SPECIAL EVENTS

Adoptive Parenting with Love & Logic presented by Barb Page-Liescheidt, LMSW.  The workshop will be held from 9-12pm at Central Reformed Church (10 College NE, Grand Rapids).  Barb will talk openly and honestly about how to incorporate the principles of "Parenting with Love & Logic" within adoptive families.  Program fee is $5 per adult.  Childcare is available for $2 per child.  Pre-registration is required. 

ONGOING EVENTS

“Raising Healthy Families” Parent Discussion Group

A monthly support group for parents hosted by AFSN on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm at Central Reformed Church (Fulton & College, Grand Rapids). This group will provide parents with an opportunity to share about the challenges they face and offer ideas on raising healthy and happy adoptive children. It will also provide a great environment for parents to connect with one another. Childcare will be available for pre-registered children. New participants are always welcomed. Register.

"Embracing the Gift of Transracial Adoption" Parent Discussion Group

This new group will feature books by Rhonda Roorda ("In Their Own Voices" and In Their Parents Voices").  Meetings dates are to be determined.  Contact AFSN for more information. 

Ongoing Programs

Adoption Support Group (Genesee County).  Meetings are held on the 4th Monday of the month for anyone currently in the process of adopting or those who have already adopted.  The meetings are held at the Ennis Center for Children (129 E. Third St., Flint).  For more information or to make a reservation, please contact 888-200-8915.

Adoptive Parent Support Group (Ottawa):  Sponsor Ottawa Area Adoption Consortium.  Meetings are held at Bethany Christian Services (12048 James St., Holland) on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.  They are open to any adoptive parent at no cost and child care is provided for children ages 12 and under.  Join the group for pizza from 5:30-6:00 and the group is held from 6:00-7:30pm.  A donation of $5 per family is suggested.  To register contact (616)396-0623.

Catholic Charities of West Michigan -

Ottawa County Parent Support Group.  Meetings held third Wednesday of each month at 12:00noon at South Olive Christian Reformed Church. 

Muskegon County Parent Support Group.  Meetings held the 4^th Thursday of the month at 10 a.m.  Located at Muskegon County Catholic Social Services (1095 Third Muskegon). 

“ADOPTEENS” teen support group.  Meetings held on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 4:30 at Muskegon County CSS (1095 Third Muskegon). 

Call Nancy Wittkopp, (231)726-1210 for more information and registration.

Grand Rapids Special Needs adoption orientation schedule as follows: All orientations will be every other month March 15, May 17, July 19, September 20, November 15 from 6-8 pm.  For more information contact Moira Monaghan at 616-356-6225. 

Bethany Christian Services

AD-OPTS Program. Specialized therapy services for pre and post adoptive children addressing past trauma issues and helping children to build skills and move forward in their lives.  The AD-OPTS program consists of 16 weeks of indvidualized therapy, 6 weeks of parent support and education groups and 6 weeks of children's skill building groups. Available program locations include: Holland (616)396-0623, Grand Rapids (616-224-7617), Kalamazoo (269-372-2562), Fremont (231-924-3390). 

Parent PRIDE Training (Parent Resource Information Development and Education). This training is mandatory for parents adopting older special needs children. The training is 7 sessions, with sessions beginning in March, May and July.  

Domestic Infant Adoption Group Orientation meeting will be held BCS Domestic Infant Adoption Group Orientation meetings will be held on February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, and August 13, 2007.

Call Jennifer Fewless, 224-7550 for more information and registration.

Chinese Culture Group of Greater Grand Rapids.  For information about upcoming programs visit the group’s website at www.ccgggr.org for more info.

Chinese Village, LLC offers Mandarin language and Chinese cultural heritage for families in West Michigan.  For information, contact (888)255-0236 or www.chinesevillage.org. 

D.A. Blodgett for Children -

Special Needs Adoption Training series for families who are interested in adoption.  The series is held three times a year and is on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm for seven weeks. The next series begins on May 8, 2007. 

 Orientation classes every month for people who are considering doing either adoption or foster care.  The classes are held at D.A. Blodgett for Children from 7 to 9 pm.

 For more information contact 616-451-2021.   

Eastern European Play Group A group of families in the Grand Rapids area who have adopted from Eastern Europe and organize occasional fun family events.  Contact Cindy Samson to join the e-mail list at cvs@wmis.net.

Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA)--Michigan Chapter www.frua-michigan.org Support and activities for those who have adopted or are adopting from Russia, Ukraine and neighboring countries. Based on the East side of Michigan.

Families for International Children (FFIC) is a parent group providing support to families interested in international adoption, education for ourselves and the community, awareness of world cultures, and relief to homeless children abroad.  For more information contact Families for International Children, Box 2053, Grand Rapids, MI 49501 or www.fficgr.org .

Families With Children From Guatemala:  A Michigan based support group whose purpose is to offer support and socialization opportunities for these families both before and after their child comes home.  Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamiliesWithchildrenFromGuatemala

Forever Family Groups for adoptive and foster parents - sponsored by Catholic Social Services.  Ionia Forever Family Support Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month.  Contact Dorrine Schlebaum at 616-522-0836 or DorrineS@cssgr.org  for more information.

GIFTS (Giving International Families Transitional Support) A support group to help families of internationally adopted children.  Meets second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 1338 Baldwin in Jenison, MI.  For more information contact Lori at ltroop@earthlink.net.

GLOBA (Greater Lansing OURS by Adoption).  Lansing area adoptive families support and socialization group for both domestic  and international adoptions.  Contact Janelle Craig at craigj151@comcast.net or GLOBA, PO Box 25161, Lansing MI 48909-5161 for more information.

The Life Guidance Services Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group sponsored by Life Guidance, meets on the first "teen" Monday of each month from 6-8pm at Andrew Episcopal Church (1025 3 Mile Rd NE, Grand).  Childcare is provided.  For more information, please contact Sarah Stephan at Life Guidance Services 616-954-1991.

Kinship Care Support Group sponsored by Bethany Christian Services (Holland).  For grandparents and other relatives who are primary caregivers for children under the age of 18.  Meetings are held on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Lodge of Calvary Christian Reformed Church (410 Beeline Rd., Holland) Child care and pizza are provided and there is no cost to attend.  Contact Yvette Chiquito at (616) 396-0623.

Lansing Family Support Group.  Second Tuesday of each month - from 6:30-8:30 pm at St Vincent Catholic Charities (2800 W. Willow, Lansing).  Child care is available.  For more info contact Cindy Walters at 517-655-5707 or walterc2@msu.edu”

Michigan Association of Single Adoptive Parents (MASAP)  E-mail:  bnite@wwnet.net  946 Forest, Westland, MI.  www.pages.ivillage.com/masap 

Montcalm County Foster Adoptive Parents Association.  For more information on upcoming activities contact Diana Moore at 231-762-4614.

SAFE (Singles Adopting From Everywhere):  The SAFE group of West Michigan has a Yahoo group list for any single adoptive parent to join.  If interested, please join the MISAFE Yahoo group and introduce yourself.

Transracial Adoptive Family Playgroup (Muskegon).  Group meets at Forest Park Covenant Church in Muskegon, every other Tuesday from 9:30am-11am.  The group is very informal, just letting all the kids play while parents dialogue about adoption, etc.  For more info contact Alyssa at 616-604-1327. 

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