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Fredericton NB -- Parent Chat.
An informal, welcoming support group for parents of adopted children at any stage of the process.
Susann McFadzen, 457-1866, Children's Bridge.
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Moncton NB --
Adoptive Moms Support Group.
Third Thursday.
Informal, drop-in support group for moms of adopted children, and moms-to-be. 7-9 pm.
Jennifer O'Leary, 506-853-7268, Children's Bridge.
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Saint John NB -- Saint John Adoptive Parents Assn.
Second Tuesday (exc. July/Aug.), at 7 pm, Grace Presbyterian Church, 101 Coburg St. For pre- and post-adoption support; domestic/international adoption.
Jenn Gerrits, 506-659-2499.
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Montréal --
China Care - Children's Playgroup.
Every other Saturday. Exposes adopted Chinese children to their roots (language, food, arts and crafts) in a fun environment. McGill Univ., 3480 McTavish St., 1:30-3 pm. Grace and Olivia.
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Belleville ON -- Adoption Support Group.
Second Thursday. 363 Dundas St. W., through Hastings CAS.
Marie Ann Lammers, 613-398-7509.
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Ottawa -- Ottawa Parent Group.
Monthly on a Wednesday, Sept.-May.
Informal group for adoptive parents, 7-9 pm, Children's Bridge Office, 1400 Clyde Ave., #221.
Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, Children's Bridge.
Ottawa -- Waiting Parents Group.
Meeting four times a year, starting March 24, 2011, 7 pm.
For singles and couples awaiting placement of a child through adoption.
Catherine MacLellan, Open Door Society of Ottawa, 613-302-2092.
Ottawa -- LGBTQ Adoptive Parents Group.
Third Wednesday of the month, October-June.
Parent-led support for adoptive lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit and queer parents. Parents from all family structures, with children of any age, are welcome. 6:30-8:30 pm, Centretown Community Health Centre, 420 Cooper St.
Celeste Taylor.
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Toronto --
Families in Adoption.
Last Sunday of Jan., Mar, May, Sept., Nov.; July picnic.
Informal support for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, local and international adoption. Activities for children. Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Dr., east of Mt. Pleasant.
Pat Fenton, 416-964-0042.
Toronto -- "On Our Own" Single Parenting Group.
Fourth Thursday.
For those who choose single parenthood through adoption or donor gametes. Infertility treatments; adoption process; life of a child with one parent.
Infertility Support Program.
6-8 pm, 8th floor, Women's Health Centre, 790 Bay St. (at College).
Jan Silverman, 416-351-3721.
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Toronto, Ottawa, London, Mississauga --
"How to Adopt" seminars.
Twice a month, 7-9 pm. Dates, locations at
ACO Events.
Adoptive parents and professionals discuss options, costs, homestudies for local or international adoption. $85/family.
Patricia Convery, 416-482-0021, Adoption Council of Ontario
Toronto -- FACE Support Group.
Last Wednesday.
Families of Adopted Children from Eastern Europe meet at family homes. Information, speakers and social events with our children.
Louise LaRocca, 416-484-4588.
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Brampton ON -- Parents Voice on Adoption. Second Tuesday. Adoptive families discuss raising children 0-6. 6:30-8:30 pm; dinner, refreshments. Ontario Early Years Centre, #105, 57 Mill St. N.
Noreen Hornsby, Early Years Manager, CDRCP, 905-452-1973.
Burlington ON -- Belonging. Last Monday.
Compass Point Bible Church, 2501 Eaglesfield Dr. For adoptive parents.
Janice McDonald, Burlington, 905-332-9469.
Burlington ON -- Parent Support Group. Third Tuesday.
7-9 pm. Meet other adoptive parents.
Lynn Mighton, Children's Bridge.
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Kitchener ON --
Adoptive Parents Talk.
Fourth Monday.
Informal get-togethers for all adoptive parents. Discuss the challenges of adopting and parenting adopted children. 7 pm, 2nd floor, Zehr's Laurentian Power Centre, 750 Ottawa St., S., Kitchener.
Stephanie Morgan, Post Adoption Coordinator, 519-622-8373, Children's Bridge.
Niagara Region --
Niagara Imagine Families.
Saturday morning, every two months.
For families adopting from Ethiopia. Parents and children welcome.
Barbara-Anne.
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London ON -- Coffee Talk.
Second Wednesday.
Share adoption and parenting ideas with parents of children adopted from abroad. 7:30 pm, Symposium Café, 620 Richmond St.
Kim Jones, 519-652-9574, Children's Bridge.
London ON -- London Coalition of Adoptive Families.
Third Tuesday, except July and August. At London-Middlesex Children's Aid Society, 1680 Oxford St. Summer family picnic. Always looking for new members.
Paula Schuck.
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Sudbury ON -- Sudbury Adoption Support Group.
Second Wednesday, except July and August.
111 Elm St., 7-9pm. Must be 18 to join.
Esther, 705-969-7152.
Timmins ON -- Sharing Post Adoption Issues.
Third Tuesday.
For all in the adoption constellation.
Lark Ritchie, 705-235-8121 x7515.
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Winnipeg -- MAPS (Manitoba Adoptive Parents Support).
Second Wednesday. South Winnipeg Family Information Centre, Lower Level, 800 Point Rd. For meeting times call MAPS co-coordinator Sue Brook, 204-231-3014.
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British Columbia -- Adoptive Families Assn. of BC gives monthly meeting dates and times for B.C. support groups, including AFABC support groups.
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Past Events in Adoption
2011
Mar. 24, 2011, Ottawa -- Waiting Parents Group Ottawa. Share experiences of growing your family through adoption. Meeting four times a year. 7 pm. Catherine MacLellan, 613-302-2092.
Apr. 2, 2011, Bellingham, MA -- 38th Annual New England Conference, "Tales of the Journey: Past, Present & Future",
Bellingham High School. Keynote: Sue Badeau.
Adoption Community of New England, ACONE
Apr. 9, 2011, Toronto -- ACO Parent Education Day, "Grow Your Love: Nurturing Adoptive Families".
9 am-4 pm, 30 Isabella St., 7th floor (Children's Aid Society).
Keynote speaker: Elaine T. Ash, MSW, RSW; adoptive family panel.
Four workshops for adopting parents, adoption professionals and colleagues. How parents can nurture, change and grow to integrate the child into their family.
ACO member $50; non-member $60; lunch included.
Adoption Council of Ontario.
Apr. 10, 2011, Toronto -- Adoption Resource Exchange (A.R.E.). Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 9 am-4:30 pm, 416-585-8000. Semi-annual conference hosted by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services that helps locate and match adoptive families with Ontario children needing adoption. Ontario Children's Aid Societies present videos and agency displays of Ontario children waiting for adoption. Open to anyone interested in adopting a child from Ontario. To fill in an Expression of Interest form regarding a child profiled, you will need a completed homestudy assessment. Free; register on-site. Info: Maureen Black, 416-325-7084.
Apr. 14-17, 2011, Orlando FL -- 32nd AAC Conference, Many Faces of Adoption. Keynotes from leaders in adoption research, experts in
adoption reform legislation and the adoption world.
American Adoption Congress
May 28, 2011, Toronto -- Seminar for Extended Family and Friends of the Adoptive Family.
For your parents, in-laws, siblings, older children, other family members, friends, nannies. Positive adoption language; how to answer questions; adjustments of internationally adopted children; understanding open adoption relationships; understanding the adoptee.
10 am-1 pm. $60/person. Refreshments. Location provided on registration.
Sofie Stergianis,
Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003.
June 14, 2011, Guelph ON -- An evening with Michael Grand, PhD, C.Psych.
Victoria Park East Golf Club, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Dr. Michael Grand, University of Guelph, with key findings from his new book, The Adoption Constellation.
For adoptive parents and professionals: explore post-adoption questions;
birth family relations;
advocate for your child in school;
social networking; role of professionals in supporting adoptive families.
Free; donations accepted.
Beginnings Family Services, 877-528-6665,
info@beginnings.ca.
June 18, 2011, Kingston ON -- Open adoption workshop. 9:30 am-4 pm, Travelodge Hotel Lasalle, 2360 Princess St. Workshop with Jennie Painter, $226. Adoption Resource and Counselling Services, 613-542-0275.
July 3-14, 2011 -- 2011 China Heritage Summer Tour For Families with Children Adopted from China. 12-day homeland tour, Beijing to Kunming, offered by Toronto District School Board with financial support from Qiaban, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. Cost: airfare, plus child, $590; adult, $1,215. Apply by Apr. 29.
Jolly Yang, 416 209-7459,
www.chinaheritagecamp.ca.
Aug. 4-6, 2011, Denver CO -- 2011 NACAC Conference, "Healing across Systems: Interdisciplinary Support for Children and Families". 37th annual conference. Denver Marriott Tech Center.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Bruce Perry, expert on child trauma.
Canadian activist: André Fontaine, Ottawa Children's Aid Society
Workshops by Canadians: 1L: Open Adoption, Opens Hearts: Jennifer
Gerrits, Saint John Adoptive Parents Association.
2J: Finding a Permanent Family before the Child is
Legally Free: the Québec model: Geneviève Page,
University of Montréal, Hélène Tremblay, Centre
de Jeunesse de la Montérégie, Québec.
INST 11: Forming Adoptee and Adoptive Family
Identity: Psychological & Communication
Perspectives: Robert Ballard, University of Waterloo, with Gregory Keck of Ohio.
North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org.
September 2011, Burlington ON -- Transracial parenting inititative. 3310 South Service Rd., Suite 300. Session for adoptive parents and prospective parents adopting transracially.
Susan Crawford, (905) 220-3920,
Blend Education and Training.
Oct. 15, 2011, Toronto -- Adoption Council of Ontario, Education Day, "Strong Connections = Strong Adoptions".
A chance for adoptive parents, pre-adoptive parents and adoption professionals to build connections and provide support through education and awareness.
9-4 pm.
30 Isabella St.
$50/ACO members; $60/non-members; includes lunch with adoptive parent panel.
Held in conjunction with the Adoption Resource Exchange on the next day, Sunday. Keynote speaker: Candee Forest on "The Power of Attachment".
Workshops on attachment in the school, public adoption, risk of drugs and alcohol, single parenting.
ACO, 416-482-0021.
Sponsored by Adoption Council of Ontario, info@adoption.on.ca.
Oct. 16, 2011, Toronto -- Adoption Resource Exchange (A.R.E.):
Children's Aid Societies adoption workers from across the province provide information
through videos and display booths and answer questions about Ontario children waiting for adoption. 9-4 pm, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building/Lower Level/John Bassett Theatre, 255 Front St. West, 416-585-8000. Free.
Hosted by Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
Nov. 5, 2011, Kingston ON -- Open adoption workshop. 9:30 am-4 pm, Travelodge Hotel Lasalle, 2360 Princess St. Workshop with Jennie Painter, $226. Adoption Resource and Counselling Services, 613-542-0275.
Nov. 18-19, 2011, Saskatoon SK -- Adoption and Fostering Conference
featuring Patricia Irwin Johnston, adoptive parent, adoption author and publisher.
Sponsored by Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan, 306-665-7272.
Nov. 20, 2011, Saskatoon SK -- SaskAdoptWalk 2011 fundraiser, by Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan, 306-665-7272.
Nov. 24, 2011, Fredericton NB -- Information Session
for prospective adoptive parents.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 659 Queen St.,
6:30 pm. Free. The Children's Bridge.
2012
Jan. 4, 2012, Ottawa ON -- Information Session
for prospective adoptive parents at The Children's Bridge Office, 1400 Clyde Ave., #221.
6:30 pm. Free. The Children's Bridge.
