Family Helper > Adoption Helper > Coming Events in Adoption		Family Helper   Web

   REGULAR MEETINGS

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. 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. 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. 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. Belleville ON -- Adoption Support Group.   Second Thursday. 363 Dundas St. W., through Hastings CAS. Marie Ann Lammers, 613-398-7509. 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. Last Thursday of the month. For singles and couples at all stages of adoption. Kate MacLellan, Open Door Society of Ottawa, 613-749-6315. Ottawa -- LGBTQ Adoptive Parents Group. Third Tuesday of the month. For adoptive lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer parents and parents-to-be. 6:30-8:30 pm, Centretown Community Health Centre, 420 Cooper St. Holly, 613-742-5944, blog 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. British Columbia -- Adoptive Families Assn. of BC gives monthly meeting dates and times for B.C. support groups, including AFABC support groups. SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2010 July 23-25, 2010, Harrisburg PA -- 12th Annual KAAN Conference, "The Road Ahead". Holiday Inn Harrisburg East. Keynote speaker: Korean birthmother Kyung Ae Bae. Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network Aug. 4-7, 2010, Hartford, Conn. -- 2010 NACAC Conference. NACAC's 36th annual conference. North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org. Sept. 23-26, 2010, Stratford, Ont -- Intercountry Adoption Summit. Arden Park Hotel. University of Waterloo's first-ever intercountry adoption summit. Countries meet and issue recommendations for the future of intercountry adoption. Researchers and scholars from around the world present research in intercountry adoption. $150 students; $280 early bird; $380 regular. Robert L. Ballard, adoptionsummit.uwaterloo.ca Oct. 14-16, 2010, New York -- Sixth Biennial Adoption Conference "Open Arms, Open Minds: The Ethics of Adoption in the 21st Century". St. John's University, Manhattan Campus. For professionals, scholars, students and those touched by adoption. Co-sponsored by Montclair State University, Hunter College School of Social Work, POV, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. adoptioninitiative@gmail.com, www.adoptioninitiative.org Nov. 5, 2010, Tucson AZ -- LGBT Adoptions: Our Community, Our Voices Conference. University of Arizona. Adoption triad members share their struggles and joys in the LGBT adoption community; issues of representation. Ethica and the Alliance Project, ethicainfo@gmail.com Nov. 6, 2010, Piscataway NJ -- New Jersey's 29th Annual Let's Talk Adoption Conference. Rutgers University. CPFA 2010 Conference To list your event -- no charge -- email Robin Hilborn, helper@familyhelper.net Past Events in Adoption [Archived events] 2009 Jan. 23-25, 2009, Oakville, Ont. -- Post-Adoption Training Weekend. Jan. 23 (evening) to Jan. 25 (afternoon). Quality Suites Oakville. The aim is to help adoptive parents to form or expand adoptive parent support groups in their communities, and to provide peer support and connections to provincial, national and international adoption resources and supports. Topics include: Benefits and Types of Support Groups; Leadership Styles; Avoiding Burnout; Group Facilitation; Advocacy Needs in Canada. First 35 registrants, $200, includes training materials, accommodation and meals. Full rate $350. Meals and training only: $100. For all adoptive parents in Ontario. A chance to meet parents who have adopted children recently and long ago, domestically or internationally. Registration: Sarah Pedersen, Program Manager, Adoption Council of Canada. Laura Eggertson, Post-Adoption Consultant, ACC. Feb. 27, 2009, Bradford ON -- Helping Children Build Better Relationships through Attachment-Based Play. St. John's Church, 10th Sdrd and 8th line. Workshop to teach parents techniques to help emotionally settle an adopted or foster child, e.g. Theraplay to help form secure attachments. 10 am-3pm, lunch provided. $60; $75/2. Presentation by Lorie Walton, familyfirstplaytherapy@bellnet.ca, 905-775-1620, Family First Play Therapy Centre, www.familyfirstplaytherapy.ca/theraplay03.html Mar. 28, 2009, North York ON -- International Adoption Workshop. North York Memorial Community Hall, Gold Room, North York City Hall, 5110 Yonge St. 10 am-1 pm. Adoption programs in Russia and Kazakhstan. New adoptive families will share their stories and answer questions. $25. Liana Yermakova, Adoption Horizons agency, adoptionhorizons@sympatico.ca, 416-512-7591, www.adoptionhorizons.com March 25-28, 2009, Indianapolis IN -- Conference "Embracing Change to Find Families for Vulnerable Children". Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. For international adoption practitioners. Joint Council on International Children's Services April 4, 2009, Toronto -- International Adoption Educational Seminar: Beyond P.R.I.D.E. Country choices and process; preparing for adoption and travel; meeting your child; food, language, sleeping; medical issues; mixed race adoptions. 1:30-5 pm. $185+tax/couple; $95+tax/single. Resource materials; refreshments. Location provided on registration. Sofie Stergianis, Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003, www.adoptioneducation.ca Apr. 22-26, 2009, Cleveland OH -- American Adoption Congress, 30th Annual National Adoption Conference. Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Cleveland, 1100 Carnegie Ave. www.americanadoptioncongress.org/national_conferences.php Apr. 25, 2009, Toronto -- "A Family For Me!", Ontario Adoption Conference. Held twice a year by the Adoption Council of Ontario in conjunction with the Adoption Resource Exchange (on the next day, Sunday). 8:30-4:30; registration at 8 a.m. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 225 Front St. W., 416-585-8000. For adoptive and pre-adoptive parents, professionals and others. Choice of workshops; panel discussion; refreshments. Adoption agency displays; books for sale. Executive Director Pat Convery, ACO, 416-482-0021. See event listing at AdoptOntario, www.adoptontario.ca/events.aspx Apr. 26, 2009, Toronto -- Adoption Resource Exchange (A.R.E.): videos and agency displays of Ontario children waiting for adoption, by Ontario Children's Aid Societies and Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 9 am-4 pm, 416-585-8000. Free. April 29, 2009, Windsor/Essex County ON -- "Spring into Adoption". Information evening on domestic and international Adoption, the adoption application, local adoptive families' experiences. Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, 1550 Road 3 East, Kingsville (Highway #3 to Ruthven; right on #34 south; right on Road 3 East). 6-8:30 pm. $10 per person includes resource package. Pre-register by Apr. 22, 2009. For all Ontario residents. Presented by Adoption Basics - Steps to Family, www.adoptionbasics.ca. Arlene E. Klie, BSW, RSW, Approved Adoption Practitioner, Box 193, Kingsville ON N9Y 2E9, 519-733-0991, aklie@adoptionbasics.ca. May 9, 2009, Ottawa -- 15th Annual Birthmothers' Service. 7 pm. Chapel of the Holy Spirit, First United Church/All Saints Anglican Church, Westboro, 347 Richmond Rd. For birthmothers or anyone who wishes to pay tribute to women who have placed their children for adoption, whether by choice or otherwise ... mothers who love and remember their children but are themselves forgotten on the traditional Mother's Day. Sue Taylor, 613-232-1016. May 30, 2009, Mississauga ON -- Workshop "Race and Transracial Adoption", with Lisa Marie Rollins. By Children's Bridge. How thinking about oneself as black, Asian or Latin American has its own particular struggles for adopted children. Practical ways for parents to address racial identity in their children's lives. 2-4:30 pm. Holiday Inn Select Mississauga, Trudeau Room, 2656 Argentia Rd. $40 (Children's Bridge members); $50 (non-members). Register by May 8, 2009: Donna Paonessa, 905-226-2112, Children's Bridge. May 31, 2009, Ottawa ON -- Workshop "Race and Transracial Adoption", with Lisa Marie Rollins. By Children's Bridge. How thinking about oneself as black, Asian or Latin American has its own particular struggles for adopted children. Practical ways for parents to address racial identity in their children's lives. 1:30-3:30 pm. Royal Ottawa Hospital Auditorium, 1145 Carling Ave. $40 (Children's Bridge members); $50 (non-members). Register by May 8, 2009: Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, Children's Bridge. June 6, 2009, Toronto -- Seminar for Extended Family and Friends of Adoptive Family. For grandparents, aunts and uncles, other family members, friends. Positive adoption language; how to answer questions; adjustments of internationally adopted children; understanding open adoption relationships; growing up adopted. 1:30-4 pm. $50/person. Refreshments. Location provided on registration. Sofie Stergianis, Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003, www.adoptioneducation.ca June 7, 2009, Tecumseh ON -- "The Art of Waiting". Workshop for approved adoptive applicants. includes domestic and international adoption. Your adoption profile; adoption resource exchange; plan to meet agencies, birth family, foster families, orphanage directors. 1-4:30 pm. St. Gregory's Teen Action Centre, 13731 St. Gregory's Road, Tecumseh (from E.C. Row & 401: Take Manning Road North, past light at Tecumseh Rd; Right turn at St. Gregory's Road). $30 per person includes refreshments and materials. Pre-register by May 29, 2009. For all Ontario residents. Presented by Adoption Basics - Steps to Family, www.adoptionbasics.ca. Arlene E. Klie, BSW, RSW, Approved Adoption Practitioner, Box 193, Kingsville ON N9Y 2E9, 519-733-0991, aklie@adoptionbasics.ca. Aug. 12-15, 2009, Columbus OH -- 2009 NACAC Conference, "Family Connections: Roots of Success". NACAC's 35th annual conference. Hyatt Regency Columbus. North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org. For details see article Canadian adoption advocates win NACAC awards. Oct. 17, 2009, Mississauga, Ontario -- Adoption Council of Canada 2009 Annual General Meeting. Sarah Pedersen, Acting Executive Director, Adoption Council of Canada, sarah@adoption.ca, 613-235-0344, 1-888-542-3678. Oct. 18, 2009, Mississauga, Ont. -- AdoptWalk 2009, "Making Connections, Step by Step". First annual Canadian AdoptWalk. 5K walk along the waterfront; picnic at Lakefront Promenade Park, children's activities, music. Register at 11 a.m.; walk at 12, picnic from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Hosted by Adoption Council of Canada and Adoption Council of Ontario to help connect adoptive and foster families, parent groups and the general public, and raise awareness of the need for permanent families for all children. $20/person, $30/family. Funds raised support ACC and ACO's programs for all those touched by adoption. Sarah Pedersen, ACC, 1-888-54-ADOPT, or Pat Convery, ACO, 1-877-ADOPT-20. Oct. 24, 2009, Toronto -- Adoption Education Day, "Making Dreams a Reality: Preparing to Parent a Traumatized Child". Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 8:30-4, North Building, 225 Front St. W., 416-585-8000. Strengthen the lifelong connection between parent and child in cases of trauma, loss or separation in the early years. Presenter: Mary Jo Land, psychotherapist and play therapist, vice-president of Association for Training and Treatment of Attachment in Children. All-day workshop, hosted by Adoption Council of Ontario. $50 member; $60 non-member. Pat Convery, ACO, 416-482-0021. See ACO event listings Nov. 7, 2009, Piscataway, NJ -- New Jersey's 28th annual "Let's Talk Adoption" Conference. Rutgers University. Concerned Persons For Adoption Nov. 20, 2009 -- National Adoption Day, a day to organize special events celebrating adoption. November is Adoption Awareness Month. Nov. 22, 2009, Tecumseh ON -- "Adoption Afternoon". Information event for prospective adoptive parents. Presentation and Q&A on the current adoption scene in Ontario and internationally. Chat with a panel of adoptive parents. 1:30-4:30 pm. Optimist Community Centre, 13731 St. Gregory's Dr., Tecumseh (Windsor/Essex County: from E.C. Row & 401: take Manning Road North, past light at Tecumseh Rd; right turn at St. Gregory's Road). $20 includes info package. Pre-register by Nov. 14, 2009. Presented by Adoption Basics - Steps to Family, www.adoptionbasics.ca. Arlene E. Klie, BSW, RSW, Approved Adoption Practitioner, Box 193, Kingsville ON, 519-733-0991, aklie@adoptionbasics.ca. Dec. 8, 2009, Saint John NB -- Annual Family Christmas Gathering of the Saint John Adoptive Parents Assn. 5:30-7:30, Grace Presbyterian Church, 101 Coburg St. Crafts; presents for the children. Gifts donated by the N.B. Adoption Foundation. RSVP by Dec. 1: Jennifer Gerrits, 506-659-2499. 2010 Jan. 30, 2010, Vancouver B.C. -- Growing together - FASD Retreat. 8:45 am - 5 pm, Anderson Heritage House, 6135 MacDonald St. For parents of people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. $35/person; $60/couple. Register by Jan. 15. Adoptive Families Association of B.C. and Adoption Council of Canada. PDF: FASD Retreat Jan. 30, 2010, Waterloo, Ont. -- "Adopted to Adopting: Reflections on International/Transracial Adoption and its Future." 10-noon. Arts Lecture Hall 116, University of Waterloo campus. Four speakers. Free. PDF: Presentation Mar. 5, 2010, Milton, Ont. -- W.I.S.E. UP! Workshop. 6-8 pm, Milton Leisure Centre, 1100 Main St. E. For children in grades 4-6 and their parents. Angela Harvey, Approved Adoption Practitioner, 519-658-6466, PDF Mar. 6, 2010, Burlington , Ont. -- W.I.S.E. UP! Workshop. 10-noon, Burlington Central Library, 2331 New St. For children in grades 1-3 and their parents. Angela Harvey, Approved Adoption Practitioner, 519-658-6466, PDF Mar. 18-21, 2010, Sacramento CA -- American Adoption Congress, "Voices of Adoption Speaking Our Truth, Restoring Our Rights". Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J Street. 31st Annual Conference Apr. 17, 2010, Kelowna B.C. -- Helping Children Build Better Relationships through Attachment-Based Play. 9 - 3:30 pm, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston St. Workshop for foster and adoptive parents and extended family caregivers. Learn parenting techniques like Theraplay to help form secure attachments. Presenter: Lorie Walton, Family First Play Therapy Centre, Bradford, Ont. $50. Register: BCPlay@gmail.com, B.C. Play Therapy Association Apr. 17, 2010, Bellingham, MA -- 37th Annual New England Conference, "Identity in Adoption: Glimpses Beneath the Masks". Bellingham High School. 85 workshops. Keynote: Debbie Riley. Adoption Community of New England, ACONE May 2, 2010, Tecumseh ON -- "Springing into Adoption". Information event (Windsor area) on domestic and international adoption, Homestudy & Training, local adoptive families' experiences. $25 per person includes resource package. 1-4 pm. Pre-register by Apr. 28. Presented by Adoption Basics - Steps to Family. Arlene E. Klie, BSW, RSW, Approved Adoption Practitioner, Kingsville ON, 519-733-0991. May 12, 2010, Toronto -- Workshop "Jump-Starting Your Adoption Journey". For couples and singles trying to find a match through private domestic adoption. How to connect with prospective birth parents; parent profile; networking plan. 7- 9 pm, Loblaws Forest Hill Community Room, 396 St. Clair Ave. W. $30/single, $50/couple (includes refreshments and handouts). Lawrence Morton, Canada Adopts April 6-June 8, 2010, Toronto -- Adoptive Parents Education/Support Group. 7-9 pm, for ten weeks. Leaside Therapy Centre, 1395 Bayview Ave. Led by Annette Kussin, MSW and Marguerite McCarron, CYW, BA, Dipl TCPP. www.leasidetherapycentre.com/adoptiveparents.html June 5, 2010, 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. $55/person. Refreshments. Location details provided on registration. Sofie Stergianis, Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003, adoptioneducation.ca.htm June 6-9, 2010, Toronto -- Putting Children First: Making a Difference. 2010 OACAS Conference, at Doubletree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Rd., Toronto, $800. Experts in child welfare present their work, research and programs. 11 keynote speakers, 12 plenary sessions, 60 workshops. For child welfare professionals, foster parents and resource families. Workshops on Adoption: TUESAM4 "Building Capacity to Adopt Ontario's Waiting Crown Wards" by Deborah Goodman (Toronto CAS), Karen Kartusch and Christine MacPhee (Durham CAS). TUESAM7 "Cultural Planning, Aboriginal Children and Adoption " by Jeannine Carriere. Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies June 16, 2010, Toronto -- Workshop "Adoption 101: Creating A Successful Adoption Plan". 7-9 pm, Loblaws Forest Hill Community Room, 396 St. Clair Ave. W. Tips and strategies to get your adoption journey off the ground. Your options; risks and rewards; choosing professionals; creating a support network. $30/single, $50/couple (with refreshments, handouts). Register with: Lawrence Morton, Canada Adopts June 17, 2010, Oakville, Ont. -- Transracial Parenting Initiative project launch. 6:30-8:30 pm, 1151 Bronte Rd. Education and training tool for prospective parents adopting and fostering transracially. Premiere of DVD "Perspectives on ParentingTransracially in Canada". Panel discussion. Books for sale. Susan Crawford, (905) 842-2486 ext. 227, Halton Multicultural Council

Also, see meetings and conferences in the world of infertility, in Coming Fertility Events.

You can order Family Helper publications.