E-Newsletter Story Archives |
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Past E-Newsletters
Cradle Connections is published throughout year. Here are some of our favorite stories from past issues:
Featured Stories
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Alumni Update: Mary Mallon Nyman
At 76, writer, artist and Cradle alumna Mary Nyman (’35) is enjoying an idyllic existence. “I live in a beautiful spot in Wareham, Massachusetts,” she said, “eighty feet above Buzzards Bay with woods behind me. It’s the perfect place for an artist.” Mary talked with us about her childhood in Tennessee, her wide-ranging education, and her visit to The Cradle at age 70 – the first time she had been back since she was adopted. Read about Mary » |
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Julie Tye Goes to Washington
Advocacy on behalf of children and ethical adoption practice is an important part of The Cradle’s mission. On November 28, Cradle President – and chief advocate – Julie Tye was invited to represent The Cradle on an adoption panel convened by the White House Office on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She did us proud! Read more » |
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The Schuelke Family Shares Their Love
Judy and Dave Schuelke, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, adopted four children through The Cradle between 1965 and 1974. After their first adoption, they made a will and named The Cradle as a beneficiary along with two other favorite charities. “We want to keep The Cradle going,” Judy says. “We want other people to understand that if Cradle families do not support The Cradle, these kinds of blessings might not be available for so many people.” Read their story » |
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MIRROR IMAGES: A Teen’s Reflections on Adoptive Siblings
The talented young author of our feature story, Sarah Vesely, 16, was placed with Robin and George Vesely through The Cradle in November of 1994. Her sister Rachel joined the family five years later. In this piece, published in her high school literary magazine, Sarah writes movingly about her relationship with Rachel – and about the deep bond that ties these very “real” sisters together. She begins:
“I was the first person in my family, outside of my parents, to hold my sister. I had only just turned five at the time, and did not quite understand the logistics of adoption…”
Read Sarah's story » |
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Three families. Six “Cradle babies.” Many reasons to celebrate!
In the past few months we have joyfully witnessed the placement of two infant boys and one infant girl with Cradle families. What’s so unusual about that? Each of these babies – Warren, Casey and Elena – went home with a parent who was also adopted through The Cradle.
Read their stories » |
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Presenting Jalissa Meredith, Miss Black Illinois USA 2011
Cradle baby Jalissa Amber Meredith was placed with her parents, Kenna and Simmie Meredith of Oswego, Illinois, two days before Christmas 1988. Twenty-two years later, this lovely, talented and ambitious young woman was crowned Miss Black Illinois USA 2011.
Read more » |
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Ask the Experts
Our first question, Do we really need to talk about adoption all the time?, will be addressed by Judy Stigger, LCSW, an adoption therapist at The Cradle with many years of experience in the field and a Cradle adoptive parent.
Read Judy's response » |
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"The Best Decision": A Birthmother’s Story
Anne was just 19 years old, a college student, when she found out she was pregnant. "I told my parents on the same date that Michael Jackson died," Anne recalls. "My mom was a huge fan, so it was just a bad day."
Read Anne's story and watch a video » |
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Cradle Babies - Class of 2009
This video features photos of just some of the families whose dreams came true in 2009, thanks to the support of generous friends like you! Please enjoy their happiness, knowing that your generosity made all of this possible.
Read more » |
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Remarkable Cradle kids July 2009 eNewsletter
Garrett, Tessa and Tristan are just a few of the Cradle children whose families received a Siragusa Scholarship this year. This fund enables The Cradle to award scholarships of up to $1,500 annually to Cradle families who have a child or children with special needs.
Read more » |
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Planning a Homeland Visit: Q&A with Judy Stigger
Judy Stigger, LCSW, is Director of International Adoption at The Cradle, and an adoptive mother herself. Judy has spent many hours interviewing and counseling adoptive families about homeland visits. Judy offers some excellent advice on the very important preparation both parents and children should do before, during and after a homeland visit. Read more » |
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In Search of Banyan Roots: Our Homeland Journey May 2009 eNewsletter
The first time Cradle mom Catherine Nelson traveled to Vietnam, it was on one of the first flights out of the US after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Seven years later, Catherine and her daughter Grace made that return trip to the country that gave Grace her identity. Read more » |
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Cradle Babies Giving Back - Winter 2008 newsletter
Seven-year-old Cristina proudly presented The Cradle with the contents of her piggybank, asking that the $28.32 be used to help her fellow "Cradle babies." "I feel proud to give to the place that was my first home. I will have special memories of The Cradle in my heart." Read more » |
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A Cradle Day To Remember - Winter 2008 newsletter
One baby was born in Korea. One was born in Guatemala. And four were born in Illinois and waiting for their forever parents in The Cradle Nursery. It was a record-breaking day for The Cradle, and a microcosm of the many different ways The Cradle works with birthparents and adoptive parents. Read more » |
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Cradle Babies - A message of thanks
View a video celebrating a few members of The Cradle’s class of 2006-2007. Watch video » |
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Judy's Story - December 2006 newsletter
On June 10, 2002 I received a letter in the mail that would change my life as I knew it. I sat in my kitchen that sunny morning and read a letter from a woman in California who wrote that she believed we were related. Read more » |
Meet some of The Cradle staff and volunteers
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Meet Phyllis Laughlin, Clinical Director of Adoption Services
During her 11½ years of service at The Cradle, Phyllis Laughlin has participated in the formation of hundreds of new families. She has also witnessed changes at The Cradle, such as a sharp decline in international adoption activity and longer waits for families in our domestic program. As supervisor of The Cradle’s adoptive parent counseling team, Phyllis discusses the joys and challenges of her job. More about Phyllis » |
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Diane Bansley, Cradle Cuddler
Longtime Evanston resident and retired elementary schoolteacher, Diane Bansley, has been cuddling Cradle babies for more than a decade. She shared with us why she admires The Cradle and how spending time in the Nursery helped her cope with the loss of two of her own children. Read more about Diane » |
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Gaby Cederlund, Interactive Engagement Manager
Gaby Cederlund came to The Cradle just over a year ago, in early September 2010. Our resident web guru and social media expert, Gaby (pronounced GAY-bee) manages online marketing for both The Cradle’s website and our educational website, Adoption Learning Partners. She also monitors The Cradle’s Facebook page, LinkedIn account and Twitter feed – employing all the 21st century tools at her disposal to ensure that we reach as wide an audience as possible. Read more about Gaby » |
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John Buccheri
Every other Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., you are likely to see a distinguished, gray-bearded gentleman holding, rocking and feeding babies in The Cradle Nursery. John Buccheri, Ph.D., Associate Professor Emeritus of Music Studies at Northwestern, decided to give cuddling a try following his retirement from the university in 2004. Read more » |
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Mary Hasson, Cradle Nurse
You can find Mary Hasson, R.N., in The Cradle Nursery from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. four days per week. At age 77, Hasson has been with us for 18 years and has dedicated her life’s work to the welfare of babies and children. Read more about Mary » |
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Tom Stilp, Cradle Cuddler
If you peek inside The Cradle Nursery on any given day, you’ll notice that it’s largely a female domain. All but one of our nurses and infant aides, as well as the vast majority of our volunteer Cuddlers are women. Lately, however, there have been more men in the Nursery spending time with Cradle babies. Evanston resident and retired neurosurgeon, Tom Stilp, has been a Cuddler since early 2007. So as not to confuse him with infant aide Thom Gauthier, Nursery staff refer to him as “Dr. Tom.” Read the interview with Tom » |
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George Mitchell Spring 2009 eNewsletter
Any Cradle baby who spent time in The Cradle Nursery during the last sixteen years has likely met George Mitchell. George is Director of Building Operations at The Cradle, and one of his responsibilities is driving to hospitals throughout Illinois to pick up infants and bring them back to The Cradle Nursery while their moms undergo counseling through our Birthparent program. George is a “jack of all trades” at The Cradle, and even has a special nickname among The Cradle nurses. Read more » |
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Victoria Brooks
The Nursery operates 24/7, so my hours don't always fit into a typical 9-5 schedule. Each morning I check on any health issues, assessment needs, hospital pick ups, routine appointments or staffing issues. I may be following up with different specialists for certain babies. I also may be speaking with prospective adoptive parents about a particular infant's needs. I work with the adoptive and birthparent counselors so they understand the baby's conditions. Read more » |
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