UOO Camp 2011 cancellation Q&A

A)       Advocate for legislation that is friendly towards different forms of hosting and camps
B)       Pray for and seek out other methods of orphan care and awareness. There are many opportunities through partners like Christian Alliance for Orphans of Northern Colorado.
C)       Support a local family that has adopted a child in any way that you can.
D)       Stay tuned as UOO seeks out effective ways to impact orphans.
E)       Come to the Community Dinner August 9th and learn more.
F)       Keep updated as to  what’s happening via our website and Facebook.  .
 

1. Why can’t we just put the kids into homes?
   Having children in your own home still triggers licensing according to the State of Colorado regulations.
2. Hosting programs exist every year, why is this different?
   Hosting programs are viewed as “illegal” in Colorado.  Without proper legislation to govern such activities, Colorado Department of Human Services has interpreted hosting to fall under foster parent guidelines, which would require a special license from CDHS and through a Child Placement Agency (CPA)
3. If we bring the Stoesz home up to commercial standards, is there still a chance of having a camp?
   No.  Although the fire code was the biggest area of concern, it was not the only obstacle that we had no solution for.  We also have documentation issues with guardianship and foreign doctor approvals that no solution was identified.
4. Was this cancellation a surprise?
   Yes, Though we knew of the difficulties in meeting the many regulations, the core issue of having to be a commercial facility was deemed not necessary by the many preliminary approvals such as the Weld County Planning, Zoning, Health & Environmental Depts, and Fire Marshall.  The State specifically stated that meeting these requirements first would pave the way for CDHS approval.  Who knows….. perhaps they were surprised that we passed all of the other “gates.”  CDHS originally explained that they depended on the other expertise opinions surrounding commercial code, but in the end CDHS decided to overrule all others.
5. Was this a costly setback?
   Fortunately we had not purchased the airline tickets yet.  We did have some expense incurred in preparing ourselves and an even bigger expense in preparing the children for their visas.  Of course we had spent countless hours, but the biggest expense is in the missed opportunities to make a difference in the lives of these ten orphaned children.  Adding another disappointment to each child is the hardest setback to deal with.
6. What would it cost to bring the Stoesz house up to commercial code?
   This is cost prohibitive.  We are not entertaining this option because it would not be a wise use of money or other resources.
7. Can the camp facility be somewhere else?
   Undoubtedly this would be a great solution in coming years.  It takes many months of preliminary approvals based on any location. (at least 4-6 months) Therefore, we would not have enough time to qualify a new location.
8. What will happen to the Orphaned children who were planning on coming?
   We hope to find another camp located in Ukraine that they can participate in.  We do not know this availability yet. We are looking for a way to do something special for this orphanage. We have already made contact with our Ukraine partners working on this.
9. Can a local church just step in and host the camp?
   Not likely.  There is still the need for a written exemption from CDHS.  With the stern message sent to UOO regarding “no waiver eligibility” we suspect shifting the program to just being under a new name will bring a great deal of scrutiny to the camp and UOO.
10. How can I help as a concerned volunteer and supporter of past UOO camps?
11. Has UOO ever thought of doing mission trips to Ukraine?
    Yes, UOO has utilized many people who were traveling to Ukraine for delivering goods and maintaining connections with our existing relationships.  A trip to help at Mel’s and Ruth’s transitional homes in Berdyansk Ukraine is planned for 2012.
12. Has God maintained a presence in what appears to be an attack?
    YES, we have been overwhelmed by the responses, care, concern and encouragement that have literally flogged our e-mail, phone and Facebook accounts.  If this camp closure stirs you inside, we urge you to maintain this passion and become resolute in making a difference in an orphan’s life! Imagine the disappointment felt by these ten orphans….. a hundred orphans……100,000 just in Ukraine!
13. Will good come out of this?
    Absolutely! We are confident that the UOO community is a united group of concerned supporters.  Strength is not tested until pressure is applied.  This week we have seen pressure, and we have seen strength!  We look forward to the new direction that will arise out of this!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV