by Ellen G. A touching reflection on one family’s adoption journey – written following their son’s 10th birthday. Authored by an Adoption Connection parent. Some families might come to the decision to adopt as a natural idea that was their first choice and no other options have to be pursued. Others arrive at the adoption threshold … Continued
By Shaun Featherstone Like many first time dads, I am about to celebrate my first Father’s Day — as an actual bone fide adoptive parent. Perhaps unlike many, since I am part of a same sex couple, I will be sharing the day’s honors and adulations with my husband. We joyfully welcomed a gorgeous, goofy … Continued
By Rachel Herndon, MSW Our Family Coalition Night Out Gala Since Adoption Connection is based in San Francisco, we’re lucky to have many opportunities to participate in local events sponsored by LGBTQ organizations. On a recent Friday night in May, Rachel Herndon, Director of Birthparent Services at Adoption Connection attended the 2oth Anniversary Night Out Gala, … Continued
“Am I black?” My seven year old daughter asked me this last summer. We had just returned from our annual week at a social justice-oriented camp run by our faith community and this summer the focus was on the Black Lives Matter movement. The director and counselors are amazing, creating a safe forum where challenging, … Continued
By Tara Noone, MSW When I think of National Adoption Month the word “family” comes to mind. Its definition has changed significantly for me through the years, becoming broader to include relatives gained through biology, marriage, adoption, and friendship. Celebrating the spectrum of family models that exist in our society not only validates them, but … Continued
By Rachel Herndon, LCSW Everything is going smoothly. The birth family and adoptive family are communicating about the birth, ongoing contact, and even baby names! And then suddenly there’s an unintended hiccup, tears are shed by both families, and there is confusion and hurt feelings. Can the adoption be saved? Even in adoptions where there is … Continued
When Drew and Flavio met more than eight years ago, they discovered—to their delight—that one of the interests they shared was in raising a family. “I wanted to find a partner with a child who wanted to have another child,” says Flavio, a Brazilian-born psychologist. Drew, a high-tech executive who had been in an earlier … Continued
Heidi Bonfigli, MA, has been an Adoption Connection caseworker for more than 13 years and is also an an adoptive parent herself. Get to know Heidi as she discusses her experiences working with birth and adoptive families in the agency’s North Bay California counties. What first attracted you to adoption work? Heidi Bonfigli: Adoption … Continued
By Shankari Arcot November is National Adoption Month. Let’s all take a few minutes to educate ourselves better about adoption. Your baby looks just like you!! We know you mean well, but really, we are not as beautiful as our little fellow. He makes our family look beautiful. Where is his real mother?? Seriously, we … Continued
Written by Daniela Hako Although I find this very difficult to write, I understand just how many people making a decision about sharing their child in an open adoption may be helped. Let me please begin by saying that placing a baby for adoption is by no means an easy decision, or something you will … Continued