The Hub (December 2024)
Director's Corner
Dear friends,
As we close out another impactful year at Adoption Network Cleveland, I am filled with gratitude for the meaningful moments we've shared and the continued growth of our community.
Last month, we came together for our Annual Meeting, a time to celebrate our shared mission and reflect on the impact we've made together. It was a joy to honor our Advocate and Volunteer of the Year, recognize our outgoing board members, and welcome new voices to our Board of Directors. These dedicated individuals bring fresh perspectives and a commitment to guiding our mission forward. Keep reading to learn more about our new board members and the unique talents they bring to our team!
I'm also thrilled to share some exciting news as we head into the holiday season! We've launched an online shop featuring Adoption Network Cleveland apparel, stickers, and other items. Whether you're looking for a gift for a loved one or want to showcase your support, these items are a wonderful way to celebrate our shared connection. Every purchase directly supports our work, helping us continue to provide programs and resources for all members of the adoption and foster care community.
December is also a time for giving, and your generosity makes a world of difference. As we approach Giving Tuesday and the end of the year, I invite you to consider a gift?to Adoption Network Cleveland. Your contributions enable us to create life-changing opportunities for adoptees, birth parents, adoptive families, and kinship caregivers. Together, we can ensure that no one walks this journey alone.?
Thank you for being part of this vibrant and compassionate community. Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season and a bright start to the New Year.
In the spirit of connection,?
Betsie Norris
P.S. Exciting plans are underway for our Journeys of Discovery Conference! Stay tuned for updates on registration and details about the wide range of workshops being offered.
On the Blog
Meet our Newest Board Members
by Adoption Network Cleveland
In November, Adoption Network Cleveland's board welcomed five new board members: Denise Astorino, Tashyana Copeland, Cory Isler-Manzo, Nikki Lewis, and Andrew Mangels. Join us in congratulating and welcoming these mission-centered, professionally diverse, and ready-to-serve individuals!?
Passionate Volunteers + Patience = Lasting Change. Join our public policy advocacy efforts to make change.?
by Tammy Willet
Adoption Network Cleveland needs YOU to become part of our public policy advocacy efforts! We are bringing together like-minded people to advocate and be a voice for individuals who have a connection and are impacted by adoption, foster care, kinship care, DNA discoveries, and donor conception. Let us know how you would like to contribute in the coming year by completing a quick survey so we can reach out on the issues you care about most!
Expand your knowledge, feed your soul, and engage in meaningful conversations with vibrant speakers by attending a virtual Monday Evening Speaker Series event.
Monday, December 2, 2024
8:00 - 9:00 PM ET
DNA Decoded: Harnessing Epigenetic Testing to Empower Members of the Adoption Constellation and Revolutionize Tools for Behavioral Wellness with Dr. Evelyn Higgins
While genes play a 10-33% role in physical health, they can play up to a 50% role in mental health. For those in the DCP, NPE, and adoption communities, being separated from lineage can present challenges when it comes to understanding the biology behind behavioral wellness. Join Dr. Higgins, founder of Wired BioHealth and member of the adoption constellation, to learn more about how genes and other biomarkers can be tested and turned off/on through epigenetics to help individuals live their most optimal lives. Read more about Evelyn here.??
Monday, December 16, 2024
8:00 - 9:00 PM ET
An International Adoptee's Perspective: Navigating Adoptee and Immigrant Identity?with Svetlana Sandoval
Svetlana Sandoval is an International Adoptee from Russia. She was adopted to the U.S. during the peak wave of international adoptions in the late 90s. Svetlana will share her experience of growing up as an international adoptee, and how her understanding of adoption evolved throughout her teens and young adulthood. Svetlana is in reunion with her birth mother and birth family in Russia, and will share the complexities of navigating a virtual reunion across language and cultural barriers. She will also share how misinformation from her adoption agency left her unaware of her native citizenship status and how dual citizenship has brought additional complexities to traveling to meet her family in person. Svetlana has spent the last two years reclaiming her immigrant identity and will share about her immigrant community experiences and choice to reclaim her original name. Svetlana is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and will share how her adoptee and immigrant identities have informed her academic path to support international adoptees on their journeys. Read more about Svetlana here.
General Discussion Meetings & Support Groups
General Discussion Meetings and Support Groups are held on Zoom, unless specified otherwise. These gatherings provide a safe place where people can share their feelings and experiences, get support from their peers, and learn from others’ perspectives. The meetings have an open discussion format and are attended by anyone with a connection to adoption or foster care, including adult adoptees, birth parents, siblings, adoptive parents, those who have experienced foster or kinship care, or DNA discoveries such as misattributed parentage or donor conception. Professionals are also welcome to come and learn from the shared perspectives of the constellation members. General Discussion Meetings are held on all but the fifth Thursdays (which occurs in January, May, July, and October of 2025).
Monday, December 9, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 PM ET
In-Person Special Topic: Empty Seat at the Table facilitated by Amy and Kim
Want to come to a General Discussion Meeting in person? Our in-person meeting, which is now held quarterly, is scheduled for December 9th! Please join us as we discuss adoption-related challenges that arise during the holidays. How do we manage split loyalties, celebrations with two families following reunion, or the figurative "empty seat at the table" held for grief, loss, longing and unanswered questions?
Family Programs & Events
Saturday, December 7, 2024
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET
Adoption 101: Where Do I Begin?
Considering becoming a parent or expanding a family through adoption can be both exciting and overwhelming. There is so much information available about adoption that people often ask, "Where do I begin?" Adoption 101 is a workshop intended for people looking into adoption for the first time.
Program covers: types of adoption; adoption providers, three roads to adoption—public, waiting child adoption; private, domestic infant adoption; international adoption; financial considerations; adoptive parent panel; adoption is a lifelong journey; questions and answers; and ethics.?
The workshop is designed to help prospective adoptive parents prepare, build confidence, and make a decision about the best route for their adoption journey. Adoption Network Cleveland is a neutral source of information, as we are not an adoption agency facilitating any adoptions.?
Saturday, December 14, 2024
2:00 - 4:00 PM ET
Holiday Cookie Party
Join us in person at Pilgrim UCC (2592 West 14th St. Cleveland, OH 44113). We are excited to welcome families for a festive cookie-decorating party! Simply bring a container to take home your confectionary masterpieces or memorable mistakes of sprinkling sugars and icing. Adoption Network Cleveland will provide cookies, frosting, and sprinkles. Registration is required to help us best prepare for you and yours.?
Monday, December 16, 2024
6:30 - 8:00 PM ET
NAMI Family Support Group
In partnership with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), this Family Support Group is peer-led and intended for families and loved ones of children (18 and under) who are experiencing behavioral or mental health symptoms. This group is open to ALL regardless of connection to adoption.?
This group encourages empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community. You’ll benefit from others’ experiences, discover your inner strength, and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space. Please join us virtually via Zoom?on the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30-8 PM.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
7:00 - 8:00 PM ET
Transracial Adoptive Parent Support Group
Join us this month as we discuss "Reflections: Making and Breaking Traditions."
Adoption Network Cleveland and Transracial Journeys have joined forces holding a series of co-hosted monthly support groups for parents who have adopted children outside of their own race. This group provides an intentionally structured and supportive space where parents can hear from leaders with lived expertise and share their experiences, challenges, and successes in raising transracially adopted persons. This support group meets virtually via Zoom. Click here to read more.
Saturday, December 28, 2024
7:00 - 10:00 PM ET
Monsters Hockey Game
Join us for an evening of Family Friendly Fun as the Cleveland Monsters take on the Grand Rapids Griffins. There will be a Monsters scarf giveaway for the first 5,000 fans. All tickets will be transferred electronically via Seat Geek. Please reach out to Janelle at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Search & DNA Assistance
Join Our Legacy Circle
Help us LIGHT UP?and power our Network!?With your support, Adoption Network Cleveland will provide healing and fill the service gaps in the adoption, foster, and kinship care community for decades to come. Making a planned gift via a bequest, charitable gift annuity, or other vehicle ensures a stable future for Adoption Network Cleveland's programs and services. By including Adoption Network Cleveland in your estate plans, you will become a member of our Legacy Circle.
To see a list of our Legacy Circle members or learn more about leaving a legacy, click here.
Philanthropy does not require great wealth. When you give to Adoption Network Cleveland, you may choose what to give, how to give, and how your gift will be used. A planned gift may be designated to a specific program, our endowment fund at the Cleveland Foundation, or general operations for the organization's most pressing need.
If you have already included Adoption Network Cleveland in your estate plans, please let us know so that we can add your name to the Legacy Circle. Our team works with you in partnership with our Cleveland Foundation philanthropic advisors.?For more information, please contact Cheryl Carter at (216) 482-2316 or [email protected].
We Need Your Help!?
Volunteer and Support the Network
Adoption Network Cleveland benefits immeasurably from volunteers' dedication, shared time, and expertise. We hope you check out these terrific opportunities. If you hope to volunteer but do not see an opportunity that fits you, please reach out and let us know you are interested.?
Family Ties Gathering Volunteers
Volunteers are needed for this second Thursday of the month program to provide childcare for babies through preschoolers, within the structured activities for children under 12, and/or to provide a dinner for the family gathering. Volunteers working directly with children will receive training and complete a background check. Interested or want to learn more? Contact [email protected].
Other Volunteer Opportunities
From student internships to board committees, there are countless opportunities to volunteer with your cherished nonprofit! Reach out and let us know that you are interested in finding a fit for your time, passion, and interests. Contact [email protected].??
Download a printable program calendar HERE!
Early Next Month...
January 2? ? ?General Discussion Meeting facilitated by JJ & Rosemary
January 7? ? ?DNA Discovery Support Group facilitated by Oliver & Becky
January 8? ? ?Birth Mother Support Group facilitated by Nikki & Lindsey (Note date change from the first Wednesday this month)?
January 9? ? ?General Discussion Meeting facilitated by Kim & Denise
Our?website calendar?has full listings and descriptions of upcoming events.
To learn more about becoming a corporate?partner, please contact Betsie Norris, Executive Director at [email protected].