The Hub (October 2024): The Official Newsletter of Adoption Network Cleveland

Check out Mark Cardwell's powerful keynote address from Creating Futures! Mark was adopted at the age of five, after spending years in foster care, and he reconnected with his birth family decades later. Prefer listening? You can find a video recording of the keynote on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gisfZQnc

Have you taken a DNA test and been overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) with the results? Opportunities for support are open to and accessible to all. If you would like assistance, please contact Karen Wyman for a personalized, professional analysis. https://lnkd.in/g5KhBZ7h #SearchingforFamily #DNAtest #SearchAssistance

Join us for one or more of this week's programs: DNA Discovery Support Group, Birth Mother Support Group, and a General Discussion Meeting facilitated by JJ and Rosemary. Register here: https://ow.ly/szZS50TAbPm

Congratulations to John and Angela Mago, our Cleveland Sports Raffle winners! Thank you for your generous support of Adoption Network Cleveland. Your contribution helps us continue making a difference in the lives of those impacted by adoption. #ClevelandSports #CommunitySupport #AdoptionNetworkCleveland

We are excited to announce our upcoming conference and invite you to respond to this Request for Proposals for workshops and presenters. Journeys of Discovery, An Adoption Network Cleveland Conference, will be held on Friday, March 21st, and Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University, in Berea Ohio. About the Conference: To mark the 10th anniversary of Ohio’s Opening Day – a day 400,000 Ohio adoptees, by law, gained access to their original birth records – Adoption Network Cleveland is hosting a conference to continue the celebration and education. Together, adoptees; birth parents; adoptive, kinship and foster parents; foster alumni; individuals who are donor conceived or have found misattributed parentage through DNA testing; and professionals in the field, and others, will explore unfolding life stories, engage in learning, and create community. Conference Keynote: Abby Hasberry, LMFTA presenting Adopting Privilege: What is it? Who has it? And how is access to information and informed consent attempting to shift it? Conference Emcee: Lauren LoGiudice, Comedian, Actor and Filmmaker Conference content will include keynote presentations, workshops, entertainment, and opportunities for sharing and networking. Workshop sessions will be 1.5 hours long, with the possibility of combining two sessions for a three-hour offering. Workshops will be selected to reflect a range of compelling presentations on a variety of timely topics. Professionals will be provided with certificates for CEU submission to the participant's licensing board. Suggested Topics sought include, but are not limited to: - Search and Reunion - Adoptee Issues - Birth Parent Issues - Parenting Challenges and Strategies - Ethics in Adoption, Foster/Kinship Care, and Assisted Reproduction - DNA Search and Discoveries - Genetic Identity (e.g., donor conception, misattributed parentage) - Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care - Creative Expression (e.g., writing, theater, film) - Advocacy and Legislation Proposal Deadline: Friday, November 4, 2024 | Submit your proposal via https://lnkd.in/gVs_7nPf. - Notification of acceptance will be provided by December 6, 2024. - Conference registration will open in early January 2025. Workshop presenters are expected to register for the conference, if attending, and will receive a special presenter discount on registration. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to: Betsie Norris, Executive Director: (216) 482-2314, betsie.norris@adoptionnetwork.org Ty Cliffel, Director of Programs: (216) 482-2314, ty.cliffel@adoptionnetwork.org We look forward to receiving your workshop proposal(s) and to celebrating with you at this impactful event! #JourneysofDiscovery #AdoptionConference #OhioEvents

Thank you, Mark A. Cardwell, for joining our Creating Futures event and sharing your journey with us! We are truly grateful you chose to reflect on your experience, and we're honored to have played a role in your search for your birth family. It was a night filled with connection and meaningful moments—thank you for being a part of it! 💙 #CreatingFutures #AdoptionJourney #Connection

We are thrilled to share an incredible opportunity for you to make twice the difference for families and individuals in the adoption, kinship care, and foster care community. Today only, in honor of our Creating Futures Benefit & Silent Auction, every dollar you donate will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, thanks to a generous matching gift from Sue and Murray Van Epp! Can you give today? Click here to donate: https://ow.ly/Il0950Tn51O Here more about Sue and Murray and their journey of reunion with their daughter: https://ow.ly/Bzje50Tn51Q

“As a former single person who adopted two brothers from the foster care system when they were 5 and 6, I have knowledge of the complexities of adoption and foster care.” Cheryl shared. “My sons are now 28 and 29 and are out in the world, but we still have conversations about their identities and needs as adults."