Events & Updates
SAVE THE DATE FOR 2020:
February:
What: The Refresh Conference
When: February 14-15, 2020 (Registration open now)
Where: Simpsonville First Baptist Church, 3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville
March:
What: Lowcountry Family Fair
Where: Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston
When: March 7, 2020, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
What: The Midlands Family Fair
Where: Tri-City Leisure Center, 485 Brooks Ave., Columbia
When: March 21, 2020, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
April:
What: Upstate Family Fair
Where: Simpsonville First Baptist Church, 3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville
When: April 18, 2020, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2019:
May:
What: 8th Annual Race for Adoption
When: Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9 a.m. (rain or shine)
Where: Covenant UMC
1310 Old Spartanburg Road, Greer, SC 29650
Website (to register): Race for Adoption
March:
What: Talk to area professionals and find out how to begin your journey to adoption or foster care!
When: March 23, 2019 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Where: Tri-City Leisure Center
485 Brooks Avenue, West Columbia, SC
Families Forever Project:
February:
Families Forever Project
What: Talk to area professionals and find out how to begin your journey to adoption or foster care!
When: February 9, 2016 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Where: Felix C. Davis Community Center
4800 Park Circle, N. Charleston, SC
We are a vendor at Refresh Conference
January:
Families Forever Project
What: Talk to area professionals and find out how to begin your journey to adoption or foster care!
When: January 26, 2019 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church of Simpsonville
3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville, SC
Raymond W. Godwin Inducted Into The South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, 2018
Congratulations to Attorney Raymond for being inducted into the South Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly Hall of Fame 2018!
Adoption Seminar
Where: Hampton Park Baptist Church (Blue Room) 875 State Park Rd., Greenville
When: October 27, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What: General Adoption and Home Study Information
Who: Attorney Ray Godwin
Thornwell Foster Care Conference (5 1/2 credit hours)
Where: First Baptist Church of Simpsonville 3 Hedge St., Simpsonville, SC
When: Saturday, September 15, at 9 a.m.
What: The Thornwell Foster Care Conference offers the opportunity to learn from experts about their experiences and strategies for managing children from hard places. This Conference is for current and prospective foster parents, social service professionals, therapists, pastors, youth ministers, etc. Join us to see first-hand how Thornwell supports and trains foster families to succeed!
Keynote Address by Dr. John DeGarmo – Facing Challenges and Reaping Rewards
Cost: $40 (includes light breakfast, snacks, lunch, and childcare)
Signup: thornwell.org/conference
Race for Adoption Event
Where: Covenant United Methodist Church 1310 Old Spartanburg Rd., Greer
When: Saturday, May 12, at 9:00 a.m.
Signup:
https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Greer/RaceForAdoption
New 2015 Tax Credit Information Available
The adoption credit can be taken on up to $13,400 of costs, a $210 boost. If the credit is more than a filer’s tax liability, the excess is not refundable. The full $13,400 credit is available for a special needs adoption, even if it costs less. The credit starts to dry up for filers with AGIs over $201,010 and ends at $241,010. The exclusion for company-paid adoption aid also increases to $13,400.
Birthday Celebrations
Ray & Marion celebrate their birthdays this month!
Congratulations Marion on reaching the next milestone.

Raymond Godwin Receives Thanks from Senator DeMint
Senator DeMint thanked Ray for his assistance with the 2011 Finding Families Adoption Conference. You can view the letter here.
2013 Tax Credit Information Available.
Read about 2013 Tax Credit Information here.
Services Provided Through NightLight Christian Adoptions:
Domestic Adoption Support Group for Adoptive Parents The Vine Community Church 4373 Wade Hampton Blvd, Taylors, SC
4th Monday of the Month at 7:00 p.m. Contact [email protected]
Adoption Education Workshops For Those Interested in Adopting
1212 Haywood Road, Suite 400A, Greenville, SC 29615
Every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Contact [email protected]
Birth Mother Support Group
4th Thursday of the Month Call 864-241-2883 for details