Adoption Support

supportive adoption partnershipsFinding Adoption Support Groups Online and In Real Life

Adoption is so very isolating. We can often exist in a vacuum and no way of knowing if what we feel is normal, or right” or even to be expected. Meanwhile, everyone on the street is somehow an expert on adoption and their views just don’t jive with what you have going on during any given normal day.

Then there are these major life altering events that happen within the context of adoption”.  We are separated from our families, we search for lost family members, we meet strangers that are family. There is no roadmap, no guidebook and half of the “professional” advice out there is total crap. The best “experts’ on adoption related issues are the people who live with it every day.  No one can do this alone, we need each other.

I went for the first 14 years of my son’s adoption without ever knowingly meeting another women who had also relinquished a child and could understand the feelings. The first time I was in a room talking with another birth mother, I was moved to tears. It’s that powerful.

“The only silver lining to this whole adoption thing, has been the people I have gotten to meet along the way.”

I’m quoting myself because I can’t think of more fitting words. No matter  who you are in the “adoption triad” and what stage of your “adoption journey” you are on, it’s so much better to  walk this path with others who understand. The validation and acknowledgment that we receive from our peers in adoption is often life saving and what can keep us ground, sane.

Specific Areas relating to Adoption Issues found on Musings of the Lame

Online Adoption Support Groups

donate-to-motlThere can be no doubt that computers and the internet have provided a wonderful array of new tools at the hands of the adoption community. It has been the one thing, I believe, that allows people to find ways to come together and bridge that isolating affect. To read another’s words and have them echo in your soul  is minimally validating and sometimes a true lifeline. To just be able to know that others understand your feelings and won’t judge can be vital.

Off Site Online Support

There are groups and forums specifically for adoption.

Also it would be amiss to ignore the vast berth of wisdom and knowledge that has come from the many, many adoption blogs. Great post and great discussions can be found on Adoption blogs.

musings-of-the-lame-on-faceFacebook: Open Groups, Closed Groups and Adoption Discussion Pages

I do think that due to the nature of our culture and the rise of social media, the most active online groups online will be found via Facebook. It seems to be where folks choose to put most of their energy. There are a whole slew of adopting groups and pages on Facebook.  I am sure that this list is just a tip of the iceberg, but it’s a good place to start. The groups are roughly grouped depending on their main focus, but there seems to be something for everyone there!

Please take note, there are always new pages and groups in the comments. I really need to update this list!

Get the Full List of Adoption Support Groups on Facebook

Find Support at Adoption Events

starGet out and mingle with our kind. It’s one of the most liberating things in the world to be among others with whom you can talk adoption and not have to edit or explain. Plus it’s really usually a whole lot of fun!  You get to meet people you know online, you get to see old friends.

Find a local Adoption Event or promote your own adoption happening.

In Person Support Groups Across the USA

commentThe majority of information on this list has been culled from the list curated by the American Adoption Congress, I simplified some of the formatting and made a few additions. While the CUB Adoption Supports are listed in the table, you can go directly to their website as well.

STATEGROUPWEBSITELOCATIONWHENCONTACTPHONEEMAIL
Alabama
Birth Parents/Adult Adoptees GroupBirmingham, ALAudrey Derevenko, LCSW205-943-5343adereven@childrensaid.org
Arizona
Tucson Adoption Reunion Search & SupportTucson, AZ1st Thursday; 6–8 pmJude Guilford, 520-400-8304520-400-8304gogilgoes@yahoo.com
Arizona Adoption CirclePhoenix, AZ2nd Wednesday; 7-9 pmSusan Bennett480-227-3327
ArkansasNONE
California
Cameron Park Triad2nd Tuesday;6:30-8 pmRachel530-558-5336cameronparktriad@pacer-adoption.org
Beth530-677-5658
Oakland Adoptee4th Monday; 7:45-9:45 pmMalcolm510-336-9284ebayadoptee@pacer-adoption.org
Mark510-0207-0142
Triple Hearts Adoption TriangleRiverside, CAGwyn Dixon951-684-4099Gwyn_d_2000@yahoo.com
Bay Area Birthmother's AssociationSan Francisco, CASheila Ganz415-564-3691Sganz1@hotmail.com
Sacramento TriadSanta Monica, CALast Tuesday; 6:30-8:30 pmLinda916-359-6777,sactriad@pacer-adoption.org
Edie916-653-8347
Diane916-442-1812
Marlou Russell, Ph.D.310-829-1438marlourussell@hotmail.com
Sebastopol Triad1st Wednesday; 7-9 pmJerilynn 707-823-7840sonomatriad@pacer-adoption.org
East Bay BirthmothersOrinda, CA3rd Tuesday; 7:30-9:30 pmKathy925/528-9191ebaybirthmom@pacer-adoption.org
Oakland, CARonda Slater510-843-3530
Full Circle Support GroupOrange County, CADelayn Curtis, 714-994-1440
Open Path: Support Group for Waiting ParentsSan Francisco, CA415-788-6772
Search-Finders of California (search and support)San Jose, CA 2nd Thursday, 7:00 p.m.408-356-6711searchfinders@earthlink.net
OC AdopteesOrange County, CAC/O Dan Sandifer
Southern LA County OC AdopteesFullerton, CAFirst Month Each Month562-646-7779
Concerned United Birthparents (CUB)La Mirada, CA4th Saturday; 1pmContact Mimi Janes for address
Colorado
Adoptees in SearchMontview Presbyterian Church 1980 Dahlia St Denver, CO4th Tuesday;7:30 pm303-232-6302
Emotional Support Group Adoptees in SearchMontview Presbyterian Church 1980 Dahlia St Denver, CO2nd Wednesday 7:00pmKathy Mackechney,303-960-6964
CUB Support GroupLutheran Medical Center 8300 West 38th Ave., 2nd Floor Coffee Shop Conference Rm (CSCR) Wheat Ridge, CO3rd Sunday; 1:30 – 3:30 pmFor directions/info call CUB Info Line 303-263-1860
Connecticut
Adoption HealingMilford, CTJane Servadio, 203-874-2023
Adoption Healing Support GroupBrown Program Center 2nd floor Universalist Church, 433 Fern St. West Hartford3rd Thursday every month - 7:00pmMJConklin@aol.com orATPallone@aol.com
DelawareNONE
District of Columbia
(DC Metro CUB) Concerned United BirthparentsChevy Chase, MDLinda Clausen, 202-966-1640dcmetrocub@aol.com
Adoptee-Birthparent Support Network (ABSN)Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DCVolunteer Search / Support Group
Florida
Circle of Hope,Greenacres, FLSondi Hill, 561-967-7079
FL TRIAD Post Adoption Support Group (For: Adult Adoptees, Birth Parents & Adoptive Parents)(near West Palm Beach)
Concerned United Birthparents (CUB) Adoptee & BP Support GroupLakeland, FL4 th Saturday, 12:00 NoonPatty Collings, 863-299-0767
Georgia
Hand in HandLawrenceville, GA3rd FridayDenise Carroll,678 371-7247
Adoption Triad ConnectionAtlanta, GA1 st Tuesday;6:30-8:30 pmLeslie Pate Mackinnon,404-603-5335
GA Adoption Reunion RegistryAtlanta, GA2 nd TuesdayPeggy Rothschild,404-657-3560
Hawaii
Adoption Circle of HawaiiHonolulu, HIJan, 808 989-7071info@kahawaii
The Korean Adoptees of Hawaii (KAHI)Honolulu, HI
Idaho
Search-Finders of Idaho (search and support)Boise, ID1 st Thursday 7:00 pmLois Wight,208-375-9803
Illinois
For Birthmothers By BirthmothersChicago, ILJessie Williams, 312-505-0473
Healing HeartsBloomington, ILMarilyn Strohkirch,309-820-0230
Adoptees, BP & AP Together Wheaton/Naperville3rd ThursdayJody Moran, 630-778-0636
Indiana
Online support group for adopteesSherrie Eldridge317-849-5651All-adoptee@yahoogroups.com
Adoption TriangleSt. Mark's United Methodist Church Rm124th Thursday, 7:00 PMPam Kroskie812-876-9004gus4809@yahoo.com
Bloomington, IN
IowaNONE
Kansas
Adoption Concerns Triangle        Topeka, KS3rd Tuesday, 7:00 PMMarilyn Waugh785-235-6122
Catholic Social ServicesGreat Bend, KS620-792-1393slytle@cpcis.net
Adoption Triad Support Network KCOverland Park, KS3rd Thursday; 7-9:00 PMCarolyn Pooler816-505-0328gapmother@aol.com
Stigma, Inc. (Support for those conceived by rape or incest)Bonner Springs, KS913-441-0372stigma@kc.rr.com
Kentucky
Southland Christian Church Adoptive Families Support GroupLexington, KY859-224-1619tvascassenno@adelphia.net
KY Transracial Adoption Support GroupKtag_leaders@yahoo.com
Louisiana
Independent Searcher/AdvisorKenner, LALinda Woods504-443-1012linrwoods@aol.com
New Orleans ChapterMetaire, LA3rd Tuesday; 7pmChristy Little,504-737-5439ckl03@cox.net
Adoptees Birthrights Committee (ABC) Baton Rouge Chapterhttp://www.adopteesbirthrightscommittee.com/3rd Wednesday; 7pmDelia Pressler225-752-3162
Maine
OBC for ME Triad SupportPortland, MECathy Robishaw207-781-6089cmrcmr@myfairpoint.net
ASCMESouth Portland, MEPeter Jensen207-799-3574pjen@maine.rr.com
Maryland
Concerned United Birthparents (CUB)Chevy Chase, MDLinda Clausen202-966-1640dcmetrocub@aol.com
Social Services Admin Adoption Search, Contact and ReunionBaltimore, MDDepartment of Human Resources1-800-381-3678
The Barker FoundationBethesda, MD3rd Thursday; 7-9:00 pmAbbe Levine301-554-9664alevine@barkerfoundation.org
Adoptiee-Birthparnet Support Network (ABSN)Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DCVolunteer Search/Support Group
Massachusetts
Adoption ConnectionPeabody, MASusan Darke978-532-1261sudarke@aol.com
Adoption Community of New EnglandWesborogh, MA503-366-6812
Adoptive Families Together / MSPCCBoston, MA617-587-1563
Faith Evangelical Free ChurchActon54 Hosmer St.3rd Wednesday; 7:30-9 pmKristy Bouley & Deborah Henderlong
BraintreeThayer Public Library; 798 Washington St2nd Wednesday; 7-8:45 pmJeanne Hardy, Sarah Marcella and Linda Perry
BrooklineBrookline Public Library 361 Washington St 2nd Fl. Brookline, MA4th Monday; 7-8:30 pmMatt Paluszek & Tracy Grondin
Jamaica PlainMSPCC Office @ 157 Green St1st Friday 7-9pmRandi Schalet & Lori Baeumler
RoslindaleRoslindale Congregational Church; 25 Cummins Highway3rd Wednesday; 7-8:30 pmMichelle Novell & Clare O'Donoghue
SwampscottFirst Church @ 40 Monument Ave1st Thursday; 7-8:30 pmKimberly Ryan & Sandi Santanello
WorcesterMSPCC Office @ 335 Chandler St3rd Thursday; 7-9pmDeb Tambeau & Donna Warren
CUB Boston Area ( Sept - May)Plymoth Church ; 87 Edgell Rd3rd Sunday; 2-5 pmKathy Aghajanian Coordinator508-473-4066Kaghajanian@live.com
Michigan
Adopition Identity Movement of MI (AIM)Tina Caudill
Bonding by BloodVassar, MIMary Louise Foess,989-823-4013mlfoess@gmail.com
Adption Identity Movement (AIM) of Grand Rapids5767 Leisure South Dr, Kentwood, MI1st & 3rd Wednesday; 6:30:00 pmPeg Richer616 531-1380
Catholic Social Services    Ann Arbor, MI1st Wednesday; 6:30 PM  Elly Falit734-971-9781
Makeing Peace with the PastClinton-Macomb Public Library2nd Wednesday; 7pm
Truths in the Adoption TriadLunch on SundaysMarilyn Phillips Jackson989 977-0025
Minnesota
CUB-Concerned United Birthparents (birthparents, adoptees and adoptive parents welcome)St. Louis Park Recreational Center, Community Room1st Wednesday; 7pmSandy Sperazza952-924-2540
Montevideo Adult Adoptee Support GroupMontevideo Public LibraryMonthlyCarleen Helgeson320-226-5793
First Nations Rpatriation InstituteAll Nations Indian Church1st Thursday; 6-9pmSandra White Hawk651-442-4872
Duluth Adoptee Support Group (adults)Pilgrim Congregational Church1st Wednesday; 7pmMichele Benson218-525-3678
Adopted and Fostered Adults of the African Diaspora (AFAAD MN)Rotates among member's homes and community locationsMonthly alternating between Saturday evenings and weekdaysMichelle Johnson651-341-9636
MN ADOPT High School Adoption Group (adoptees)https://www.mnadopt.org/Minnetonka High School, Hwy 7Rotating Class periodsPenelope Needham
MN ADOPT Middle School Adoption Group (adpoptees)https://www.mnadopt.org/Minetonka Middle School, Minnetonka,MNRotating Class PeriodsPenelope Needham
Adult Adoptees of Central MinnesotaSt. Cloud Public Library, Array Room, 405 Germain St. West, St. CloudContact for updated informationNikki Knisley
Reuniting MnnesotaEMAIL SUPPORT GROUPreunitingminnesota@yahoo.com
Adoptees MN (adults)777 Raymond Ave St. Paul, MN 551142nd Saturday; 9:15 - 11amCarrie -651-457-2252
Penny -612-616-3139adopteesmn@gmail.com
MississippiNONE
Missouri
Adoption Triad Support Network KChttp://adoptiontriadsupportnetworkkc.com/Liberty, MO1st Thursday; 7-9:00pmCarolyn Pooler816-505-0328gapmother@aol.com
Adoption Triad Support Network KCIndependence, MO2nd Thursday; 7-9:00 PM
Adoption Triad Support NetworkJudy Bockatcmidmo@socket.net
Adoption Triad of the OzarksSpringfield, MOSharon Fieker417-840-8492sfieker@ichoosethisday.org
Montana
Adoption Constellation Support GroupMisssoula, MTBeth Jaffee406-880-3052
Nebraska
La Vista, NELinda Willson402-537-4387cyrillawillson@aol.com
Omaha, NESandy Rolles402-397-6394sandyrolls@cox.net
Adoption Triad MidwestOmaha, NEElaine Holdren402-334-9159monecho@aol.com
Adoption CircleGrand Island, NESheri Jelinek308-381-0347sjelinek@kdsi.net
Adoption CircleNebraska Children’s Home Society,  Lincoln, NEBetty Wilson402-483-7879bwilson@nchs.org
Adoption CircleOmaha Nebraska CHSKathy Hoyt or Becky Crofoot402-451-0787
Catholic CharitiesSue Malloy or Wendy Spetman402-554-0520
NevadaNONE
New Hampshire
American Adoption CongressNashua, NHPaul Schibbelhute,603-880-7790pschibbe@aol.com
Birthmothers of New Hampshirehttp://www.birthmothersofnh.com/Wentworth Douglas Hospital Dover, NHMondays; 5-7pmTracy Pond603-988-2233
New Jersey
Morristown Post-Adoption Support Group1st Saturday; 1-5pmGinny Bayard, 973-884-0120Ginny_bay@yahoo.com
Judy Foster973-455-1268Jfoster7@optonline.net
Pat Fox,973-998-0967Patfox1@aol.com
Jane Nast, 973-267-8698janenast@aol.com
Birth Parent Support GroupChildren’s Aid and Family Services, Ridgewood, NJShea Campbell,201-226-0300, ext. 301scampbell@cafsnj.org
Adoptee/Birth Parent Support Group Of Central NJHillsborourgh, NJRandie Zimmerman609-510-7504
CHATS Triad Support GroupNorth Plainfield, NJJoAnn Hoppe908-561-9654chatsnj@comcast.net
Concerned Persons for AdoptionWhippany, NJPat Bennett908-273-5694Paben48@comcast.net
Full Circle Triad Post-Adoption Support Group of No. JerseyParamus, NJCindi Addesso973-427-4521
NJ Adoption Resource Clearing House (NJARCH)http://www.njarch.org/877-427-2465warmline@njarch.org
Spanish:lalineacalurosa@njarch.org
Pamela Slatonhttp://www.pamelaobr.com/Lumberton, NJ(one-on-one support;NY expertise)609-702-7535pamelaobr@aol.com
New Mexico
Operation IdentityAlbuqerque. NM4th Thursday; 7-9 pmConnie Martin505-281-7227crmarti@swcp.com
Adoption Support Group of Santa Fehttp://www.asgsf.org/Santa Fe, NM1st Monday; 6 pmRanda Phillips505-466-3839
New York
Adoption Group in the Village NYCNew York, NYFirst Sunday, 2-4pmSusan McQuirk,646-303-8343
Carol Schaefer,917 743-4118
Adoption Crossroadshttp://www.adoptionhealing.com/NYC and Congers, NYJoe Soll845-268-0283
Manhattan Birth Parents GroupNew York, NY3rd Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m.Tony Dupree212-544-7487
Genesee Valley Monthly Search Group Rochester NY1st Wednesday 7p.m. - 9p.m.Jeff Hancock
North Carolina
Adoption Triad Dialogue Support GroupGreensboro, NC2nd Tuesday; 7-8:30pmFrancie Portnoyfportnoy@bellsouth.net
North Dakota
Lutheran Social Services of NDFargo, ND701-235-7341
Ohio
Adoption Network Clevelandhttp://www.adoptionnetwork.org/Cleveland, OHLinda Bellini, Direct Line -216 482-2323
Office number -216 325-1000
Ohio Birth Parent Discussion GroupColumbus, OH3rd SundayKate Livingston614-668-7390ohiobirthparents@gmail.com
Ohio Birth Parent Group (Cincinnati Branch)Cincinnati, OH3rd SaturdayKate Livingston614-668-7390ohiobirthparents@gmail.com
Oklahoma
OK Post-Adoption SupportTulsa, OKFirst Saturday; 2pmSamantha Franklin918-697-2002Sfranklin568@yahoo.com
Oregon
Adoption MosaicPortland, OR1st & 3rd Tuesday;6:15-8pmNina Yates503-752-9982
CUBPortland, ORCoco Brush503-477-9974cocobrush@yahoo.com
Pennsylvania
Adoption Education & Family CounselingDoylestown, PARobert Allen Hafetz267-337-4548
PA Adoption ConnectionCanonsburg, PA(email support only)Sherel Kissell724-743-1992
PA Adoption ConnectionFort Hill, PA(Online Support Only)Glenda Shay814-395-3938
Rhode Island
RI Adoptee Resource Grouphttp://riadopteeresourcegro.wix.com/riargCranston, RI 3rd Thursday of  every monthJohn Greene
South Carolina
Adoption Search for LifeAnderson, SCCynthia Walters864-287-4328
South Dakota
Parents of Adopted ChildrenParkston, SD605-928-3955
DSS Child Protection ServicesSioux Falls, SDFamily Support Online605-335-2776
Lutheran Social Services of South DakotaDiane PillarSW 1-888-201-5061 x2413
Dede MogckSW 1-888-201-5061 x 2351
Parents of Adopted ChildrenTwin Brooks, SD605-432-7887; 605-782-0782
SD Support, Education & Adoption LegislationLynne Banks605-759-8478
Tennessee
Adoption Support and Preservation(support for adoptive families)1-888-848-2727
Birthparent Support Groupc/o Miriam’s Promise, Nashville, TN2nd Tuesday;6-8pm615-292-3500annebyrnf@miriamspromise.org
Texas
DFW Triad Support GroupDallas, TX2nd Saturday; 1pmCarol DeMuth972-414-3639dfwtriad@yahoo.com
Tapestry Birthmother Support GroupIrving Bible Church, 2435 Kinwest Parkway - Irving, TX1st Tuesday, 7pmCarolyn Halliburton,972-315-9628tapestry@irvingbible.org
Associated Catholic CharitiesHouston, TXLillian Salinas713-526-4611
Roots and Missing LinksCoppell, TXGlenda Allen,972-471-0744 / 214-282-3809glendalpi@aol.com
Adoption Knowledge AffiliatesWestover Hills Church, 8332 Mesa, Austin, TX3rd Monday;7pmaka@adoptionknowledge.org
Utah
Birthmother/Adoptee Support GroupSalt Lake City, UTDonnie Davis801-583-6664Pdj27@aol.com
VermontNONE
Virginia
Metro Reunion Registryhttp://metroreunionregistry.org/Alexandria, VA(an international registry)Metro.reunionregistry@verizon.net
Adoptee-Birth Parent Support Networkhttp://adopteebirthparentsupportnetwork.org/Alexandria, VA (For Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DC)(For Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DC)301-442-9106ABSNmail@verizon.net
Coordinators2incRichmond, VA3rd Tuesday, 6:3pmRebecca Ricardo804-354-1881
Washington
WA Adoption Reunion Movement (WARM)http://warmsearch.org/Seattle, WA1st Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.206-767-9510
Puyallup, WA3rd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
A Loving JourneyFederal Way, WATreina Stauffer253-874-1546alovingjourney@aol.com
Scattered RootsOlympia, WAJodi McBride, 360-357-6681
SW Washington Adoption SupportVancouver, WA1st WednesdayDarlene Wilson360-256-8795wasearcher@msn.com
Three Roots Triad GroupSeattle, WA2nd Wednesday, 7pmRachel Stumme206-371-7573
West VirginiaNONE