the radle Winter | 2012

TAKING FLIGHT: One Cradle Baby Shares his Passion with Another radle adoptee Bill CRADLE Event Rands (’43) has a FIRST LOOK FOR CHARITY C passion for planes. He Thursday, February 9, 2012 earned his private and com- McCormick Place, Chicago mercial pilot’s licenses in the 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. mid-1960s, during a stint in the Navy, but stopped flying This exclusive black-tie preview of the in 1968 to focus on work and Chicago Auto Show, the night before it family. After a nearly four- opens to the public, will benefit The Cradle decade hiatus, Bill took to the and 17 other local charities. The Cradle skies once again in 2007. Reception at First Look will feature Artbeat Live! – an entertaining and explosive perfor- Flight instructor Charlie Hilbrant gives student A story in The Cradle’s 2010 mance of expressionist speed painting. Blues Paden Taylor the thumbs up Annual Report caught Bill’s attention. He read about fel- Traveler will perform on the showroom floor low Cradle baby Paden Taylor (’05), and how the boy likes to visit with and every guest will be entered in a draw- the flight crew when he travels with his mom and dad. When asked what ing to win a 2012 Cadillac Escalade or SRX. he might like to be when he grows up, “a pilot” was among Paden’s top Tickets are $250. choices. Bill wanted to help foster this interest. For more information, visit: “I always had a strong interest in flying,” said Bill. “I was in the Navy from www.cradlefoundation.org/firstlook 1965 to 1967 as a NROTC officer stationed on a destroyer in Norfolk. I was a bachelor living on a ship, with no family or expenses, and a mess bill of around $30 a month, so I spent my wages on flying lessons at the local CONGRATULATIONS ! airport.” By the time he came out of the Navy, Bill had amassed 290 flight hours, earned two pilot’s licenses and was working on his instrument rating when he decided to put his love of flying on hold to pursue a different love.

Elizabeth “Happy” Endicott was a fellow Cradle adoptee (’44) Bill had known since childhood. The two played together as kids and attended the same school, but didn’t start dating until college. They married in 1967 and settled in the Detroit suburb where they had grown up. The couple had two children and Bill pursued a career in investment research.

Jump ahead to 2011. After reading about the polite and engaging young boy who always gets invited into the cockpit, Bill contacted Cradle President Julie Tye and offered to underwrite a private flying lesson for Paden. Bill had gotten back into flying a few years ago (“I had sort of for- gotten how much fun it was,” he remarked), taking lessons and learning all Dannette and Reginald Ford the current regulations. By March 2008 he was fully licensed, and by May welcomed baby Daniel into their 2011 he had earned his long-desired instrument rating. family on November 9th. (Continued on page 2)

The Cra ilies. dle's mission is nurturing fam to benefit children in and preserve ... by providing education, guidance and lifelong support to create, susta TAKING FLIGHT, continued from page 1 Bill takes every opportunity to encourage young people Besides the memories of his first flight lesson, Paden took who wish to fly. “I love getting kids involved in flying,” he home a beautiful logbook. “This is a ritual I always do,” Bill declared. The chance to get another Cradle baby involved was explained. “Give the child a logbook and enter the lesson in especially meaningful for him. the book.”

Paden’s mom, Sharon Wilson-Taylor, called Bill to make arrangements. “I was so moved by the generosity of someone who didn’t even know Paden,” she said.

On the morning of Saturday, October 1st, just a week after Paden’s sixth birthday, Sharon, her husband Dwight and Paden headed to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, where Windy City Flyers is based. They were met by flight instructor Charlie Hilbrant, who gave them a pre-flight lesson and walked them around the plane they’d be taking out: a four-seat, single-engine Cessna 172.

Charlie, who himself had started flying at 15, let Paden take the pilot’s seat. He was impressed by Paden’s calmness and composure, despite the boy’s obvious excitement. Sharon and Dwight climbed in the back seat and took lots of pictures to document this momentous event in their son’s life. Bill Rands with the Aeronca Champion tailwheel plane he flies During the 45-minute lesson the foursome flew downtown, where they had beautiful vistas of the Chicago skyline, Lake Bill’s own logbook currently has around 700 hours. He is Michigan and Soldier Field. They did some turns, climbs and president of a flying club out of Troy, Michigan that has forty descents. At one point Charlie said to Paden, “I’m going to let members and two planes. His current delight is piloting a go now and you’re in charge.” Paden rose to the occasion like WWII-era tailwheel plane – an aircraft which Bill says is more a pro, taking the wheel (or “yoke”) and experimenting with subtle, and requires more finesse than a nose wheel plane, pulling it toward him and pushing it away. “He loved it when and is therefore more satisfying to fly. the plane sped up,” Charlie observed with a laugh. “He’d give me a big smile.” Although Paden’s big adventure was a little rocky for his mom (who battled airsickness throughout the flight and won!), she And what was the hopeful young aviator’s favorite part of the marvels at the connection that was made that day. “It was a lesson? “Seeing where the Bears play down below us,” Paden wonderful experience we would not have had except for The replied enthusiastically. Sharon reports that as soon as they Cradle,” Sharon said. “We called it ‘Cradle in the sky’.” landed, Paden said, “Mom, let’s do this again!” In the thank you note she sent to the Rands, along with photos from the Windy City is one of the Chicagoland region’s largest flight day’s flight, Sharon wrote, “Bill and Happy you have planted schools. For more information visit www.windycityflyers.com. the seed, it is now our job to see that it grows.”

REFLECTIONS FROM a Cradle Baby

Father Ken Simpson (Cradle ’52) is pastor at Chicago’s St. Clement Church. Following is an excerpt from his message in a recent church bulletin:

My adoption is the cornerstone of my life. This is my definitive experience of grace. It is the source of the overwhelming gratitude which guides my best days. It is the motivation to give back in some way. It is always about receiving and giving – the generous and courageous gift of my birthmother and the loving reception of my parents into their home and hearts. I imagine that my beginnings were in some sense problematic. But that has become the fact that has shaped a truly gifted life. In light of my adoption, it is easy to realize that everything I have and am, is begun as pure gift. I am owed nothing. And I have a responsibility to carry on as heir in honoring that which has been passed on to me.

2 The Cradle Newsletter MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends, THE YEAR in Review

Cradle “babies,” “alumni” or In the Winter issue of The Cradle Newsletter, we like to “adoptees” – however you take a look back on our previous fiscal year (FY11 ended choose to refer to them – are on 9/30) and share with our readers some of the year’s a wonderfully diverse, talented highlights and challenges. While we continued to see a and generous group of individu- decline in domestic and international placements, as well als. They sit on our boards and as fewer Nursery admissions, The Cradle experienced a 9% help plan Cradle events. They increase in birthparent inquiries over 2010 – due largely to new, well-received television ads targeted to expectant speak about adoption in Cradle women that just started airing in August. classes and in high school classrooms. They support The Cradle with their time and their financial resources. They Countries such as China, Russia and Guatemala that for are some of our best advocates and ambassadors. many years had robust international adoption activity have erected barriers to adoption or shut down their programs In our cover story a Cradle adoptee, born in the 1940s, entirely. The slowdown in domestic activity cannot be as shares his love of flying with a Cradle baby born in 2005. easily explained. Factors that may be contributing to this Directly following that story you can read the reflections decline include the lingering weak economy, along with the of a 1952 Cradle alumnus who considers his adoption to proliferation of online adoption brokers who use unscrupu- be the “cornerstone” of his life. A Cradle mom featured on lous practices to entice pregnant women and hopeful adop- pg. 8 won her office’s charity bake-off using her 18-year- tive parents. The Cradle is working intently to combat these practices and ensure that every organization offering adop- old Cradle baby’s recipe. tion services in Illinois is a licensed not-for-profit. We are thrilled to welcome into our family the ninety-two Following are some key statistics from fiscal 2011: babies who make up The Cradle Class of 2011. You will find other statistics and highlights from our recently con- o 829 expectant women contacted The Cradle for cluded 2011 fiscal year in the “Year in Review” article on information or to make an appointment with a Cradle this page. Birthparent Counselor o The Cradle Nursery provided a loving, temporary Some other news of note: As of November 15, adult adop- home for 72 babies – 35 girls and 37 boys tees born in Illinois on or after January 1, 1946 can request a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate, thanks o 72 babies were placed through The Cradle’s to a new law enacted last year. I am also pleased to report domestic adoption that The Cradle has been granted a child welfare license in programs; our inter- Indiana, enabling us to broaden our service area and reach national home study more vulnerable women in need of help. Details are on program helped an page 10. additional 20 children born in eight foreign During this hectic but wonderful season, I wish you the countries come home happiest of holidays and much joy in the year ahead. with loving families in Baby Luca went home from the U.S. The Cradle on Sept. 27 with his Best regards, happy parents, Marco Bechelli o Cradle counselors and Michelle Doll. completed 105 home studies for prospective adoptive families o More than 1,200 individuals received assistance through The Cradle’s Post Adoption Services depart- ment (read more about PAS on pg. 11) o AdoptionLearningPartners.org launched five new courses, hosted five well-attended webinars and Julie S. Tye logged 33,466 total enrollments

We have begun fiscal 2012 with careful planning and realistic goals. Regardless of the final figures, our number one priority remains the children, women and families The Cradle serves. The 2011 Cradle Ball

he nearly 270 guests who attended the 17th annual a flurry of contributions at the $50 level – including the first Cradle Ball on Saturday, September 24 at The Ritz- one from Zoraida! Carlton Chicago dined on tenderloin and halibut, T Other highlights of the evening included an extensive silent danced between courses, and helped generate over $140,000 auction with electronic bidding via keypads; a live auction for for The Cradle. Aon Corporation and Northern Trust were the luxury trips to Palm Desert, California, Big Sky Montana and Ball’s lead sponsors. Punta Mita, Mexico; and a raffle to win a two-year prepaid lease on a 2011 Mini Cooper. “It was a fantastic evening,” said Ball co-chairs Erin Dickes and John Luce, who also serve on The Cradle Board of Directors. The 2011 Silver Cradle Awards were also presented during the “There was tremendous energy throughout the room – Ball. Launched in 2003, The Silver Cradle program recognizes whether guests were bidding on auction items or dancing to Chicago area companies that support their employees by pro- the outstanding music of GreenLight. Zoraida Sambolin did an viding adoption related benefits and resources. Representatives amazing job as celebrity emcee, and our sponsors and guests from recipient companies who attended the Ball received a were so generous.” personally engraved sterling silver baby cup, generously donat- ed by Tiffany & Co. Co-anchor of Chicago’s early morning NBC 5 News Today since 2008, Zoraida recently moved to CNN in New York. In 2009 The Cradle’s premier annual gala, the Ball has raised more we were fortunate to have her as emcee for a fundraiser for than $3.6 million since 1995 in support of The Cradle’s The Cradle’s Sayers Center for African American Adoption. exemplary programs and services for pregnant women, Zoraida’s guest at the Ball was Kenny Williams, general man- infants and families. ager of the Chicago White Sox. Also in attendance were her former colleague and legendary Chicago newsman Art Norman – who spent nearly 30 years at NBC 5 before retiring in 2009 – as well as her current intern, Michael Esparza. Our thanks to The Cradle Ball Committee for a job well done!

Celebrity emcee Zoraida Cradle President Julie Tye Sambolin with Kenny Williams with Zoraida’s intern, Michael Esparza

During the evening’s revenue auction, Zoraida came up with an inspired idea. Guests were invited to pledge their support Front row, from left: Corinne McClintic, Amy Geer, Erin Dickes toward specific Cradle needs, such as supplies for the Nursery (Co-Chair), Trish Henry, Libby Brombach and Jenny Maroney or maintenance of our toll-free phone line for expectant women. Whereas the bidding started at a level that was out Back row: Charlie Boesel, John Luce (Co-Chair) and Rick of reach for some of the younger guests, Zoraida asked – in Boynton Michael’s honor – “What will $50 purchase?” That prompted Not pictured: Toni DiDonato and Michael Walsh

4 The Cradle Newsletter 2 0 1 1 c r a d l e b a l l s p o n s o r s

Our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous support not only ensures the success of The Cradle Ball, but helps to preserve Cradle programs and services for future generations of children and families.

champion ($10,000 level)

advocate ($5,000 level)

The Connelly Family Erin and

Eric Dobyne and Aubrey Sheldon with Cradle parents Foundation Scott Dickes ® Mike and Jeannie Weaver

table sponsors ($3,250 level)

Doug and John Luce Becky and Bob Nowlin Larry Rubly Jenny and Scott Maroney Mary and John Meany Ginny and Paul Uhlenhop Tracy and Nick Kalm Jeannie and Mike Weaver

nursery angel ($1,500 level)

Kathy and Jerry Garrett Family Barbara and Biederman Foundation Peter Sereda AMERICA, INC.

friend of the cradle ($1,000 level)

Dean Balice Claudia Saran Melissa and David Buckley Deloris and Norbert St. John Corrine Reichert Winnetka Auxiliary of The Cradle

Cradle parent Mary Meany, left, with friends Jack Nesser, Lois Weber and Barbara Gaynor

Longtime WMAQ-Ch. 5 newsman Art Norman Representatives from twelve of the companies brought Terri Diggs to the Ball that received a 2011 Silver Cradle Award 2011 AUCTION, RAFFLE & SPECIAL PRIZE DONORS

THANK YOU to all of the generous businesses and individuals who donated gifts and services to Cradle Foundation events in 2011.

Adler Planetarium Chicago Bulls Edward Fox Photography Alasha Landscaping Chicago Children’s Museum ELAN Beauty Salon Alex’s Washington Gardens Chicago Cubs Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa – Aligned Modern Health Chicago Private Car Service Deerfield Alioto’s Gift Shop Chicago Shakespeare Theater Fado Irish Pub Juliet Amante Fantasy Kingdom American Girl Feldco American Taxi Dispatch Service The Field Museum Arlington Park Fine Art Concepts Art & Community Alliance Five Delta Fox Art + Science Four Seasons Hotel Denver Lenore and Frank Arvia Friend of The Cradle Assemble for Women Bobbi Ann and Barry Fulk The Balla Family Gabriel’s Barrington Town Nails June and Frank Garcia Bent Fork Chicago Symphony Orchestra Afton Gauron and Brian Audette Bernardi Securities, Inc. Chicago White Sox Geffen Playhouse Best Buy – Elgin Chopin Theatre George Ritzlin Antique Maps & Prints Big Ten Network Claim Company Susan Giffei and Scott Wiscomb Bill Stasek Chevrolet Club Lucky Glessner House Museum Bishops Hall Bed and Breakfast Steve Cole Goodman Theatre The Blackstone Group Colette Ltd. Hairsay Bluegrass Restaurant Competitor Group Clyde Harris Penelope Boardman The Connelly Family Marc Heidkamp Bob Chinn’s Crab House Restaurant Court Theatre Hester Painting & Decorating Charlie Boesel The Cradle Associates Peter Hickey Shane Brennan The Cradle Ball Committee Kim Holland Brickology The Cradle Classic Committee Home Depot – South Elgin Jennifer and Howard Brinn Kelly Cusack Hot Shot Ice Arena Bistrot Margot D&J Bistro Nancy Iida Broadway in Chicago Denis Daly Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Libby Brombach Dana Hotel and Spa Inovasi Brookfield Zoo/Chicago DaVinci Group iO Theater Zoological Society Day at the Races Committee J. Alexander’s Restaurant Brunswick Bowling Deerfield’s Bakery James Martin Associates, Inc. Build-A-Bear Del Rio Jason’s Deli The Canvasback Deloitte Jewel-Osco Carnivale The Denim Lounge/Madison and Julie Kaplan Photography Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Friends Jupiter Motor Sports Catering by Michael’s Dennis Bartolomei Salon Tracy and Nick Kalm Chalet Nursery & Garden Shops DePaul University Merle Reskin Theatre Kamehachi Restaurant Chant Restaurant Toni DiDonato Kane County Cougars Chicago Architecture Foundation Judy and Dan Dorr Kehoe Designs Chicago Botanic Garden East Bank Club The Kellen Family

6 The Cradle Newsletter Kidsnips – Deerfield North Shore Racquet Club John G. Shedd Aquarium Kidsnips – Wilmette North Shore Yoga Someone’s in the Kitchen Martha King Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Spare Time Inc. Kohl Children’s Museum Nuns4Fun Entertainment, Inc. Katherine Speiss Anastasia Kousakis Oceanique The Spice House John Kousakis Old Town School of Folk Music Sports Authority - Geneva Peter Kousakis Jennifer and Danny O’Shaughnessy Spring Lake Marina Telly Kousakis P.F. Chang’s China Bistro St. Mary’s Quilters of Evanston Krugel Cobbles, Inc. The Palmer House Hilton Linda and Bill Stasek Lake County Fielders Parlour Steppenwolf Theatre Lake Forest Symphony Kirsten Passalino Strategic Hotels & Resorts Lambrecht’s Jewelers, Inc. Perfect Setting Stuart-Rodgers Photography Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. Perkins Coie LLP Sugar Fix Dr. Adam Levin Sue and Jim Petersen Sutton Studios lia sophia Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants Bede Swisher Lifeline Theatre PI8 SYMS Corp Lincoln Park Zoo Pick-Staiger Concert Hall Table Compliments Lincolnshire Marriott Resort Piper & Penelope Teddie Kossof Salon Caroline and Paul Lipinksi The Popcorn Factory Dr. and Mrs. Michael Terry Lookingglass Theatre Portraits by Thomas TH Designs Lou Malnati’s Prairie Fire Three Bags Full Doug and John Luce Red Door Salon Three Tarts Bakery and Café LuLu’s Dim Sum & Then Sum ReDefined Tiffany and Co. Lynfred Winery The Ritz-Carlton Chicago TimeLine Theatre Company Larry Macy Rockit Ranch Productions Trueman Catering Mahoney Plumbing Rosborough Partners, Inc. Wenhwa Ts’ao David Mancini Rosebud Restaurants Julie Tye Maplewood Hotel Larry Rubly Ginny and Paul Uhlenhop Marianne Strokirk Salons Kristin Ryan ULTA Mark Brown Photography Salon Shea Urban Oasis McGaw YMCA Gale Sayers Brooke Voss John McNabola Walmart - Elgin Mary and John Meany Michael Walsh Eric Mersmann Wendella Boats Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Windy City Fieldhouse Mia Sorella Windy City Flyers Jeanette Mines Woodbine Golf Course Morton’s Steakhouse Woodhaven Country Club Muller Honda Writers’ Theatre Music Institute of Chicago WTMX Radio Music of the Baroque Zanies Comedy Club NaHa Seacord House Bed & Breakfast Daniel Zazove National Mustard Museum The Second City Zero Balancing Wellness Center North Shore Country Club Secure Air FOUNDATION BRIEFS BAKING FOR THE CRADLE Cradle mom and Liberty Mutual employee Kathi Villano (second from left) suspected she might have a winning recipe. “Danny’s Key Lime Pie” earned her son an A+ in his high school cooking class. When Kathi entered the pie in her office’s Give with Liberty Bake-Off on October 11, she captured the grand prize of $150 toward the charity of her choice: The Cradle. Victory was especially sweet for Kathi, since October 11 was also Danny’s 18th birthday. Daniel Villano came home from The Cradle in October 1993, at two weeks of age, and is now a senior in high school. According to his mom, Danny aspires to be a chef and will be attending the College of DuPage Culinary Arts program next year.

AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL Many of the children at The Cradle’s seventh annual Autumn Moon Festival, held on October 22 at Furama Restaurant in Chicago, were colorfully clad in traditional dress from the country of their birth. They tossed beanbags, danced with scarves, made puppets and stacked towers of plastic cups higher than their heads (and then gleefully knocked them down). After lunch, students from K.H. Kim’s Taekwondo Studio in Northbrook demonstrated how to break boards with high kicks and skilled moves. The Truc Lam Lion Team was back with their sparkling lion costume and boundless energy to thrill children and adults alike. Around 160 guests attended this year’s celebration of the harvest moon, beautifully organized by event committee members Wenhwa Ts’ao and Bede Swisher, who also generously donated the craft supplies and raffle prizes. THE CRADLE ASSOCIATES CELEBRATE ADOPTION In honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, The Cradle Associates professional board hosted their second annual Celebrate Adoption fundrais- ing event at Prairie Fire restaurant in Chicago on November 8. Members of the Associates guest bartended, serving up a festive “Cradle-tini” and earning more than $500 in tips in just over an hour! Cradle Associate and Cradle “alumna” Sheryl Phillips shared her story about being adopted and reuniting with her birthmother decades later, while a crowd of 50 guests enjoyed a lovely four-course tasting meal of innovative American comfort food. The event raised nearly $3,000 for The Cradle. From left: Sheryl Phillips, special guest the Hon. Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Jeff Marcella, Gail Patrick, Joel Jaglin, Jeannie Weaver, Katelyn Danielski, Keith Tyschper, Crystal Bowyer, Kelly Langan, Elena Kirshenbaum and Afton Gauron

2012 SIRAGUSA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE 12/23! Applications for our 2012 Siragusa Scholarship program were mailed in October and will be due at The Cradle on Friday, December 23. Any Cradle family with a child up to and including 18 year of age, who has a special need, is eligible to apply. Scholarships are typically awarded in March and are used for a wide range of needs, such as therapy, medication, assessments, educational aids or respite care. For more information, visit www.cradlefoundation.org/siragusa or call Heidi Bloom at 847.733.3240.

8 The Cradle Newsletter DONOR PROFILE: Fred B. Snite Foundation Every year since 1999, the Northfield, Illinois-based Fred B. Snite Foundation has awarded The Cradle a generous grant in support of our Nursery and Special Needs Infant Care Program. This funding has helped the Nursery provide exceptional care and give the best possible start in life to hundreds of vulnerable babies over the past dozen years.

The foundation is the legacy of Frederick Bernard Snite, Jr., a Chicagoan who graduated from Notre Dame in 1933 and planned to join his father’s financial services company. On a family trip to China in 1936, however, the young man contracted an acute case of polio and had to spend much of the remainder of his life in an iron lung. An indomitable spirit, Fred traveled throughout the country in a special trailer, rooted for his beloved Fighting Irish from the sidelines, got married and had three daughters. In 1945, the foundation that bears his name was established. Fred Snite died in 1954 at age 44. We celebrate his admirable cour- age and applaud the Snite Foundation for helping to sustain organizations and causes that were important to Fred.

“It is an honor to partner with you,” wrote foundation President Margaret Dillon Sackley. “The loving environment of The Cradle surrounds and keeps safe the infant hearts of the babies so deserving of a devoted family.” We at The Cradle are honored to have such a gen- erous and devoted partner as the Fred B. Snite Foundation.

In the photo, Dr. Madeleine Shalowitz, a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who works with The Cradle, examines a baby in the Nursery. Grant funding from the Fred B. Snite Foundation supports our Nursery and Special Needs program.

IRA GIVING OPPORTUNITY EXTENDED THROUGH 12/31/11 A tax bill provision known as the “Charitable IRA Rollover” will be in effect through December 31, 2011. It allows taxpayers age 70½ or older to make tax-free transfers up to $100,000 per year directly from their IRA to charities. (This bill was origi- nally enacted in 2006, expired at the end of 2009, but now has been renewed an additional two years, through 12/31/11.) Making your year-end gift to The Cradle Foundation from your IRA rather than other assets may be especially appropriate if any of these statements are true for you: • You use the standard deduction rather than itemizing your deductions; • Your IRA minimum distribution exceeds your current cash needs; • Your estate plan includes an IRA bequest to The Cradle; • Your 2011 charitable contributions exceed deduction limitations. This gift must be made directly from your IRA to The Cradle Foundation by your IRA manager acting under your direction by 12/31/11. A helpful article addressing questions you may have is posted on our website at www.cradlefoundation.org/ ira2011. Or, feel free to contact Cradle Foundation President Brooke Voss at 847.733.3204 or [email protected] for more information about this time-sensitive opportunity.

THE SEASON OF GIVING We are very grateful to all of the individuals, families, friends and organizations that have supported The Cradle over the past year. Donations are essential to sustaining The Cradle’s ethical, high quality programs and services for birthparents, infants, adoptive families and adopted persons. As 2011 comes to a close, please consider making a year-end gift to The Cradle Foundation. You can be assured that your gift will be put to excellent use, helping The Cradle to create many new families in the year ahead, to provide compassionate support for pregnant women, and to care for beautiful babies like Elijah, left, who spent three weeks in our Nursery this year before going home with his family. From all of us at The Cradle, we wish you a season of joy, and health and happiness in the New Year.

For information about making a year-end, tax-deductible donation, please contact Maureen Kelly at 847.733.3230 or visit us online at www.cradlefoundation.org/donate. WEBINARS on PARENTING WORKSHOPS AdoptionLearningPartners.org at The Cradle Adoption Learning Partners, The Cradle’s web-based educational resource, offers STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME live webinars several times Sensory/Regulatory Difficulties in Children a year. Focused on timely Saturday, January 14, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. issues with some of the high- est regarded subject matter This workshop, led by Clinical Pediatric Psychologist Dan experts in the field, these Griffith, Ph.D., will provide information regarding the identifi- webinars not only present cation of sensory/regulatory difficulties in children; the impact these difficulties may have on the parent/child relationship; and important information and practical tips, but allow you time to appropriate parenting/intervention strategies for addressing pose questions to the experts. these difficulties. If you missed any of our live events, we offer them in recorded 2 hours of DCFS Foster Care Training/Hague Aligned version on our site! Some of our most popular webinars include: ADOPTION & IDENTITY: Is That My Birthmom on Facebook? provides helpful advice for Helping Our Kids Feel Whole parents whose tween or teen may be searching for birth rela- Saturday, February 18, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. tives on social media channels. Learn how to gauge if your child is ready to connect, talk to them about searching, and identify Adopted children have some extra threads to weave into their online-related safety risks. personal narrative. Having a realistic understanding of how adoption shapes or does not shape their identity helps them Is It an Adoption Thing? Expert advice on child development and do better when faced with future challenges. This program adoption discusses the difficult task parents face when sorting will assist parents in helping their children create an ease with out whether behaviors and challenges are adoption-related or their adoption story – both the wonderful and painful parts. not. Attachment specialist Dr. Greg Keck reviews common chal- Guest speaker Judy Stigger, LCSW, is an Adoption Therapist and lenging behaviors at each developmental stage and offers real Director of Professional Relations for Adoption Learning Partners. life examples and suggestions. 2 hours of DCFS Foster Care Training

Are You Sleeping? Expert advice for adoptive families struggling LEGAL ISSUES in Same Gender Adoption to get a good night’s sleep explores why adopted children (and Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. their parents!) often sleep so poorly. Dr. Julian Davies, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington Rosemary Mulryan, an experienced adoption attorney who has in Seattle and co-director of the Center for Adoption Medicine, worked with many same-gender families, will share her insights helps parents formulate short and long term sleep strategies and on such topics as Civil Unions law, legal implications of last trouble shoot specific sleep problems. names, health insurance, travel, guardianship and estate plan- ning. Adoptive families will also share their practical experience. Look for upcoming webinars on subjects including Fetal Alcohol 2 hours of DCFS Foster Care Training Syndrome, the effects of malnutrition, and special needs in adopted children. Workshops are open to the community. Fees: $20 per person per workshop, $10 for second family member; non-refundable. Pre- registration and pre-payment are required. Register online at www. www.AdoptionLearningPartners.org/search.cfm cradle.org/parenting-workshops-0 or by calling 847.733.3208.

NEWSWORTHY The Cradle has opened an office in Merrillville, a town in northwest Indiana roughly eight miles south of Gary, to provide Birthparent Services in our neighboring state. After finding our facility, policies and procedures to be in compliance, the Indiana Department of Child Services approved The Cradle’s application for a child welfare license in November. Leisl Einerson, LCSW, our caseworker for Indiana, will be based out of the new office, calling on referral sources and providing direct client service.

An adult adopted person born in Illinois on or after January 1, 1946 can now request a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate (OBC) through the Illinois Department of Public Health (adoptees born prior to 1/1/46 could already access their OBC). Birthparents of adopted persons born after this date may request that their names be deleted from the non- certified copy, and any birthparent may indicate their preference regarding contact with their adult birth child. For more information, call Nina Friedman in Post Adoption Services at 847.733.2295 or visit www.newillinoisadoptionlaw.com.

10 The Cradle Newsletter A FOND FAREWELL to Jane Page “Helping people to be prepared for adoption and become a family is a pretty profound experience, and very gratifying,” said Jane Page, Clinical Director of Adoption Services and our longest serving staff member. Last July 17th Jane celebrated her 32nd anniversary at The Cradle; January 3rd will be her last day. Over the years she has worked with hundreds of Cradle families, witnessed major changes within the organization, and touched the lives of countless clients and staff members.

When Jane was hired in 1979, her job consisted of doing home studies 22 hours a week. Eventually she became a clinical director, supervising several members of the Adoptive Parent team while also continuing to work with families. Over the years, Jane has watched as The Cradle moved from a traditional closed domestic adoption agency to one that embraces open adoption. She added preparing international home studies to her skill set, and was a force in shaping The Cradle’s cur- riculum for pre-adoptive families.

Jane’s fellow clinical director, Phyllis Laughlin, offers the following observations about her longtime colleague and friend:

Jane Page was already a Cradle legend when I arrived 11 years ago. We didn’t really work together until 2003 but I wasn’t far down the hall from her big corner office. When the domestic and international teams merged that year, Jane and I helped one another learn the ropes. We joined forces in the redesign of Adoption 101. A few years later when I became a clinical director, Jane was the first person I went to see. She graciously welcomed me as a peer, but I would still go to her for supervision from time to time. When an office near hers was vacated she invited me (quite persistently) to move closer so we could talk more easily. I’m sure the others in our wing can vouch for the amount of conversation that goes on through open doors.

Speaking of graciousness, when her big corner office was converted to an office for two counselors last year, Jane couldn’t stop talking about how she loved the coziness of her new space. It’s hard to imagine that soon she won’t be occupying an office here at all. Jane is a walking repository of the evolution of open adoption at The Cradle. Her memory of people’s names, and her ability to recognize people after years have passed, is legendary. Her compassion, patience, and occasional garrulousness are renowned. Jane always reminds us that grief and loss are at the center of the adoption circle. The adoption counseling staff are about to experience our own grief and loss as Jane moves on after a stellar career. “When adoption grabs your heart, it doesn’t let go.” – Jane Page

PROVIDING Lifelong Support

In addition to the key components of “education” and “guidance” in The Cradle’s mission statement, there is “lifelong support.” What does that mean, and how does The Cradle provide it?

At The Cradle we are committed to the belief that our relationship with a client – whether that client is a birthparent, a baby in the Nursery or an adoptive parent – does not end with a placement. We do not send off new families with a “goodbye and good luck,” or close the door on a birthmother after she has signed a surrender.

Research has shown that adoption affects people in many ways throughout their lives. When issues arise, where can you turn? Through The Cradle’s Post Adoption Services department, we offer continuing guidance and support to any member of the adop- tion circle.

Nina Friedman, LCSW, is Post Adoption Supervisor at The Cradle. She compiles background histories, conducts and facilitates search and reunion services, helps adoptive and birth families mediate open adoption issues that arise, and provides counseling.

Our experienced Adoption Therapists, Judy Stigger, LCSW, and Dori Fujii, MSW, LCSW, work with adopted persons (including children and teens), adoptive families and birthparents. The types of issues they address include:

• Helping children understand their adoption stories • Helping to navigate issues that arise in transracial adoptive families and in open adoptions • Helping adoptive parents and their kids communicate more effectively • Helping adopted children deal with issues of adjustment, attachment and loss • Helping birthparents work through grief and loss

For more information, or to make an appointment, go to www.cradle.org/post-adoption-services or call 847.475.5800. NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE 2049 Ridge Avenue | Evanston, IL 60201 847.475.5800 | www.cradle.org PAID PALATINE P&DC, IL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Julianne S. Tye, President/CEO PERMIT NO. 240

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anna Marie Hajek, Chair Caryn Rowe Africk, Vice Chair Margarita E. Kellen, Vice Chair Peter C. Hickey, Treasurer Janet S. McDonald, Secretary

John K. Barth David G. Brittsan Richard C. Burnstine, M.D. Stephen S. Cole Erin S. Dickes John F. Dix, Jr. Therese K. Fauerbach Rose Fealy Andrea I. Herchenbach Sharlene P.B. Hobson Nicholas B. Kalm John Salvatore Luce, Psy.D Lawrence G. Macy Kevin J. Rochford Lawrence H. Rubly Ardythe E. and Gale E. Sayers Barbara S. Sereda Kimberly A. Simonton William R. Stasek Virginia L. Uhlenhop

HONORARY DIRECTORS Margaret M. Adams Harold S. Bott, Jr. John L. Fairfield Stanley M. Freehling Rose Ann and Addison C. Hoof Charles F. Hovey, Jr. Nancy M. Hovey Margaret K. and David E. Mason Mary T. and Michael E. Phenner William C. Rands III Corrine V. Reichert Cynthia M. Sargent Jacqueline L. Schoellhorn Mary H. and Bernard F. Sergesketter Paul B. Uhlenhop

THE CRADLE FOUNDATION BOARD James G. Connelly III, Chair Phyllis S. Thomas, Secretary/Treasurer Melville H. Ireland, Jr.

CRADLE Calendar WINTER 2012

01/14 OVERCOMING SENSORY/REGULATORY 02/18 ADOPTION AND IDENTITY DIFFICULTIES Parenting Workshop* Parenting Workshop* The Cradle, Evanston The Cradle, Evanston 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 03/03 LEGAL ISSUES IN SAME 02/09 FIRST LOOK FOR CHARITY GENDER ADOPTION McCormick Place, Chicago Parenting Workshop* 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Cradle, Evanston 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

*Open to the community. Fee: $20 per person per workshop, $10 for second family member; non-refundable. Learn more and register online at www.cradle.org/parenting-workshops-0 or by calling 847.733.3208. Happy Holidays!

12 The Cradle Newsletter