Birth-sibling Relationships

I was catching up on some reading this weekend and came across this article from January's issue of Psychology Today Two-Minute Memoir: Alternate Family. Written by an adoptive dad, it explores the choice to assist his daughter in finding her biological sister. The sisters had been placed with two separate agencies and thus with separate adoptive families.

The family had planned on waiting until the child reached 18 to let her do her own birthfamily search, if she felt she wished to at that point. However life had thrown some curveballs and the family decided to find the one sibling they knew about. In the article he explores the fear the family had and how they worked with their daughter to manage the situation. And the new world opened to them through adoption.

Read the article to find out the details. What have been your experiences with the biological family of your child? Any tips or strategies you used?

South Carolina Law

There is a new law which hopes to improve the adoption process in South Carolina. The improvements will come in two ways: (1) Time limits will be in place that will allow foster families to adopt children more quickly and, (2) It will put less emphasis on keeping birth families together, in cases where the parents are substance abusers or mentally ill. (Full details here)

Do you think these actions will result in more adoptions of children in the foster care system? What other measures can we take?

Fashionable Fundraiser

Yesterday we were involved at a fundraiser thrown on our behalf at the gorgeous Overbrook Golf Club. Sue Burt & Bridget Devine, the Chairs of the event, did a fabulous job of bringing together so many women to raise money for our Center.

 
 


The day began with raffle items inside and refreshments outside on the deck overlooking the golf course. We had displays discussing and promoting some of our programs while Adam and Gramercy Boutique, who provided the fashions and accessories for the fashion show, also showed select items.

 
 


This fun was followed by a short but serious program featuring a family who have adopted four children (three from one sibling group) in addition to the four they already have. Theirs was a poignant story of wishing to keep siblings together and the realities of blending so many children together. They seem to be handling it beautifully!
 
 

Finally we had lunch, with a fashion show and the raffle drawings. All told this event raised over $22,000! Thanks to all of the fine women who attended the event. And a special thanks to those who were on the event committee:

Nora Brady Lesley Coulson Michele Chupein Kathy DePillis Lara Evans Jennifer Franklin Beth Hines Missy Kathol Christina Kearney Stephanie Kraus Donna Maple

Gina McHugh Meg O’Grady Erin O’Neil Julie Powers Bridget Rahr Maria Schreder Stephanie Shaw Anna Slack Rory Whitaker Krissa Wichser Khaki Young Shannon Zeller

We look forward to seeing you all next year!

That Time of Year

On Friday we bid farewell to two of our interns (the third was stuck in finals). We had a lovely lunch and shared many laughs. A couple of weeks back we shared the post of one of our interns, below is the second one, from Eryn.


Although I have only been with the National Adoption Center for about two months, I feel like I have learned enough to have been here for three years! It is amazing the time and energy that is put into every little detail that we do here. They have really taken me in and made me feel welcome to the “family”.

Personally, I have really taken a huge interest in the match parties. I don’t know whose genius idea it was to have families and foster children come together in a fun and relaxed atmosphere to get to know each other, but it was a FANTASTIC idea! So may of these children have lost all hope to finding a family and these parties instill a hope in them that they lost a long time ago! The people involved work hard so that the party is fun and effective for the children and the families that want to adopt!

I have been working hard on trying to find new ways to get the word out to people that we need help and donations to make these parties something to remember for the kids. It is a lot easier said than done! However, a few very generous people have helped us out so far and given us hope that more people will follow their lead. I know people want to do good things and it is up to us to find those people and give them a good reason to help us out!!

I have really taken this internship to heart and I have even started to consider staying in the adoption field and making a life out of it once I graduate from Villanova. I have truly experienced the pride in helping others since I have been here. Everyone at the National Adoption Center puts their hearts and souls into helping these kids and reaching out to the community!

Teen Matching Event Wrap Up!

We’ve been very busy here lately with our SWAN teen matching events. On April 10, 2010 we hosted a Teen Party in Lancaster, PA. 20 teens and 21 families approved to adopt attended and had a very good time getting acquainted and doing a variety of activities. After the party, we exchanged additional information between the families’ social worker and the youth social workers so that they can follow up.

On May 1st we had the chance to do some additional follow up. The youth and the families joined us for a laser tag party where we played laser tag, ate lunch, played arcade games and saw a laser show. This gave the youth and families an opportunity to spend more time together in a fun environment.

As of now, many of the families have expressed interest in the youth. We are very hopeful that in the near future we will know of the new families that have been created as a result of the SWAN teen matching events!

Sunday Out!

Hello All,
This Sunday our Center hosted a table at the annual Sunday Out. This year’s Sunday Out was hosted at the Piazzia in Northern Liberties. The NAC staff spoke to many families about the adoption process. Do you know that most of the LGBT population does not know that they can adopt? Not sure who created the rule of the traditional family, but from my experience, family are those who stick with you through the good times and the bad times. Family are those who you can rely on to be there when you are sick, happy, sad, need forgiving, need to be forgiven, and all that other mushy stuff that goes along with LOVE. It felt good to break some myths about adoption and hand out our LGBT booklet of frequently asked questions on LGBT adoptions.

If you would like a copy of our FAQ on LGBT adoptions, please contact me to get one sent to you. Whether it be for you a friend or just some good old public awareness, get informed and spread the word! If you have a home, lots of love to give, practice a great deal of patience for imperfections, and have no criminal history, please open up your hearts and home to one of our waiting children. It does not matter if you are married, single, red, or blue, our kids need a family to love them and a place to feel safe.

SMART:-)

The words below are taken from President Obama’s Proclamation that May is National Foster Care Month:

Nearly a half-million children and youth are in foster care in America, all entering the system through no fault of their own. During National Foster Care Month, we recognize the promise of children and youth in foster care, as well as former foster youth. We also celebrate the professionals and foster parents who demonstrate the depth and kindness of the human heart.

Children and youth in foster care deserve the happiness and joy every child should experience through family life and a safe, loving home. Families provide children with unconditional love, stability, trust, and the support to grow into healthy, productive adults. Unfortunately, too many foster youth reach the age at which they must leave foster care and enter adulthood without the support of a permanent family.

This month, caring foster parents and professionals across our Nation will celebrate the triumphs of children and youth in foster care as they work to remove barriers to reaching a permanent family. Federal, State, and local government agencies, communities, and individuals all have a role to play as well. Together, we can ensure that young people in foster care have the opportunities and encouragement they need to realize their full potential.

The National Adoption Center believes that children in foster care do hold great promise, but to achieve that to its fullest, we also believe that adoption is the solution, regardless of age.