Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Sara Hanson

3,400 local children and youth are growing up in foster care. Over 1,000 need a permanent home today.

2011-11-01T22:00:14Z

November is National Adoption Month. As the nation recognizes this important social issue, counties and communities across California will promote adoption and permanency awareness through activities and events that bring attention to the needs of the over 25,000 children and youth living in foster care throughout the state waiting for families to love and adopt them.

November 3, 2011 is National Adoption Awareness Day. On November 3, 2011, the month-long effort will kick off, raising awareness about the thousands of children in California waiting for families, celebrating those special people who have provided a loving home to children in foster care, and inspiring others to come forward and be a forever family to children and youth.

Special Event
National Adoption Awareness Day - California State Capitol - “Calling Out of Names” - 11 am to 6 pm
On the North steps of the California State Capitol, state and community leaders, adoptive parents, former foster children and child advocates will “call out” the names of children and youth who continue to wait for family love and belonging. This meaningful event will recognize the thousands of children in California waiting for forever families as well as those who have come forward to provide permanency to children through adoption. Three local families will be recognized with 2011 Adoptive Family of the Year awards.

Adoption Orientation inside the State Capitol: 4:45pm – 5:45pm:
A unique and intimate orientation will be co-hosted by three local agencies specializing in finding permanent families for children and youth living in foster care. The orientation will be held inside the State Capitol in room 113 . This orientation is open to the general public.

A candlelight vigil concludes the event at 6pm.

Get Involved. Become A Parent.
To learn more about how you can help strengthen our community by becoming a permanent family to a child or children in foster care in the greater Sacramento area.
Please visit the websites of one of these sponsoring agencies:
          EMQ FamiliesFirst: www.emqff.org
          Lilliput Children's Services: www.lilliput.org
          Sierra Forever Families: www.sierraff.org

November 1-14:
The Capitol Heart Gallery – a display of beautifully taken photographs of children and youth living in foster care in California and continue to wait for a family – is featured at the State Capitol.

Disclosure: Written by: Sara Hanson, Public Relations Specialist, Sierra Forever Families and the National Adoption Month Coalition

Waste Connections, Inc. supports charitable golf tournament with proceeds to help children in foster care.

2011-10-04T22:10:36Z

Waste Connections, Inc. sponsored and helped fundraise $145,000 during Sierra Forever Families’ seventh annual Golf Classic for Kids tournament at Serrano Country Club on Sept. 12.

The funds raised during this year’s tournament will help more than 20 children living in foster care find permanent placements with loving families. This tremendous success of the 2011 tournament would not be as significant without the gracious support of Ron Mittelstaedt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, along with Jerri Hunt, Vice President of Employee Relations, of Waste Connection, Inc.

Hunt, who retired from the Board of Directors of Sierra Forever Families in July, served as the four-time Chair of the Golf Classic Committee. Hunt’s passion for the cause and her enthusiastic leadership of the committee proved to be an integral part to the success and continuation of the tournament. For the past four years, Mittelstaedt and Hunt have donated their time and have worked with national vendors and global business associates to help prepare and sponsor the agency’s signature fundraising event. Some of these sponsors include but are not limited to the following: Evergreen Flexible Bonding Solution, Littler Mendelson, Blue Shield of California, Pacific Coast Companies, Inc., RecycleBank, the SureWest Foundation, and Vision Service Plan.

During their four-year involvement with the tournament and enduring support of the agency’s mission, Waste Connections, Inc. helped Sierra Forever Families raise more than $550,000, transforming the lives of more than 110 children living in local foster care.

At this year’s tournament closing ceremony, hosted by local personality Kelly Brothers, Hunt was recognized for her leadership with an excellence in service award and stated in her acceptance speech that helping children through this tournament has been, “the most important project of my life.”

One of the most touching recognition pieces Hunt received during the closing ceremonies were two homemade thank you cards from two sisters who directly benefitted from the efforts and commitment of Waste Connections, Inc.

Bob Herne, Executive Director of Sierra Forever Families, acknowledges Waste Connections, Inc. for their four-year commitment. In four years, Hunt, with the support her company and affiliates, has transformed a tournament that was heavily impacted by an ailing economy. “Her tireless efforts and passion to help children find the loving homes they deserve has successfully positioned Sierra’s Golf Classic as a tournament that is now regionally-known as one of Sacramento’s best,” said Herne.

Bob Herne continues, “Waste Connections, Inc. has generously benefitted local Sacramento charities for many years. With the support from Waste Connections, Inc., Sierra Forever Families has been able to transform the lives of hundreds of children living in foster care, which has not only impacted their lives, but the lives of their forever families, leading to increased opportunities of hope and positive outcomes for our children.”

Sierra Forever Families is committed to hosting the eighth annual Golf Classic for Kids tournament tentatively set for September 2012. For more information, or if you would like to be a sponsor for the tournament, contact Bobby Cobbs, Development and Public Relations Officer at 916.368.5114.

About Waste Connections, Inc.:
Waste Connections, Inc. is an integrated solid waste services company that provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services in mostly exclusive and secondary markets.The Company serves more than two million residential, commercial and industrial customers from a network of operations in 31 states. The Company also provides intermodal services for the movement of containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections, Inc. was founded in September 1997 and is headquartered in Folsom, California.

About Sierra Forever Families:
Founded in 1983, Sierra Forever Families mission is to transform the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. Traditionally focused on finding families for harder-to-place children living in foster care, Sierra has successfully placed more than 2,700 children with permanent, loving families in their 28 years of service. Since 2009, Sierra has also provided positive mentors to children who currently in foster care.

Disclosure: Written by: Sara Hanson, Public Relations Specialist, Sierra Forever Families

Sierra Forever Families Elects Dee Hartzog to Board of Directors

2010-04-01T17:21:16Z

Sierra Forever Families Elects Retired Attorney and Child Advocate Dee Hartzog to the Board of Directors.

Sacramento, CA – April 1, 2010 – Sierra Forever Families, Northern California nonprofit and industry leader in youth permanency, elects Dee Hartzog to its Board of Directors. Dee joins the 15 member board led by Eric Ratinoff, partner with Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff.

Dee Hartzog is a retired corporate attorney, having practiced 23 years with Weintraub, Genshlea & Chediak, a Sacramento law firm. Even before retirement, she began to realize the importance for a child to grow up in a loving and caring environment, both for the child and the community.

“I am extremely motivated by Sierra’s purpose and what it has accomplished,” remarked Dee, whose commitment to Sierra’s mission mirrors her passion for children, “Transforming children’s lives is my biggest passion.” As the grandmother of three small children, Dee sees first hand what nurturing can do for young children.

Dee has dedicated much of her time and her wealth of experience by serving on a number of non-profit boards, most of which are involved in helping children get a positive start in life. She currently serves on the following boards: Sutter’s Children’s Advisory Board, Mercy Foundation, and Mondavi Center Board, and previously she served on the board for Wonder, Inc.

“As president of the Board of Director for Sierra Forever Families, I am pleased that the board unanimously voted in favor of Dee’s nomination to the board.” Eric Ratinoff shared. “Dee’s passion for helping children and the experience she brings to the board will undoubtedly assist the agency in meeting its mission to transform the lives of children living in foster care.”

Sierra Forever Families mission is to transform the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. Through the leadership of our dedicated board and executive staff, Sierra has transformed the lives of over 2,500 children since its founding in 1983.

National Adoption Day is November 21

2009-11-18T23:25:20Z

November is National Adoption Month – Sacramento Shows its Commitment to Our Children

November 12 - Sacramento, California – Nationally, November is recognized at National Adoption Month. With nearly 500,000 children and youth living in foster across the country there is a tremendous need for families to come forward. In California, there are over 62,000 children and youth living in foster care and, of that, over 4,000 lived in the Greater Sacramento Region.

As the capital of California, Sacramento is committed to the children of our state who are living in foster care and are awaiting a permanent family. For many of these children, they have been removed from their birth families due to neglect, abuse and/or abandonment. Left to the system, these children will languish in foster care until they turn eighteen, and if a family or permanent connection is not found for these children, they will become a statistic – without a permanent family or connection, for youth who emancipate from the system at the age of eighteen, within 2-4 years, over 50% will be homeless, addicted to drugs, in prison or dead. This is unacceptable.

On November 21, National Adoption Day, Senator George Runner and Assemblyman Roger Niello will co-host an Adoption Resource Fair at Sunrise Community Church. The purpose of this event is to provide a call to action for area families and individuals who are considering helping a child by becoming an adoptive parent. Local foster/adoption agencies will be available to answer questions and provide resources to prospective families and post-adoption resources to existing foster/adoptive families. The event takes place from 11am – 3pm, with registration at 10:30am. Lunch and child care are available. To register: www.CommunityRenewal.net or call 916.349.1995.

Also taking place on November 21, Sacramento hosts a Calling Out of Names and Candlelight Vigil at the State Capitol from 2pm-5pm, concluding the event with a candlelight vigil on the north steps of the Capitol. Join government officials, child advocates, community leaders, adoptive families and former foster youth for this meaningful event. During the event, speakers will read aloud from a list of names of children living in California foster care. By reading aloud the names of the children who wait, Sacramento will stand up, speak and be the voice for the children who are waiting.

IKEA will recognize the Sierra Forever Families' Family of the Year with a $1,000 gift card during the event at the State Capitol. The Williams family has been selected as the Family of the Year. Michael and Michelle Williams have one biological daughter, Alexis, who is 10-years-old, and have expanded their family with the adoption of a sibling set of four. The children range in age from 20 months to 4 years. They truly are a wonderful family.

For those who are considering adopting a child, there are many resources available and tax incentives as well that will assist you in making the decision to welcome a child into your heart and home.

For more information on National Adoption Month and the activities taking place to support youth permanency, please contact: Sara Hanson at 916.368.5114 or visit www.sierraff.org

Sierra Adoption Services becomes Sierra Forever Families on July 1.

2009-06-30T19:28:13Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sara Hanson
Public Relations Specialist
shanson@sierraadoption.org
916.368.5114 ext. 237
fax: 916.368.5157

Nonprofit Known for Transforming the Lives of Children in Foster Care, Makes a Transformation of Its Own

June 18, 2009 – Sacramento, CA - For 25 years, Sierra Adoption Services has transformed the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. During that time, over 2,000 children and youth have found the love, acceptance and security of a permanent home – a forever family.

As of July 1, 2009, the agency’s name will change to Sierra Forever Families. The new name represents the culmination of many years of hard work by the agency’s board, staff and volunteers. Removing the word adoption from the agency’s name more accurately represents the wide range of services provided and enables the agency to assist more children in finding forever families.

The mission remains the same - to transform the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. Sierra promotes permanency. “A child’s forever family can look as different as the children we serve: returning to one’s birth family, going to live with relatives, adoption, or perhaps a permanent guardianship,” says Bob Herne, Executive Director. “Our priority remains providing each child in foster care with a safe and permanent family they can call their very own.”

With nearly 4,000 youth in the Greater Sacramento area living in foster care, Sierra provides permanency services to these youth through a variety of programs: Capital Kids are Waiting, Destination Family, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids and Placer Kids. All programs and services provided by Sierra are free and focus on finding permanent, loving homes for youth who are languishing in long-term foster care.

The necessity for families and community support is needed more than ever and will ensure positive outcomes for youth who are waiting for a forever family. If youth emancipate from the foster care system without a permanent connection, within 2-4 years, over 50% are homeless, addicted to drugs, in prison or dead. This outcome is devastating.

For a full listing of services and programs, or more information on becoming a parent or giving opportunities, please visit the agency’s redesigned its website at www.sierraff.org.

Opportunities for interviews with agency leadership and adoptive families are available upon request. Sierra would like the opportunity to reach your audience and would appreciate any assistance in securing features.

Sierra Adoption Services Launches New Customer-Focused Website To Promote Permanency for Youth Living in Foster Care

2009-04-02T18:43:51Z

April 2, 2009 – Sacramento, California - Sierra Adoption Services, a leader in providing permanence to children living in foster care, launched a brand new customer-focused, interactive website this week. The site, www.sierraff.org, which can also be accessed through www.sierraadoption.org, is designed in to meet the needs of our stakeholders, resource families and youth living in foster care.

“The agency was in desperate need of a new website,” said Bob Herne, Executive Director for Sierra Adoption Services. “Created by a volunteer over 10 years, the site had become antiquated; limiting how we update and maintain important communication to our stakeholders and prospective families.”

Sierra Adoption Services hired Circle Design, a local design and marketing firm, to guide the agency through the process and to create and implement a modern, user-friendly website to support in recruitment and fundraising efforts.

Bob added, “We vetted the proposed web content and usability upgrades with our staff, Board of Directors and stakeholders, and consulted with a leading public relations firm; the results greatly influenced the design of and development of our new site.”

Visitors to the site will easily access current information on the agency’s programs and services, requirements for becoming a resource family, profiles on available youth, online donation opportunities, upcoming special events and much more.

Beginning July 1, 2009, Sierra Adoption Services will become Sierra Forever Families. In the coming months, details of the exciting changes in store for the agency will also be communicated through the new website.

To allow search engines time to recognize the new site, Sierra has included a splash page from www.sierraadoption.org to direct visitors www.sierraff.org, which is the official new site for Sierra Forever Families.

About Sierra Adoption Services:

Founded over 25 years ago, Sierra Adoption Services mission is to transform the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. Traditionally focused on finding families for harder-to-place children living in foster care, Sierra has successfully placed over 2,000 with permanent, loving families and has helped hundreds more reunify with birth families or relatives.

For more information on Permanency Focused Foster Care and other ways to help local children living in foster care, please contact: Sara Hanson at 916-368-5114 or shanson@sierraadoption.org.