HOAA - Heart of Adoptions Alliance, Inc.’s Post

There’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family…   To mark this year’s National Adoption Week, Freuds+ is supporting You Can Adopt with ‘The Journey’ campaign to highlight that the road to a family doesn’t have to be a traditional one and that families come in all shapes and sizes. It comes as a new survey reveals that nearly half of Brits (48%) have a ‘chosen family’ and 42% come from a ‘non-traditional’ family structure.   “You have an idea in your head of what family looks like, and for us it’s been different, but even more wonderful in different ways,” says Rachel who adopted her daughter Winnie, aged two.   To demonstrate just how rewarding adoption can be, families from across the country are sharing their inspiring journeys in a new film, set onboard a train, showing how just like all families, adoptive families go through ups, downs and detours during their lifelong journey.   What makes every journey unique is the people who play a role along the way. From social workers and foster carers to birth families and grandparents, adopters are never alone due to the ‘village’ of support around them.   This National Adoption Week comes at a more critical time than ever, with the latest adoption data showing a 22% increase in the number of children who have not yet been matched with a forever family, alongside a fall in the number of people coming forward.   If you’d like to find out more about adoption or starting your own adoption journey, visit youcanadopt.co.uk/naw   #NationalAdoptionWeek #NAW2024 #YouCanAdopt

Adoption: My Dream for the Future 🌟 National Adoption Week has a special place in my heart. Unable to conceive naturally, my hope is to one day adopt and provide a nurturing home for a child in need. This week is a reminder of the impact that adoption can have, not just on children who find permanent, loving families, but also on those who open their hearts and homes. Adoption changes lives, and National Adoption Week is an opportunity to celebrate the positive stories from adoptive families. It's about educating the public on the process and encouraging people to consider adoption as a way to grow their families. Did you know that, in the UK, around 40,000 children are in need of a loving home? (Adoption UK, 2023). This week shines a light on these children and the families who welcome them. I hope to join the ranks of these inspiring families one day. This celebration highlights the importance of understanding and supporting the identity and history of adopted children. It honours the tireless work of social workers and agencies that make these beautiful transformations possible. Let's take this week to educate, share, and inspire one another to make a difference. #NationalAdoptionWeek #FamilyMatters #AdoptionAwareness

November is declared National Adoption Awareness Month. As systems flood us with fairytale stories about adoption, let’s remember that forced family separation isn’t a benevolent use of state power. Every day, parents are fighting to bring their babies home from the foster system. Yet, the dominant narrative is that their children are "unwanted" or "better off." Instead of providing meaningful support to parents, the system uses its resources to destroy families in the name of creating new ones. And adoptees are frequently told that they should be grateful, leaving little to no room to grieve what has been taken from them. This National Adoption Awareness Month and beyond, listen to the nuanced stories of adoptees. Many are reclaiming their names, their culture, and their history–and facilitating spaces of deep care to address ongoing harms. If you survived the family policing system as a child, check out this peer-led abolitionist support space hosted in partnership with Peer Support Space: bit.ly/survivorspss And if you want to learn more about adoption abolition, tune into an upcoming IG Live at @the_empress_han on December 10 at 8:30PM ET. 

Nearly half of children awaiting #adoption get adopted. How can this % be so low? As a San Diego born adoptee, I have always felt chosen and privileged. This article takes a look at myths central to adoption and how the fabric of today's #family unit is so critical to creating change for children.

This week marks National Adoption Week—something that holds a special place in my heart. 💙 Adoption has been a part of my life’s story for as long as I can remember. My mother and her sibling were both adopted as babies, and thanks to the openness of their adoptive parents, it was never a secret, but rather something embraced and celebrated. This openness shaped my mother’s confidence in discussing adoption with us as children, and it became part of our family identity. Adoption is often an emotional journey, filled with challenges for all involved. It’s a path that requires immense courage, love, and understanding. But it’s also a process that offers a second chance—both for children seeking a loving home and for individuals or couples looking to build their families. As a woman who has decided not to have children, adoption provides me with an opportunity to reconsider motherhood should I choose to in the future. For me, it represents more than just starting a family—it’s about giving children a second chance at experiencing love, growth, and success. To everyone touched by adoption—whether you’re an adoptee, an adoptive parent, or someone supporting the process—you have my deepest respect and support. 💛 #nationaladoptionweek #adoptionawareness #secondchances #familythroughadoption

Adoption: A Transformative Act of Love 🌍❤️ November 9th marks World Adoption Day, a time to honor the profound love and unity that adoptive families provide to those in need. Adoption creates not just a home but a hopeful future filled with love and security for children and teens lacking biological families. 👶🏽✨ Established by Hank Fortener in 2014, this day emphasizes the significance of embracing every child, regardless of their background. The smiley face on the palm symbolizes the joy of living in a nurturing environment. 👐🏼😊 💔 Sadly, many teens still await adoption, facing the reality of leaving care at 18. Moreover, in some regions, bureaucratic hurdles delay the adoption process. 🤝🏽💖 Let’s celebrate family diversity and acknowledge that adoption is a transformative act of love. Together, we can foster a more empathetic world! 🌈🏡 #WorldAdoptionDay #AdoptionAwareness #Empathy #worldadoptionday #nationaladoptionawarenessmonth #familyiseverything #mystory #adoptionjourney #adoption #LovingHomes #AdoptiveFamilies #TransformLives #PositiveOption #SupportAdoption #ChildrenInNeed #AdoptionInitiatives

November is National Adoption Awareness Month! Over the next few weeks, I’ll celebrate by posting about some of the lesser-known or misunderstood aspects of adoption. Let’s start by recognizing the child’s role in adoption. At CONCERN - Professional Services for Children, Youth and Families, children are active participants in the adoption process. Their work begins in the Child Preparation phase, where our staff prepares them to make the transition from foster care to their forever home. The kids work through complex emotions including grief and loss, abandonment, identity, control, loyalty, attachment, and shame. We give them a voice in the process, honor their past, create connections, answer questions, and prepare for their future. We also employ a process called Child Specific Recruitment (CSR), which involves creating a plan for each child and working with prospective families to ensure appropriate matches. Children are asked for their input and help to create flyers and videos that highlight their strengths. In each of these steps, youth play an active role in finding their forever home. Adoption shouldn't be something that "happens" to a child. It should be an experience they help to facilitate. Visit CONCERN’s website to learn more about our adoption services: https://lnkd.in/efDD2sww. #Concern4Kids #Adoption #NationalAdoptionAwarenessMonth

If a friend or family member has adopted, you might want to send them a thoughtful gift to celebrate their growing family. There are many options, so finding the best gift for new adoptive parents can be challenging. According to Lifetime's successful adoptive families, here are five of the best adoption gift ideas! 🎁 #adoptiongift #LifetimeAdoption #adoptionislove #happyadoptionday

Adoption serves as a beacon of hope, offering solace and stability to children in need of loving homes. It provides a path to parenthood for individuals and couples who may not be able to conceive biologically. Beyond its role in creating families, adoption holds profound societal significance, fostering compassion, empathy, and inclusivity. First and foremost, adoption provides children with the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing environment. For those who may have experienced neglect, abuse, or abandonment, adoption offers a second chance at a happy, fulfilling childhood. It ensures that every child has the chance to grow up in a supportive family, surrounded by love and encouragement. Moreover, adoption transcends biological ties, emphasizing the essence of family as rooted in love rather than genetics. It celebrates the beauty of diversity, bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and cultures to form bonds that transcend bloodlines. In doing so, adoption promotes inclusivity and acceptance, fostering a more compassionate society. Furthermore, adoption empowers individuals and couples who may face infertility or reproductive challenges to realize their dreams of parenthood. It offers an alternative path to building a family, one that is characterized by resilience, determination, and unwavering love. Through adoption, parents have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the life of a child, while also experiencing the profound joys of parenthood. Beyond its personal significance, adoption holds broader societal implications. By providing children with stable, loving homes, adoption helps to break the cycle of poverty, abuse, and neglect. It strengthens communities by nurturing the next generation of empowered, resilient individuals who will contribute positively to society. In essence, adoption embodies the best of humanity—compassion, generosity, and unconditional love. It serves as a testament to our capacity for empathy and our commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. As we celebrate the importance of adoption, let us reaffirm our dedication to building a world where every child is valued, cherished, and supported. Richard DiPilla #lifelessond Thought Leaders #Adoption #Family #Parenthood #Love #Inclusivity #Empathy #Community

November is National Adoption Month, which is aimed at raising awareness about adoption and the children who need permanent, loving homes. Choosing to share your life with a child is a wonderful thing! Whether you have just adopted a child or adopted years ago, it is crucial to ensure that your estate planning documents indicate the money and property you would like your child to receive, when they should receive it, and indicate who you want to act as a caregiver for your child if something should happen to you. Generally, if you are an adoptive parent, adopted children are treated no differently than biological children in your estate planning documents, as well as the estate plans of adoptive grandparents and other family members. If you do not have an estate plan in place, there are several factors to consider when a new child—adopted or biological—comes into your life. Even if you already have an estate plan, it is important to review it to ensure that your wishes for your new child are fully addressed. I can help you create an estate plan that best addresses your growing family’s unique needs. Call me today at (918) 608-1836 to schedule your complimentary consultation. #adoption #adoptivefamilies #estateplan #littletonlegal