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   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. Belleville ON -- Adoption Support Group.   Second Thursday. 363 Dundas St. W., through Hastings CAS. Marie Ann Lammers, 613-398-7509. 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. Toronto -- Families in Adoption. Last Sunday of the month, Jan., Mar, May, Sept., Nov.; picnic in July. Support group meeting for local and international adopters. Informal discussions for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents. Activity programs for children (infant through school age). Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Dr., east of Mt. Pleasant. Pat Fenton, 416-964-0042. Toronto, London, Alliston -- "How to Adopt" seminars.   Twice a month. Dates and locations at www.adoptontario.ca/news.aspx. Adoptive parents and professionals discuss options, costs, homestudies for local or international adoption. $85/family. In Toronto: Church of Saint Timothy, 100 Old Orchard Grove In London: Westmount Public Library, 3200 Wonderland Rd. S. In Alliston: Gibson Centre for Community Arts, 63 Tupper St. W. Patricia Convery, Adoption Council of Ontario, 416-482-0021, www.adoption.on.ca Burlington ON -- Belonging. Last Monday. Compass Point Bible Church, 2501 Eaglesfield Dr. For adoptive parents. Janice McDonald, Burlington, 905-332-9469. -- 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. 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. 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. First Thursday of the month (except July, Aug.). For singles and couples at all stages of adoption. Kate MacLellan, Open Door Society of Ottawa, 613-749-6315. 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.   SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2008 June 6-8, 2008, Haliburton, Ont. -- "A Celebration of You" adoption camp at Camp Wanakita. Workshops for kids and parents on adoption issues plus fun camp stuff. For all adoptees. Angela Smedema, Coordinator, Pre and Post Adoption Services, 905-877-5359, Children's Bridge. June 8, 2008, Stouffville ON -- C.H.O.C. 2008 Gala Reunion Picnic. 11 am-2 pm, Bruce's Mill Conservation Area. Food, drinks, clowns and games. Caring Homes for Orphan Children, intercountry adoption agency, 416-630-2472, info@chocadoption.com, www.chocadoption.com July 2008, China -- China Heritage Tour for Families with Children Adopted from China, offered by the Toronto District School Board Continuing Education Department, in partnership with Qiaoban [China Overseas Exchange Association] in China. 13-day program for students and families to connect with the culture, language and history of China. Visits to Shanghai, Kunming, Lijian, Guangzhou, Xian and Chengdu. Families pay for air fare and a program fee. Expenses subsidized by Qiaoban. Jolly Yang, Toronto District School Board, jolly.yang@tdsb.on.ca July 18-20, 2008, Chicago -- 2008 KAAN 10th annual Conference, "Celebrating Ten Years of Community Building. Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network, www.kaanet.com July 31-Aug. 2, 2008, Ottawa -- 2008 NACAC Conference. NACAC's 34th annual conference. Westin Ottawa. North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org Oct. 18, 2008, Toronto -- Seminar on Talking to Children about Adoption. Learn ways to empower children (adoptees) to answer questions about adoption. As well, learn how to respond to the questions of children of family and friends, including neighbours and classmates. 1:30-4:30 pm. $70. Sofie Stergianis, Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003, www.adoptioneducation.ca SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2009 Aug. 12-15, 2009, Columbus OH -- 2009 NACAC Conference. NACAC's 35th annual conference. Hyatt Regency Columbus. North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org To list your event for free, email Robin Hilborn, helper@familyhelper.net Past Events in Adoption [Archived events] 2007 Apr. 1, 2007, Halifax -- Kids Like Me! An Adoption Workshop for School-Age Children. Register by Mar. 23. Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, Children's Bridge Apr. 11-14, 2007, San Antonio, TX -- JCICS 2007 Annual Conference and Medical Institute, "Building Bridges for Children: Navigating the Waters of Change in Intercountry Adoption". Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel. Joint Council on International Children's Services Apr. 14, 2007, Toronto -- "Let's Talk About Adoption", Ontario Adoption Conference, by Adoption Council of Ontario. Held twice a year as part of the Adoption Resource Exchange Parents' Weekend. 8-5, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Donna Spalding, Jan Silverman, Susan O'Quinn, Kim Stevens, Leceta and Kahleah Guibault, Maureen Jones, Valerie Petroff. For adoptive and pre-adoptive parents, professionals and others. Choice of workshops; panel discussion and refreshments. Adoption agency displays and books for sale; display table by Family Helper: meet Robin and Heather. $100; $110 after Apr. 6. Pat Fenton, ACO, 416-482-0021,www.adoption.on.ca Apr. 15, 2007, 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. Also at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 9-5. Free. Apr. 15, 2007, Ottawa -- Kids Like Me! An Adoption Workshop for School-Age Children. Register by Apr. 6. Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, Children's Bridge Apr. 16-21, 2007, Portland OR -- 16th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, "Protecting Children, Promoting Healthy Families, and Preserving Communities". Oregon Convention Center. Children¹s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.childwelfare.gov/calendar/cbconference Apr. 21, 2007, Toronto -- Intricacies of Open Adoption Relationships. One-day workshop for birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees. Understanding birth parents; building an open adoption; birth parent letters and profiles. 9:30-4 pm., Metro Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St. $350+tax. Jennie E. Painter, Adoption Resource and Counselling Services, 613-542-0275, www.openadoption.ca Apr. 21-22, 2007, Mississauga ON -- AdopTALK - Two-Day Adoption Parenting Workshop. 9:30-4:30, Holiday Inn Select. $125/CB member; $160/non-member. Donna Paonessa, 905-303-2557, Children's Bridge April 28, 2007, Milford MA -- 34th Annual New England Adoption Conference. Also: April 27, 13th Annual Training Day for Professionals. Joan Clark, Adoption Community of New England, jclark@odsacone.org, odsacone.org. View 2006 brochure May 6, 2007, Kingston ON -- Children's Bridge hosts an Information Session on international adoption and the process for China, India and Kazakhstan. 6-8 pm, Holiday Inn, 2 Princess St.; free. Register: Heidi, hucklow@sympatico.ca May 9, 2007, Ottawa -- Children's BridgeFamilies In Waiting Pot Luck Get Together. 5:30-7 pm, 1400 Clyde Ave., #221. RSVP: Cathy Murphy by May 8: 613-226-2112, cathymurphy@childrensbridge.com. Children's Bridge event May 10-12, 2007, Albany, NY -- New York State Citizens' Coalition for Children -- 18th annual statewide adoption conference, "Adoption 2007: Making Dreams Come True". Marriott Hotel. NYSCCC, office@nysccc.org, www.nysccc.org May 15, 2007, Regina -- Wise-Up Parenting workshop. 7 pm, Albert Library. Parenting program to help children who are adopted and their parents deal with questions around adoption. $35/couple (book included). Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan, 1-866-869-2727, 306-665-7272, support@adoptionsask.org, adoptionsask.org/adoption May 15-28, 2007, South Korea -- Korea Motherland Tour. Pay air only, $1,290; all other expenses paid. John Lim, Korean Cultural Centre, 1133 Leslie St. N., Toronto, 416-252-7415, office 905-271-2667, johnlimsk@hotmail.com May 21-24, 2007, The Hague/Amsterdam, Netherlands -- 3rd Annual World Conference on Children Without Parental Care. For government decision-makers, NGOs, researchers. Workshops on Reforms in Child Welfare Policies, Reunification and Child Soldiers, Foster care and Kinship care, Adoption, Residential/Institutional care. 875 Euros. International Advocates for Children, www.iachildren.com May 26, 2007, Mississauga -- Children's Bridge presents Barbara Coloroso on "The Bully, The Bullied and The Bystander". 1-4:30 pm, Holiday Inn Select, Trudeau Room, 2565 Argentia Rd., $50 (members of Children's Bridge); $60 (non-members). Donna Paonessa, 905-303-2557, donnapaonessa@childrensbridge.com. Children's Bridge event May 27, 2007, Ottawa -- Children's Bridge presents Barbara Coloroso on "The Bully, The Bullied and The Bystander". 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Royal Ottawa Hospital Auditorium, Carling Ave. $50 (members of Children's Bridge); $60 (non-members). Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, cathymurphy@childrensbridge.com. Children's Bridge event June 2, 2007, Toronto -- One-day International Adoption Seminar. Prepare for adoption; medical issues; attachment; talking about adoption with your child; mixed race adoptions. Videos, presentations, hand-outs, breakfast, lunch. $215; $350/couple; +tax. Sofie Stergianis, International Adoption Centre, 416-483-0003, www.whatisadoption.com June 10, 2007, Stouffville ON -- CHOC agency, annual reunion picnic. 11 am-2 pm, Bruce's Mill Conservation Area. Caring Homes for Orphan Children, intercountry adoption agency, 416-630-2472, info@chocadoption.com, www.chocadoption.com June 21-24, 2007, Chicago -- Loving Decision Conference 2007. Roosevelt University. Bringing together interracial couples, multiracial individuals, transracial adoptees, policy makers and educators. Jungmiwha Bullock, Association of MultiEthnic Americans, coordinators@lovingconference.com, www.lovingconference.com June 23, 2007, Kingston ON -- Intricacies of Open Adoption Relationships. One-day workshop for birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees. Understanding birth parents; building an open adoption; birth parent letters and profiles. 9:30-4 pm., Seniors Assn., 56 Francis St. $350+tax. Jennie E. Painter, Adoption Resource and Counselling Services, 613-542-0275, jennie@openadoption.ca, www.openadoption.ca July 2-6, 2007, Loma Mar, CA -- Pact Family Camp 2007. For adoptive families with children of color to share, learn and play together. Redwood Glen Camp and Conference Center. Beth Hall, Pact: An Adoption Alliance, Oakland CA, info@pactadopt.org, www.pactadopt.org. July 25-28, 2007, Tampa FL -- 2007 NACAC Conference. Tampa Marriott Waterside. NACAC's 33rd annual conference. North American Council on Adoptable Children, info@nacac.org, www.nacac.org Aug. 1-4, 2007, Excelsior Springs MO -- Attachment Disorder Network's 2007 National Conference: "Parenting Traumatized Children". The Elms Resort. Information and practical tools for both adoptive parents and therapists/adoption professionals to use when working with traumatized children. Attachment therapy, therapeutic parenting techniques, sensory integration dysfunction. Julie Beem, ADN, Marietta GA, www.radzebra.org Aug. 24-26, 2007, Queensville ON -- 5th Korean Summer Heritage Camp. Regina Mundi (Sister's Convent), 19309 Warden Ave. Opportunity to meet other adoptive families with Korean children and volunteers from the Korean community; learn about our children's homeland. John Lim, Korean Canadian Children's Assn., 416-252-7415, johnlimsk@hotmail.com Aug. 24-26, 2007, Toronto -- Korean Adoptee Canada Gathering. Adult Korean-Canadian adoptees meet for a weekend of fun and networking. Friday evening at a Toronto restaurant; Saturday, a day of fun at the Korean Canadian Children's Association's Summer Heritage Camp in Queensville; Sunday brunch and discussion about future direction. Over a thousand Korean children were placed with Canadian families in the 70s and 80s, primarily in Ontario and Quebec. Organizers would like to contact Korean-Canadian adult adoptees in all provinces. Hilary Hahn, Michelle Fallesen, co-chairs, Korean Adoptee Canada, koreanadoptee.canada@gmail.com Sept. 29, 2007, Toronto -- One-day International Adoption Seminar. Prepare for adoption; medical issues; attachment; talking about adoption with your child; mixed race adoptions. Videos, presentations, hand-outs, breakfast, lunch. $215; $350/couple; +tax. Sofie Stergianis, International Adoption Centre, 416-483-0003, www.whatisadoption.com Oct. 10-13, 2007, Providence RI -- 19th Annual ATTACh Conference, "Attaching in an Unattached World: Creating Caring Connections". Assn. for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children, Lake Villa IL, 866-453-8224, questions@attach.org, www.attach.org/2007conference.htm Oct. 11-14, 2007, Pittsburgh -- 2nd International Conference on Adoption and Culture. "Encountering New Worlds of Adoption." University of Pittsburgh. Susan Bordo, Emily Prager, Dorothy Roberts. Canadians presenting workshops: Sara Dorow, University of Alberta; Karen Balcom, McMaster; Karen Dubinsky, Queen's; Cindy L. Baldassi, UBC; Jessaca Leinaweaver, University of Manitoba; Jeff Leinaweaver, Fielding Graduate Institute. Alliance for the Study of Adoption, Identity, and Kinship, Marianne Novy, mnovy@pitt.edu. www.english.pitt.edu/events/adoptionandculture Oct. 13-14, 2007, Moncton NB -- AdopTALK - Two-Day Adoption Parenting Workshop, by Children's Bridge. To register, contact the Director of Adoption Services, Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, or download a flyer from Children's Bridge - AdopTalk Dates. Oct. 15-16, 2007, Arlington VA -- Adoption Ethics and Accountability conference. At the Marriott Crystal Gateway. Ethical issues such as birth family rights, sibling relationships, transracial adoption, pre- and post-adoption services, access to identifying and non-identifying information. $275, early registration. Ethica and the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, www.ethicsconference.net Oct. 20, 2007, Toronto -- "Empowerment and Diversity in Adoption", Ontario Adoption Conference, by Adoption Council of Ontario. Held in conjunction with the Adoption Resource Exchange on Oct. 21. 8-5, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 225 Front St. W. For adoptive and pre-adoptive parents, professionals and others. Choice of workshops; panel discussion and refreshments. Adoption agency displays and books for sale; display table by Family Helper: meet Robin and Cristopher. Pat Fenton, ACO, 416-482-0021, www.adoption.on.ca Oct. 21, 2007, 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. Also at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 9-5. Free. Nov. 3, 2007, Toronto -- One-day International Adoption Seminar. Prepare for adoption; medical issues; attachment; talking about adoption with your child; mixed race adoptions. Videos, presentations, hand-outs, breakfast, lunch. $215; $350/couple; +tax. Sofie Stergianis, International Adoption Centre, 416-483-0003, www.whatisadoption.com Nov. 3, 2007, Piscataway NJ -- 26th Annual Conference, "Let's Talk Adoption". Rutgers University. Concerned Persons for Adoption, www.cpfanj.org Nov. 3-4, 2007, Calgary -- AdopTALK - Two-Day Adoption Parenting Workshop, by Children's Bridge. To register, contact the Director of Adoption Services, Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, or download a flyer from Children's Bridge - AdopTalk Dates. Nov. 4, 2007, Palatine IL -- 14th Annual Midwest Adoption Conference. Harper College. Sponsored by Adoptive Families Today, Stars of David, Families with Children from China (adoption support groups). Kathy Casey, Adoptive Families Today, Barrington IL, www.adoptivefamiliestoday.org Nov. 10-11, 2007, Mississauga ON -- AdopTALK - Two-Day Adoption Parenting Workshop, by Children's Bridge. To register, contact Donna Paonessa, 905-303-2557, or download a flyer from Children's Bridge - AdopTalk Dates. Nov. 15, 2007, Fredericton NB -- Evening with author Dr. Donna Gillis Spalding. 6:30 pm, Kingswood Lodge, 31 Kingswood Park. Among the first in Canada to raise an interracial family, Dr. Spalding shows how interesting, funny and loving a non-traditional family can be, and that family is more important than race or culture. To reserve: Susann McFadzen, 506-457-1866, Susann McFadzen Nov. 18, 2007, Ottawa -- Behavioural Issues and Parenting Outside the Comfort Zone, by international speaker and bestselling author Dee Paddock. 1-5 pm, Royal Ottawa Hospital Auditorium, 1145 Carling Ave. $40 members, $50 non-members. Children's Bridge registration flyer from Children's Bridge or contact Jill Reeves, thereeves@rogers.com Nov. 23-34, 2007, Coquitlam BC -- "Celebrating Family" Adoption Conference. Adoption professionals and child welfare thinkers speak on attachment, the goals of life, permanence, coping with loss, FASD, openness, lifebooks. Executive Plaza Hotel, 504 North Road. Non-members, 1 day $90; two days $125. Adoptive Families Assn. of British Columbia Nov. 24-25, 2007, London ON -- AdopTALK - Two-Day Adoption Parenting Workshop, by Children's Bridge. To register, contact Angela Smedema, 905-877-5359, or download a flyer from Children's Bridge - AdopTalk Dates. Dec. 10-12, 2007, New Orleans -- CWLA National Adoption and Foster Care Training Conference, "Shared Beliefs, Shared Values: Achieving Excellence in Adoption and Foster Care". New Orleans Marriott. Ada White, Child Welfare League of America Feb. 23, 2008, Toronto -- One-day International Adoption Seminar. Prepare for adoption; medical issues; attachment; talking about adoption with your child; mixed race adoptions. Videos, presentations, hand-outs, breakfast, lunch. $215; $350/couple; +tax. Sofie Stergianis, Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003, www.adoptioneducation.ca Mar. 1, 2008, Toronto -- Seminar for Extended Family and Friends of Adopting Applicants. Topics include: Positive adoption language; How to answer questions; Adjustments of internationally adopted children; Understanding open adoption relationships; Loss and the older child; What the growing child understands of adoption. 1:30-4 pm. $40. Sofie Stergianis, Adoption Resources, 416-483-0003, www.adoptioneducation.ca Mar. 26-29, 2008, Portland OR -- "Adoption in the Global Community: Redefining Kinship in the 21st Century." 29th annual conference, American Adoption Congress. Workshops on families created with donor or surrogate parents and by adoption, having issues of loss of family continuity from the family of origin. Sharon Roszia, David Brodzinsky, Monica Byrne, Michael Grand, Karen Lynn, Wendy Rowney. AAC, www.americanadoptioncongress.org Mar. 28, 2008, Fredericton NB -- Information session on how to adopt your child internationally. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Susann McFadzen, 506-457-1866, Children's Bridge. Mar. 29-30, 2008, Fredericton NB -- AdopTALK - Two-Day Adoption Parenting Workshop, by Children's Bridge, for families adopting internationally. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. To register, contact the Director of Adoption Services, Cathy Murphy, 613-226-2112, or download a flyer from Children's Bridge - AdopTalk Dates. Mar. 30, 2008, Fredericton NB -- Interracial Issues. 9:30 - 11:30 am. Adult adoptee speaker -- session for adults only. Susann McFadzen, 506-457-1866, Children's Bridge. Apr. 5, 2008, Toronto -- "The Faces and Phases of Adoption", Ontario Adoption Conference, by Adoption Council of Ontario. Held in conjunction with the Adoption Resource Exchange on Apr. 6. 8-5, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 225 Front St. W. For adoptive and pre-adoptive parents, professionals and others. Choice of workshops; panel discussion and refreshments. Adoption agency displays; books for sale; Family Helper display. Pat Convery, ACO, 416-482-0021, www.adoption.on.ca Apr. 6, 2008, 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. Also at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 9-5, 416-585-8000. Free. Apr. 9-12, 2008, Washington, DC -- Joint Council 2008 Medical Institute and Annual Conference. Holiday Inn on the Hill. JCICS, www.jcics.org/AC2008_CallForPresentations.htm May 5, 2008, Saskatoon -- Growing Attachments Conference with attachment expert Deborah Gray, author of Nurturing Adoptions. Attachment for children of adoption and foster care. Hilton Garden Inn. Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan, 1-866-869-2727, 306-665-7272, support@adoptionsask.org, www.adoptionsask.org

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