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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 -- Adoptive Parent Support Group.
Monthly on a Wednesday.
For adopting parents who have completed homestudy and PRIDE. Discuss issues common to adoptive parents. Free, 7-8:30 pm, at Children's Aid Society, 1602 Telesat Ct.
Register: Lori Rosove, 613-680-0911, The Adoption Source.
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 -- 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.
Mar. 11, 2012, New York NY -- 18th annual
Adoption and the Family Conference.
8:45 am-5 pm, Conference Center, 130 East 59th St.
Keynote: "Adoption Through The Generations", Adam Pertman, Executive
Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute.
25 workshops, including Dr. Jane Aronson, Rebecca Harris (JCICS), Sam Pitkowsky (President, Adoptive Parents Committee-NYC).
Register: Ametz Adoption Program/Jewish Child Care Assn.
Mar. 20-23, 2012, Ottawa -- Rainbow Health Ontario 2012 Conference,
"Supporting LGBT Health Through Every Stage of Life". Ottawa Marriott Hotel.
Over 50 workshops, seminars and plenary sessions on the health and wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in Ontario.
Presented by Sherbourne Health Centre of Toronto.
Register at Rainbow Health Ontario.
Mar. 22-25, 2012, Claremont CA -- 4th International Conference on Adoption and Culture, "Mapping Adoption: Histories, Geographies, Literatures, Politics".
Claremont Colleges. The experiences, institutions, cultural
meanings and politics of adoption, fostering, orphanages and assisted
reproduction.
Keynote speakers: Dan Chaon, Catherine Cheniza Choy.
Documentary films:
Ask Us Who We Are; Made in India; The Woman, the Orphan and the Tiger; On Life's Terms: Mothers in Recovery.
Presented by Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture.
Conference website.
Co-chairs: Susan Castagnetto,
Marianne Novy.
Mar. 28, 2012, Mississauga ON -- Children's Bridge information seminar
"How to adopt your child from China, India, Thailand, Jamaica, Florida U.S., Vietnam, HIV+ or domestic".
7-9 p.m., Malton Community Center, 3540 Morning Star Dr. Free.
Steps in the process, home study, costs, time frames, health and ages of the children, pre- and post-adoption services and support.Info:
Anjali Viegas,
Children's Bridge seminars
Apr. 14, 2012, Mississauga ON -- "Adopting a child living with HIV",
Information Evening. 7-9 p.m., Holiday Inn, 2565 Argentia Rd.. Guest speaker, Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik. For prospective families and professionals to learn more about adopting a child living with HIV. Presented by Children's Bridge Seminars. RSVP by Apr. 6 to Karen Bakelaar.
Apr. 14, 2012, Bellingham MA -- 39th annual New England Adoption Conference.
Adoption Community of New England, ACONE
April 19, 26, May 3, Ottawa -- Post Adoption Support Course, "What I can do differently so that my kids will behave differently". 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.,1400 Clyde Ave., #221 (Children's Bridge). To help you have a more positive relationship with your child. $75; $140/couple. Register: Lori Rosove, The Adoption Source, 613-680-0911.
Apr. 26-29, 2012,
Denver CO -- AAC 2012 National Conference, "Mile High Expectations: Adoption in 2012".
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
American Adoption Congress
May 5, 2012, Kingston ON -- "Intricacies of Open Adoption", open adoption workshop. 9:30 been am-4 pm, Travelodge Hotel Lasalle, 2360 Princess St.
Small group discussion with birth and adoptive parents in an open adoption relationship.
$226; $452/couple.
Workshop led by Jennie Painter,
Adoption Resource and Counselling Services, 613-542-0275, 866-255-4855.
May 30, 2012, Ottawa ON -- Adopting a Child Living with HIV, information evening presented by The Children's Bridge adoption consultants.
6:30-8:30 pm, Children's Bridge Office, #221, 1400 Clyde Ave.
Basic facts about HIV. Parenting a child living with HIV. Anti-retroviral treatments. Resources and support groups in Ontario. Including HIV in your homestudy. Open to any families planning to adopt a child living with HIV. Suggested donation $10. RSVP by May 25: Karyn Bakelaar, 613-226-2112, Children's Bridge
June 2, 2012, Oakville ON -- Workshop "The Playbook: Hockey's guide to transracial parenting."
10-noon, Halton Multicultural Council, 1092 Speers Rd.
Workshop exploring how hockey teaches the basics of transracial parenting.
Extended family and friends welcome. $20.
Susan Crawford, 905-220-3920,
Blend Education and Training.
June 9, 2012, Oakville ON -- Transracial Adoption Workshop for Professionals.
8:30 am-4 pm, Quality Suites, 754 Bronte Rd.
Full day training session designed to help in assessing prospective transracial families.
For adoption and foster care professionals working with applicants interested in transracial parenting.
$380, with breakfast, lunch.
Susan Crawford, 905-220-3920,
Blend Education and Training.
June 13, 2012, Ottawa -- "How to adopt your child from Thailand, China Waiting Children Program, Vietnam, India, South Korea and Domestic Adoption". Free information session at The Children's Bridge, 1400 Clyde Ave., #221. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. RSVP: Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112 ext. 6. See Children's Bridge Seminars.
June 14, 21, 28, 2012, Ottawa -- Post-Adoption Parenting Course, "What I can do differently so that my kids behave differently?". Join Lori Rosove in an opportunity to learn how to create and sustain a positive relationship with your child. Understand your child's behaviour and how your responses influence your child. Learn effective parenting approaches. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., 1400 Clyde Ave., #221 (Children's Bridge). $150; $250/couple; +HST. Register: Lori Rosove, The Adoption Source, 613-680-0911.
See also Children's Bridge Events.
June 26, 2012, Toronto -- Children's Bridge information seminar, "How to adopt your Child from China Expedited, China Waiting Children's Program, India, Thailand, Jamaica, Florida USA, Vietnam, HIV+ or Domestic". 7-9 p.m. Agincourt Library, 155 Bonis Ave. Free.
Steps in the process, home study, costs, time frames, health and ages of the children, pre- and post-adoption services and support. Info:
Anjali Viegas,
Children's Bridge seminars.
July 23-28, 2012 -- 2012 China Heritage Summer Tour
for families with children adopted from China. 6-day homeland tour to Beijing, offered by Toronto District School Board with financial support from Qiaoban, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. Children gain first-hand experience of Chinese culture and history, taste the food, visit elementary school, learn Mandarin, and participate in a variety of cultural activities/exchange activities with local children.
$50/person application fee; tour is free; airfare extra.
Jolly Yang, 416-209-7459,
www.chinaheritagecamp.ca.
July 25-28, 2012, Crystal City VA -- 38th annual NACAC Conference.
North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org.
Sept. 23, 2012, Toronto -- FunWalk 2012: Celebrating Adoption. 11-4, Riverdale Park West. Fundraiser to support Adoption Council of Ontario.
Sept. 29, 2012, Ottawa -- AdoptWalk 2012. Register at 10 a.m., Britannia Park. Fundraiser to support partners Adoption Council of Canada and the Children's Bridge Foundation.
Oct. 13, 2012, Toronto -- Bi-annual ACO Education Day. Focus on openness, identity and talking to children about adoption. Keynote speaker: Angela Harvey, WISEUP facilitator and private adoption practitioner.
Adoption Council of Ontario.
Oct. 17, 2012, Ottawa -- Adopting a Child Living with HIV - An Information Evening. 6:30-8:30pm at
The Children's Bridge, #221, 1400 Clyde Ave.
HIV Kids Program Manager, Karyn Bakelaar, (613) 226-8843.
Oct. 19-20, 2012, Toronto -- Adoption Experience 2012. Hilton Garden Inn (Vaughan). Conference to share experiences, resources and support with those separated from a family member by adoption. Also for family and friends, and professionals.
Keynote speakers:
Filmmaker Ann Fessler ("A Girl Like Her");
historian and curator Rickie Solinger on reproductive politics;
Raven Sinclair on the Sixties Scoop;
Mari Steed on the Magdalene Laundries of Ireland;
Peter Dodds on international adoption.
Register: Origins Canada.
Nov. 10, 2012, Kingston ON -- "Intricacies of Open Adoption", open adoption workshop. 9:30 am-4 pm, Travelodge Hotel Lasalle, 2360 Princess St.
Small group discussion with birth and adoptive parents in an open adoption relationship.
$226; $452/couple.
Workshop led by Jennie Painter,
Adoption Resource and Counselling Services, 613-542-0275, 866-255-4855.
2013
Feb. 8-9, 2013, Malibu CA -- Pepperdine University School of Law 10th annual conference: "Intercountry adoption: Orphan rescue or child trafficking?". The complexities of intercountry adoption from legal, social, and religious perspectives. Speakers:
Bert Ballard,
Elizabeth Bartholet,
Naomi Goodno,
Jedd Medefind,
Benyam Mezmur,
Peter Selman, David Smolin.
Nootbaar Institute.
Apr. 20, 2013, Mississauga ON -- "Adopting a child living with HIV",
Information Evening presented by
The Children's Bridge adoption consultants. 7-9 p.m., Holiday Inn, 2565 Argentia Rd. For prospective families to learn more about adopting a child living with HIV. Psycho-social issues such as stigma, discrimination and disclosure. Anti-retroviral treatments including information regarding provincial drug plans and insurance. Resources and support groups in Ontario. Presented by Children's Bridge Seminars. RSVP by Apr. 1 to Karen Bakelaar.
Aug. 7-10, 2013, Toronto -- 39th annual NACAC Conference.
North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org.
