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The Adoption Resource Library contains recomended books and articles by adoption professionals, birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted children, who share their unique insights.
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African American Adoption
African-American Parents Advisory CommitteeIn 1991, the agency formed the Spence-Chapin African-American Parents Advisory Committee. The Committee, known as AAPAC, is a sounding board for the agency, providing input on matters concerning African-American adoption and bringing families together for social networking. AAPAC has also been instrumental in developing ideas on recruitment initiatives and program administration; and raising funds to assist families with adoption costs. All families who adopt through the African-American program are invited to participate.AAPAC members meet monthly in the evenings via teleconference and quarterly at one another’s homes to conduct business and plan activities. They also get together regularly to enjoy family activities ranging from apple picking and pool parties to outing at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. One of the unforeseen and extremely positive outcomes has been the close ties formed by members and by their children. At first, the children reacted with surprise at meeting other African-American adopted children. Now, members share many accounts of how their children have benefited from knowing other adopted children, parents and regularly being part of the majority. African-American Family Day, first held in 1991, is an annual summer gathering, hosted by AAPAC and filled with entertainment, games and plenty of food. Drawing a large group of adults and children, new and experienced adoptive families alike have an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. The sense of community that prevails in this African-American adoption program is strong and unique. |
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