“Bottom line is, even if you see them coming, you're not ready for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not really. But it does.
So, what are we, helpless? Puppets? Nah. The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's
when you find out who you are." - Joss Whedon

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Kid's Fest

KIDS’ FEST An Adoption Party
Saturday, November 6, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Franklin Elementary School
1402 S. Lawrence, Tacoma

Sponsored by: Alaskan Copper & Brass Company and Alaskan Copper Works
Produced by: Northwest Adoption Exchange, 206-441-6822, www.nwae.org

What is “Kids’ Fest”?

It’s a safe, festive adoption party where legally free children waiting in state foster care for adoption and eligible-to-adopt parents (couples and single folks!) can get acquainted.

Under the auspices of the State of Washington, Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Kids’ Fest has been an annual event in Seattle since 1987. We, at the Northwest Adoption Exchange, have been planning and managing Kids’ Fest under the corporate sponsorship of Alaskan Copper & Brass Company and Alaskan Copper Works. NWAE celebrates over 20 years of hosting Kids’ Fest.

How did adoption parties get started?

Using a festive party setting to help facilitate adoptions of children needing permanent homes came about at the end of World War II. It was a primary means of finding adoptive families in the United States for the many foreign children orphaned during that terrible conflict.

What’s their purpose now?

There are tens of thousands of legally free kids in our country waiting in state foster care for adoption. The vast majority of the children have suffered abuse, neglect, and parental alcohol and drug abuse in their birth families.

An adoption party brings together folks wanting to adopt, social workers representing families and children, and the children themselves.

For additional information email Larissa Peay at:peayld@ldsmail.net

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Comments from the National Counsel for Adoption Regarding Haiti

NCFA is pleased to release Adoption Advocate No. 28, "Examining Intercountry Adoption After the Earthquake in Haiti."

With this horrible tragedy almost one year behind us, this Advocate summarizes and evaluates the United States' response to the earthquake in Haiti. Adoption Advocate No. 28 also examines reactions to the event and presents lessons learned, as well as recommendations for continued U.S. support in meeting the needs of children adopted from Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake.


Sincerely,

Chuck Johnson
President and CEO of NCFA