African-American Parents Advisory Committee

In 1991, a group of Spence-Chapin parents came together

to discuss how they might help the agency increase community awareness of adoption and help other African Americans understand the joys of parenting an adopted child. They were soon known as Spence-Chapin's African-American Parents Advisory Committee, or the AAPAC.

Over the years, the AAPAC has been an active voice and catalyst for new initiatives and ideas at Spence-Chapin. They have helped the agency improve the African-American adoption program by providing input about program policy and procedures. In 1993, they established the Adoptionship Fund to assist prospective parents facing unusual circumstances who are adopting through the African-American program. In each following year, they have planned an annual fund-raising benefit for the Adoptionship, raising $187,728 and helping 99 babies join families of their own. The committee continues to host Family Day every June at Spence-Chapin, where the ever-expanding community comes together to celebrate. The 2006 co-chairs Lisha Epperson and Donna Walker-Kuhne welcome interested Spence-Chapin parents and invite them to get involved at any time.