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Our Mission
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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,
Haitian, multiracial, HIV+ and other special needs children. We believe that all
children have a right to a loving and permanent home.
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History of Adoption-Link
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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. In fall of 2009 we also began an alliance with Children's Hope International to place children from Ethiopia,
China, Russia, and Columbia through our Alliance of Hope Adoption Program.
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. The agency places children with families throughout the U.S. To date over 800 domestic infants and over
40 HIV positive children have found permanent, loving homes.
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Our Philosophy
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To provide respectful and quality services to all in the adoption
triad: birth parents, children and adoptive families
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To keep fees for services as low as possible
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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
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To help birth parents explore all of their options in order to make the best
decision possible for their babies
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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.
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To provide birth mothers with a viable alternative to abortion, DCFS, and/or a
life of struggle
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To facilitate open, semi-open and closed adoptions according to the needs and
wishes of both birth parents and adoptive families
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To provide services to ALL birth mothers regardless of health status, race, ethnic origin,
history of mental illness, substance abuse, etc.
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To accept applications from prospective adoptive families without regard to race, culture or national origin
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To charge the same fees for services for all children
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