Dear ,
June 20th is SoulFilling's first birthday! What a journey this past year has been. An idea that started from a casual conversation with a dear friend has blossomed into a fulfilling second career that marries my passion for coaching, writing, and learning with my desire to broaden the adoption narrative in a positive way.
Here are just a few of the highlights from this past year: ~ Launched an online boutique with adoption-related gifts, apparel, and jewelry (including our signature Beacon pendant!). ~ Published my first children's book titled Brianna's Brave Day at School as well as my Mom's inspiring life story. ~ Led and participated in numerous local events, directing donations raised to Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), specifically its School-Based Mental Health Professional Training Program as a way to better support our schools as it relates to families of adoption. Thank you to Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) for raising $2,000 to support SoulFilling's mission! I look forward to continuing conversations with C.A.S.E. to learn more about how they support the adoption community and how I can help further their work. ...And we are just getting started! 💪 I want to thank YOU for being part of this SoulFilling community and for supporting our mission to make the adoption conversation more casual, mainstream, and light-filled. ✨ Inspired to Shine ✨ Francine |
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Here are a few specific ways to get more involved: ~ Share Your Adoption Story: I am looking to feature 33 stories of joy, hope, and resilience in my new book which will focus on what is going right in your story. (Look for the silver lining.) ~ Enroll in my Adoption Course at SUNY Schenectady County College this November, during National Adoption Month. SCCC has asked me to teach, from my lived experience, an enriching online course, called Adoption is a Matter of the Heart. It is designed to broaden perspectives and bring the conversation of adoption into the hearts of our communities, homes and schools. Much appreciated if you can share this offering with teachers, therapists, school counselors, and those in the adoption community or considering adoption. ~ Sign Up for my Adoptive Parent Coaching services and let me help guide you through the process from a perspective of Positive Psychology and my own lived experience. I'm happy to talk to or coach anyone on the topic of adoption, however my focus is on working with Adoptive Moms on practical, hands-on strategies when raising their families through the lens of adoption. ~ Shop with purpose at SoulFilling's Bright Light Boutique and spark the adoption conversation through products that feature the adoption symbol! ~ Schedule me for a book signing of Brianna's Brave Day at School at your library, classroom, or book store! ~ Share this newsletter with a friend, family member, or colleague you know who has been touched by adoption, is considering adoption, or who is currently on the adoption journey. |
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🎉 Giveaway Time 🥳 In honor of SoulFilling's first birthday, I'm asking for your help in growing our community and expanding our impact within the adoption community and beyond. Participate in SoulFilling's Summer Challenge and be entered to win a variety of adoption-themed prizes! 🎁
The rules are simple! You get points for your activities. Each point equates to an entry into our raffle. You get:
1️⃣ Point for following SoulFilling on Instagram
2️⃣ Points for commenting on or sharing our posts
3️⃣ Points for sharing our Newsletter on social media and tagging us
4️⃣ Points for referring someone to SoulFilling (just make sure to let me know you did)
5️⃣ Points for completing any of the 5 activities listed in the section above (sharing your story, enrolling in my course, scheduling a 15-minute coaching consultation, shopping our boutique, or requesting a book signing) The more you participate, the higher your chances of winning! 🚀
Winners will be announced each Friday throughout the Summer!
Good luck, SoulFillers! 🌟
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Where My Feet are Taking Me this Summer |
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| | My publishing journey will be featured in
Le Moyne College's Summer 2024 Alumni Magazine.
I will be sure to share the link once this becomes available. | | |
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Book Me for a Reading I cherished the opportunity to read Brianna's Brave Day at School at Milton Terrace Elementary School in June! The class was absolutely adorable and asked such great questions. One little girl shared that she, too, was adopted! So many great ideas for future Brianna stories to tell. Thank you! |
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| | I am connecting with C.A.S.E. in early June to discuss more ways we can partner to support the work they are doing in the adoption community. Currently, any donations we raise through SoulFilling are directed towards its School-Based Mental Health Professional Training Program as a way to better support our schools as it relates to families of adoption. | | |
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| | I will be meeting with Valorie Burton, a life coach, author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, to discuss all things adoption. She is the founder of the Coaching and Positive Pyschology Institute (CAPP). | | |
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| | I'm excited to be interviewed by the CEO and Founder of Inspired Living, Keri Murphy, who is committed to empowering people all over the world to "Dream it. Live it. BE it!" | | |
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| | I will be featured on the The Adoption Roadmap Podcast with Rebecca Gruenspan, Founder of RG Adoption Consulting. I look forward to sharing the conversation once the episode drops. | | |
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I was thrilled to be asked to join the CAPP Institute's recent webinar on Conversations with a Coach, as a panelist. We discussed how coaching can be applied to so many different fields and industries. I spoke specifically about how an Adoptive Parent Coach, such as myself, can make a difference in the adoption community. |
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My mission in creating SoulFilling was to help make the adoption conversation more mainstream and casual, at home and at school. Which is why I wrote Brianna's Brave Day at School. I couldn't be more thrilled that the story is resonating with people. You can order a copy for your home or classroom bookshelf on Amazon and schedule me to come in for a book signing at your school, library or book store! Here are some of the reviews that have come in and filled my soul to the brim! |
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Family-Friendly Summer Fun Activities Looking for some fun activities to do with young, teen or even adult children? Try a few of these to see how conversations flow more freely when you are enjoying an activity together!
Here are some great tips for adoptive families to enjoy summer activities together:
1. Plan Family Outings: Organize trips to local parks, beaches, or nature reserves. Spending time outdoors can be a wonderful way to bond, explore, and create lasting memories.
2. Create a Summer Bucket List: Sit down as a family and create a list of activities everyone wants to do over the summer. This could include things like visiting a zoo, having a picnic, or trying out a new sport, places they want to travel to.
3. Host Family Game Nights: Dedicate one evening a week to family game night. Board games, card games, and outdoor games like frisbee or soccer can be fun for all ages.
4. Explore Adoption-Themed Books (like Brianna’s Brave Day at School!) and Movies: Spend some time reading books or watching movies that feature adoption themes. This can be a great way to open up conversations and help children see adoption in a positive light.
5. Volunteer Together: Find local volunteer opportunities that the whole family can participate in. This can be a rewarding way to spend time together and teach children about giving back to the community.
6. Craft and DIY Projects: Set aside time for creative projects like painting, making jewelry, or building something together. These activities can be both fun and therapeutic.
7. Cook Together: Involve your children in cooking meals or baking treats. Choose recipes that are simple and fun to make together. This can also be an opportunity to share family traditions and stories.
8. Explore Cultural Heritage: If your child has a different cultural background, summer can be a great time to explore that heritage through festivals, cuisine, and cultural events.
9. Stay Active: Encourage physical activity with family bike rides, hikes, swimming, or playing sports together. This not only promotes health but also provides opportunities for bonding.
10. Visit Museums and Educational Centers: Many museums and educational centers have special summer programs or exhibits. These can be both fun and educational for the whole family.
11. Gardening: Start a small garden or plant some flowers together. Gardening can teach responsibility and patience, and it’s a great way to spend time outdoors.
12. Plan a Family Campout: Whether in your backyard or at a campsite, a family campout can be an exciting adventure. Include activities like storytelling, stargazing, and making s'mores.
13. Keep a Summer Journal: (My favorite✨) Encourage your children to keep a journal of their summer activities. They can draw pictures, write stories, and add photos. This can be a great keepsake and a way to practice writing skills.
14. Focus on Relaxation and Fun: Remember to keep things light and fun. Summer is a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of school and other obligations.
15. Have one completely unscheduled day a week to do nothing so you can be spontaneous or …just do nothing!! Good for the mind! Great for the soul!! |
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Adoption Community CornerPeople to Know |
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Bernadette O'Brien Thompson As a trained genealogist, professionally certified in understanding grief and trauma, it was my own path through grief that brought clarity to my work. It gave me a sense of peace when I understood the path came before me. The focus of my work is to help you journey towards understanding and healing. As we build your family tree you will discover stories of your ancestors and a deeper understanding of who you are. | | |
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Sherrie Eldridge Sherrie Eldridge, a best-selling Penguin Random House author, is getting ready to launch her ninth book for adoptive moms who are parenting children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. Sherrie speaks with authority because she has healed from this disorder herself. This affected her relationship with her adoptive mom and her story will be told in this upcoming book. | | |
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Rebecca Gruenspan Your dream is to become a mom. My dream is to help you get there. I am Rebecca Gruenspan, a Single mom through domestic adoption and an adoption consultant for over a decade. I’ll be your guide, along with other adoption professionals and members of the adoption constellation, walking you step-by-step down this beautiful and complex path of adopting your baby. This isn't just another podcast sharing adoption stories. If you're genuinely committed to diving in with an open heart, eager to learn everything there is to know about adopting a baby, this is for you! | | |
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Bright Light Boutique
My hope is when someone sees someone wearing my products, with the adoption symbol, it sparks their curiosity to ask what the symbol means, what is SoulFilling, and opens up the conversation of adoption in a casual, conversational kind of way.
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The Story of the Starfish
Once upon a time, a little boy was walking along a beach covered with starfish that had been washed ashore by the tide. As he walked, he saw an old man picking up starfish one by one and gently throwing them back into the ocean.
Curious, the boy asked, "Why are you doing that? There are so many starfish and the beach is so long. How can you possibly make a difference?" The old man smiled, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the sea. He then turned to the boy and said, "I made a difference to that one." This story is a modern parable often attributed to Loren Eiseley, an American anthropologist and natural science writer. The story appeared in his essay "The Star Thrower," published in 1969. While various versions of the story circulated widely, Loren Eiseley's essay is the original source of this inspirational tale. |
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Who is SoulFilling's ideal customer?
SoulFilling serves someone in the adoption community, primarily adoptive parents, but also including adoptees and birth mothers. They are looking for positive support and guidance to focus on what's going right in their adoption journey. They value open and honest conversations and seek compassionate coaching to navigate the complexities, joys, and tools needed while raising a family. They are interested in adoption-themed products and resources that help open conversations and celebrate/embrace their experiences. Additionally, we prioritize mental health awareness and personal growth within the context of adoption. If this is you or someone you know, reach out to me or share my information, and let's have a casual conversation to get to know each other. |
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Adoption FactsDid You Know?The symbol for adoption is a triangle and a heart. The triangle’s three sides stand for the birth family, the adoptive family, and the child, connected be a heart, love.
November is National Adoption Month. It’s a special time to raise awareness about adoption and celebrate families who were formed through adoption. During this month white ribbons are worn for adoption awareness. As of 2024, over 5 million people (about twice the population of Mississippi) have been adopted in the United States. (Adoption Network)
The lotus flower is the adoption flower. The adoption colors are yellow (adoptive parents), white (adoptee) and pink (birth parents).
Adoption Resources
Center for Adoption Support (C.A.S.E.) 301-476-8525
Adoptive Families
customerservice@adoptivefamilies.com
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
1-800-ASK-DTFA
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