind of become a compulsion for me,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve heard a lot of great stories from people with this exhibit.” The exhibit is set up like a map, using photographs to tell stories of different locations — like I-70 or downtown Denver — through time. Many of the places Gal photographed have changed dramatical-
ly since she captured the image on film. Some have even been completely erased. Since retiring from teaching, Gal said she has had time to explore new parts of the state with her camera, and became involved with arts groups. She is a member of the NEXT Gallery and a founding member of 40 West Arts District. “Barbara has been involved since the beginning — she was part of our original champion group,” said Bill Marino, chair of 40 West. “She has been involved in almost every show we’ve done and volunteers with us a lot. It was a great selection by the folks at DIA to show her work.” When she looks at the exhibit, Gal sees the story of her life told with images. “Each one of the 12 cases has a story — it’s a collage of history,” she said. “I wasn’t born here but this is now my state. For more information on DIA’s arts and culture program, visit www.flydenver.com/about/art_culture.