“Twentieth Anniversary Highlights”

• OCOC of MD's 20 Year Anniversary & Eighth Annual Adoption Conference was a grand success.
  
  
• TOGETHER WE CAN
  
  The conference was open to everyone interested in learning more about permanency options for children. It was a stimulating forum with persons sharing their knowledge and experience.
  
  Featuring: Rev. Dr. Wilbert T. Talley, Barbara Tremitiere, Rev Dr. Carolyn N. Graham, Tanya Williams-Bell were among the featured speakers. The award luncheons speaker, Shane Salter was superb. We are thankful for our partners, Diakon Lutheran Adoptions Services.
  
  On November 6, 2008, the Gala Celebration w/ Special Guest Vanessa Bell Armstrong was an amazing tribute to the work and mission of OCOCMD.
  
  
• CUTS AND CURLS
  
  One Church One Child of Maryland Inc, the states leading non-profit organization created to recruit adoptive and foster care parents for homeless children partnered with hair salons and barber shops in the state for a day of CUTS and CURLS.
  
  Salons and barbershops donated 2 haircuts or 2 regular hairstyles at a minimum. The all-important fresh hairstyle warm the hearts of children that without their help, may have suffer the ills of being looked upon as homeless. Their gift assisted in making the first day of school a great day for hundreds of children in the State of Maryland.
  
  
• MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH!!!
  
  National Foster Care Month takes place in May. It provides an opportunity for people nationwide to get involved as foster parents, volunteers, mentors, employers, or in other ways. It was also an opportunity to show our appreciation for the dedication of the foster families who care for these children and youth, and the social workers who support them.
  
  One Church One Child of Maryland, Inc salutes all of the Maryland Foster Care parents. In May 2008 OCOCMD saluted the Prince Georges/Montgomery County Foster Parents at Reid Temple AME Church in Glen Dale Maryland, which was held on Friday. May 2008. In June 2008 OCOCMD saluted the Baltimore County Foster Parents in a Dinner celebration at Rising Sun First Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 7:00 PM. In July and August, OCOCMD d the Foster Parents of Frederick/Washington Counties and Worcester/Wicomico/Somerset Counties.
  
  
• ADOPTION MATCHING EVENT
  
  One Church One Child held its first Adoption Matching Event on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 from 9-am to 11:30-am @ Dave & Buster's Arcade located inside the Arundel Mills Mall. This Adoption Matching Event was designed with food, fun and above all, it was an opportunity for potential adoptive parents to meet and connect with children in need of a place to call "home." After all, a "PLACE" does "MATTER!"
  
  Over 25 children were in attendance and over 70 parents came out to find a child. Some matches were made.