Bethany Christian Services of Illinois Spring Event

Celebrating its 7th annual Spring luncheon, Bethany Christian Services of Illinois - Chicago Branch attracted more than 200 guests. The Spring luncheon serves to secure much needed operational funds for the Chicago Branch, which serves hundreds of families and children in the central and northern Illinois. The event was themed "Strengthening Children and Families" and held at The Carlisle.

Rebecca MacDougall, the Executive Director of the Chicago Branch, gave a moving speech on the impact Bethany has had in Illinois. She emphasized that, "Bethany doesn't find children for families, but rather Bethany finds families for children." She was followed by other speakers who were the recipients of the Bethany’s services. For example, a birth father recounted how he and the mother of their child developed an adoption plan in hopes that their child would grow up in a stable and loving home. Another speaker described how he came to be adopted by a family in suburban Chicago and went on to tell how he and his family developed a school is his native country for children with special needs. Lastly, another speaker shared how they didn’t intend on adopting three children, but how God had different plans for them.

The Chairman of the Board, Roy Van Eck of Van Eck & Dykstra, Inc., presented the 2018 Champions for Children awards to the Chicago Christian High School National Honor Society and to the Boersema Family for their exceptional volunteer service to the mission of Bethany.

Bethany Christian Services of Illinois - Chicago Branch would like to recognize the generosity of businesses that helped to make our Spring luncheon a grand success. The following are Bethany of Christian Services of Illinois corporate sponsors: Clarence Davids and Company; Colonial Chapel Ltd; DJ's Lawrence & Landscaping, Inc.; Illinois Right to Life; Korall Coporation; MacDougall Tree Service, Inc.; Olthof Homes LLC; Ozinga Bros Inc.; Providence Bank & Trust; Schmid Family; Van Eck Family; Walt's Food Center; and Windy City Plastics.

Due to their partnership and the generosity of numerous donors, Bethany will be able to continue to serve central and northern Illinois by providing: 1) Safe Families for Children – network of volunteer host families who help parents in need of temporary care for their children as they work through hardships such as homelessness; 2) Family Counseling – individuals, couples, groups, and families (including children, adolescents, and adults) to help families work through issues related to adjustment, early trauma, abuse/neglect, anxiety and depression, behavioral or learning difficulties, developmental concerns, eating disorders, grief/loss, martial difficulties, peer/sibling conflicts, separation, divorce, stress or anger management, etc.; 3) Adoptions – families are served through a variety of forms of adoption options: foster care, infant, and international; 4) Post Adoption Services – support services range from education, support for search and reunion, and referrals in the local community; and, 5) Pregnancy Support – free pregnancy counseling services including financial support for housing and medical services should the parent be homeless; thus, ensuring the best health of the parent and unborn child. Due to a growing need for ADOPTS™ and proven effectiveness, we are seeking to add it as a program this year.

In addition, it was announced by a Board Member, Robert Schmid, that our local Caring Connection Fund Committee has offered a $1,550 grant to each of the first five families who complete and have an approved International Formal Application before March 31, 2018. For more information on the grant, please go to Bethany.org/CaringConnection. To learn more about Bethany Christian Services of Illinois - Chicago Branch go to https://www.bethany.org/chicago.