Highlights and Happenings at AFSN:

AFSN is changing locations!  We are staying in the Masonic Temple Building, just moving upstairs to Suite #108. Our new address will be:  AFSN, 233 E. Fulton, Ste #108, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

A Special “Thank You” to Supporters of AFSN’s 2009 programming:

We couldn’t have as much fun as we do; helping the family and friends AFSN serves were it not for our generous private, community and corporate donors.

Please take a moment to consider this list of corporate and community sponsors and what their contributions have meant to you!

Bethany Christian Services – Harvesting Family Fun w/ Rhonda Roorda, Adoption Celebration, Heart Gallery

Building Science Academy – It Takes A Team:  Healing the Broken Hearts of Children, Adoption Celebration, Heart Gallery

Catholic Charities of West Michigan – Adoption Celebration, Heart Gallery

D.A. Blodgett – Adoption Celebration, Heart Gallery, underwriting of Support Group Child Care

Fifth Third Bank – Adoption Celebration, Heart Gallery

Grand Rapids Community College – Adoption Celebration, Heart Gallery,

GVSU – Adoption Celebration, It Takes A Team:  Healing the Broken Hearts of Children

IARC – Educational Program Scholarships

Please visit our “CONTRIBUTIONS” pages if you are interested in supporting families touched by adoption.

AFSN begins its first Educational-Support- Workshop January 19, 2010.  Advanced Parenting for the Challenging Child Education-Support-Workshop

This program is full.  This workshop will meet bi-monthly for 4 months.  If you or someone you know is interested in attending a similar program in the future, please contact the AFSN office, registration@afsn.org .  See our Events Page for more details.

AFSN is exhibiting at the GRCC Family Matters Expo, February 20, 2010 from 11:00 am to 3:00pm. Fun Events and Games, Resources and Community Outreach are what the GRCC Family Matters Expo is all about.  Stop by GRCC’s Gerald R. Ford Field House and get connected because your family matters.

Future Programming:

March 13, 2010, Melanie Hogeterp, MSW, parenting coach/consultant offers a free program to adoptive parents based on the Beyond Consequences Model. This presentation will also focus on Dr. Bruce Perry’s Brain Research.    Melanie and her husband Kevin are adoptive parents as well as long time members of the AFSN community.  See our “EVENTS” page for more details.

Coming Soon:  Social Strategies for Social Integration with Terri Cooper, MSOT, OTR. Even if your child has never been formally diagnosed with sensory integration difficulties yet has other behavioral issues, consider attending this event.  Terri’s workshop offers tools, exercises and strategies to assist in all sorts of behavioral situations.  She has worked with a number of AFSN families by indentifying sensory integration problems and develops personalized plans for improvement.  See our “EVENTS” page for more details.

Teen Adoptee Advisory Board – is your teen a leader; interested in connecting with and helping other adopted teens?  We would like to gather a group of young individuals to assist AFSN’s Program Committee develop mentoring services and programs geared strictly for teen adoptees.  Please contact our program coordinator Brooke Van Prooyen at brooke@afsn.org if you are interested in participating.

Are you interested in learning more about the need for adoptive support in Michigan and ways you can help?

Click here for this short video link. You’ll need to make sure you temporarily allow pop-ups so the video player can open. Sometimes, some computers may ask you to install ActiveX. Please click yes; this will not harm your computer.

AFSN sends out an e-news bulletin w/ program updates as well as invites to special community events each month.

Are you part of our family / data base? Not sure? Either way click on the “Contact US” link and make sure we have your updated information. If you complete the entire profile we will be better able to direct “pertinent” information, your way. Rest assured we do not share personal information with outside parties. Profile information is also required by our operating grants. Contact Us.