National Conference NEWS: Hotel Information

Click on image to enlarge.

Here is some information and options regarding hotel accommodations for the National Conference. The Hilton Garden Inn is actually attached to the Davis Conference Center and has a group rate when the Group/Convention Code is used. (You can find that discount code on the Registration Page under the "Lodging" tab.) However, The Hilton Garden Inn has a tendency to fill up rather quickly with conference attendees. If it is full, the above information may help you find an alternate place to stay.

We can't wait to see you at the conference. Only 38 more days!

National Conference NEWS: Classes for Birth Families

Click HERE to be taken to the FSA Birth Parent Blog.

Did you know that the National Conference is not just for adoptive couples and adoptive families?

For the last 2 years a "birth parent track" of classes was added to the conference and this year promises to be the best yet!

A committee of birth parents and birth grandparents has designed a spectacular conference especially with birth families in mind. There are classes for prospective birth parents, birth parents who have already placed, birth grandparents, birth mothers and birth fathers.

The following classes are only available for birth parents, prospective birth parents and their guests:

• Why Adoption?
• Finding the Right Adoptive Couple
• Deciding Who, When and How to Tell
• Staying Involved (in FSA)
• Telling your Children Your Adoption Story
• Husbands of Birth Mothers
• Grief and Moving Forward

And here are some classes that are open for everyone but still designed with birth parents in mind:

• Open Adoption: It's About Family
• Communication: The Secret to a Successful Open Adoption
• Birth Father Panel
• Closed Adoption
• Adopted Children Panel
• Birth Parent Panel
  
• How do I guide & support my child? (Birth Grandparents)
• Grief Process for Birth Grandparents
• Who you are is not what you've done

Conference registration is FREE for birth parents.
Click HERE to register.

FSA National Conference Service Projects

The best way to find yourself
is to lose yourself in the service of others.
~Mohandas Ghandi


This year, Families Supporting Adoption will be hosting a service project at the annual conference. Collection baskets will be set up for conference participants to have the opportunity to serve two great organizations in collecting items that they are in need of. Please bring your donations with you to the conference.



The first organization we will be collecting items for is Birth Mother Baskets.

Birth Mother Baskets is a non-profit organization started by Gina Crotts. Gina is a birth mother and refers to the daughter she placed as her "little butterfly." In an effort to give back to the adoption community and serve other women who have placed and may need some additional love, Gina created Birth Mother Baskets. Donated items are arranged into beautiful baskets and sent to birth mothers in need. We are honored to be part of her cause this year.

Items that we would love to collect for Birth Mother Baskets include:

• Journals
• Lotions
• Bath Salts
• Bath Bubbles
• Movies
• Jewelry
• 8 x 10 or 5 x 7 photo frames
• Music CD's
• Inspirational Books
• Hair Products
• Make-Up
• Fingernail Polish
• Manicure/Pedicure Sets
• Photo Albums
• Magazines
• Small Blankets
• Slippers
• Stuffed Animals
• Gift Certificates (massages, spa treatments, pedicure, manicure, movies or book store, etc.)
• Large Baskets (Gina recommends laundry sized wicker baskets at Wal-Mart for only $4.00)
• Tissue Paper
• Ribbon
• Candles

We will also be collecting school supplies for The Christmas Box International.

The friendly environment of the Christmas Box Houses are unique. Children are brought into the shelter program after being removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Instead of spending the night in less comfortable circumstances, they are able to arrive at the House were the staff is immediately available to talk to children and explain what is happening, what will happen, and why. The House staff provides a sense of caring, warmth and continuity at a very difficult time in a child's life.

Currently there are three Christmas Box Houses located in the state of Utah in Salt Lake, Ogden and Moab. The Houses all have the basic concept of a child-friendly, calm, home-like atmosphere and have added programs and services to meet the unique needs of the children in the communities they serve.

School supplies that we would love to collect for The Christmas Box House include:

• #2 Pencils
• Glue Sticks
• Backpacks
• Boxes of Tissue
• Pink Erasers
• Broad Tip Markers
• Scissors
• Pencil Cases
• Wide-Ruled Spiral Bound Notebooks
• Pocket Folders
• Crayons
• Packages of Wide Ruled Loose Leaf Paper

We can't wait to see you at the Conference!
Don't forget to register HERE.