On Wednesday, September 7, at 3:00 p.m., at the Lake Villa Library (1001 E. Grand Avenue), several alumni from the Allendale Association will gather with child care professionals, business and civic leaders, and local residents to welcome the literary world’s newest sensation Vanessa Diffenbaugh, author of The Language of Flowers, an intimate look at the struggles of children in the foster care system.

 The Language of Flowers chronicles the life of “Victoria,” a young woman who has been through the foster care program and now has nowhere to go.  Victoria sleeps in a public park and finds solace and peace through flowers and begins to plant a small garden of her own. When Victoria’s talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them.   

The Web site, www.goodreads.com, gives The Language of Flowers 4-1/2 (out of five) stars and calls it “a heartbreaking and redemptive novel about the meaning of flowers, the meaning of family, and the meaning of love.”

The Allendale Association’s president Mary Shahbazian is glad that former Allendale students, who were in the agency’s foster care program, have been asked to participate in the book signing and discussion about the needs of youth in foster care. 

“We are so pleased that Allendale and its students can have an active role in discussing the challenges faced by children in the foster care system,” said Shahbazian.   “It’s absolutely critical and essential that groups like Allendale have an opportunity and the capacity to help connect families and communities with children and youth in foster care.”

After the program and discussion, a book sale and signing will take place with the author.

For more information about this program, please call the Lake Villa Library at 847-356-7711 or register at www.lvdl.org.  Space is limited, so make your reservations soon.

Background Information About Allendale:

Founded in 1897, the Allendale Association is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to excellence and innovation in care, treatment, education and advocacy for troubled youth and their families.  Today’s programs and services, including the foster care program, reach children with a broad range of moderate to profound emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties and challenges.  Currently, the Allendale Association serves over 1,260 children, adolescents, young adults and families in need annually.  For more information about the Allendale Association, please visit www.allendale4kids.org or call 847-356-2351.