|
Our Mission
|
|
Adoption-Link provides quality services for all in the adoption triad: birth
parents, children and adoptive families. We specialize in domestic and
international adoption and humanitarian services for African, African American,
multiracial, HIV+ and other special needs children. We believe that all
children have a right to a loving and permanent home.
|
|
|
History of Adoption-Link
|
Adoption-Link was founded in August 1992 by Margaret Fleming, a clinical social worker and adoptive mother of nine children. Adoption-Link is based upon the philosophy that children of all races, including those children with special needs, have a right to a loving and permanent home. Increasingly, prospective adoptive parents from all cultures and backgrounds are turning to minority children in the United States to build families through adoption. This trend has generated a need for educational, supportive, and networking services specific to the needs of these children. Providing these specialized adoption services has been the primary purpose of Adoption-Link,
Chances by Choice (CBC), also founded by Margaret in 2003, merged with and became a program of Adoption-Link in 2006. CBC specializes in finding adoptive homes for internationally born HIV exposed children. CBC also provides support to internationally born HIV+ children through reunification programs, sponsorship, education, job training and humanitarian services.
In addition to our domestic program and Chances by Choice, Adoption-Link is currently placing healthy children for adoption from Haiti and Kenya. We also hope to establish adoption programs in India, Ethiopia and other countries in the near future.
Adoption-Link began as an adoption consultation service. Initially, a staff of one employee and one volunteer performed services for adoptive families and birthparents through the process of private adoption. Today Adoption-Link is a full-service, licensed child-welfare agency with a staff of twelve. The agency places children with families throughout the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To date over 750 domestic infants and over 40 HIV positive children have found permanent, loving homes.
|
|
|
Our Philosophy
|
-
To provide respectful and quality services to all in the adoption
triad: birth parents, children and adoptive families
-
To keep fees for services as low as possible
-
To maintain a culturally sensitive staff who recognizes, respects and responds to the unique,
culturally defined needs of individuals and families served by the agency
-
To help birth parents explore all of their options in order to make the best
decision possible for their babies
-
To meet the emotional and physical needs of birth parents through pre- and
post-adoption counseling, financial assistance for living expenses, referrals
to other agencies, etc.
-
To provide birth mothers with a viable alternative to abortion, DCFS, and/or a
life of struggle
-
To facilitate open, semi-open and closed adoptions according to the needs and
wishes of both birth parents and adoptive families
-
To provide services to ALL birth mothers regardless of health status, race, ethnic origin,
history of mental illness, substance abuse, etc.
-
To accept applications from prospective adoptive families without regard to race, culture or national origin
-
To charge the same fees for services for all children
|
|