Encompass Adoptees’ youth program is for kids adopted, in fostered care, or in kinship care between 7-12/13 years old. It combines elements of both a support group and a mentoring program, and offers parents 3 hrs of daytime respite. The program curriculum is designed by an adult adoptee who is also a therapist, to offer art-based activities and interactions that promote resilience building, character development, and support in processing experiences related to being adopted, fostered, and/or kinshipped.

The program is developed and facilitated by adult mentors who have lived experience and are available to youth throughout the program at a ratio of one mentor per one-two youth.

Activities differ each month.

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LEARN ABOUT PROGRAM

Schedule:

10:50 Arrive & Settle in

11- 12:15 Art & Discussion Activity: focused on social-emotional learning and resiliency related to topics that specifically tie to the experience of those adopted/fostered/in kinship care. Intended to be more quiet, creative, conversational, and reflective.

12:15- 1:pm Lunch & 20 min outdoor play (if weather permits). Please bring clothing items to accommodate today’s weather. Kids bring a packed meal- a microwave is available.

1- 2pm Art Exploration & Learning Activity: Geared toward exploration, learning a new art skill, trying something new, and seeing themselves succeed.

2:00pm Final pick up

2-3pm Mentor Meeting & Debrief

Join us for a book discussion and support group for parents of donor-conceived people. We will be reading Random Families: Genetic Strangers, Sperm Donor Siblings, and the Creation of New Kin by Rosanna Hertz and Margaret K. Nelson.

If you are expecting, a new parent, or raising a child or adult conceived through egg, sperm, or embryo donation, we invite you to join us. All are welcome - this is a space to reflect, share perspectives, and support one another in navigating parenting. See the schedule below for chapters for each book group. Reading is not required, but will be used as a jumping off point for conversation and reflection. If you aren’t able to read the chapters, please still feel free to listen or join for the conversation!

Book discussions are facilitated by Caitlin Day, MSW, LSW, and donor-conceived person, and Allie Michael, donor-conceived person.

NOTE: Encompass Adoptees encourages critical thinking, reflection, and the inclusion of perspectives from the entire family constellation through the content we utilize in our groups. Book discussions or reading lists do not imply agreement with all portions of a book, nor do they indicate endorsement of the author/s, their programs, or techniques.

Schedule

Chapters for each group are below (these are open to change depending on group preferences).

January 13 - Introduction, Chapter 1

February 10 -Chapter 2

March 10 - Chapters 3 & 4

April 7 -Chapter 5

May 12 -Chapter 6

June 9 -Chapter 7

July 14 - Chapter 8

August 11 - Chapter 9

September 8 - Chapter 10, Conclusion

About the book:

Random Families is about the unprecedented families that have grown up at the intersection of new reproductive technologies, social media, and the human desire for belonging. Children of the same donor and their families, with the help of the internet, can now locate each other and make contact. Based on over 350 interviews with children (ages 10-28), their parents and related donors from all over the U.S., Random Families chronicles the chain of choices that couples and single mothers make from what donor to use to how to participate (or not) in donor sibling networks. Children reveal their understanding of a donor, the donor's spot on the family tree and the meaning of their donor siblings. Through rich first-person accounts of network membership, the book illustrates how these extraordinary relationships-woven from bits of online information and shared genetic ties-are transformed into new possibilities for kinship. Random Families offers down-to-earth stories from real families to highlight just how truly distinctive these contemporary new forms of family are.

— https://www.amazon.com/Random-Families-Strangers-Siblings-Creation/dp/019088827X

ABOUT:

This is a casual discussion group meant to support adoptive, fostering, & kinship parents and to build relationships between parents and their adopted/fostered children of all ages through community, conversation, and educational materials.

Each month we discuss part of a book or topic. We do this in an attempt to cover a larger variety of related issues, to increase our knowledge and awareness of the information that is out there, and to maximize our resources for the future. Although not required, sharing personal experiences and asking questions are encouraged. There is No requirement to read the chapters or to come to all discussions. Facilitators are committed to increasing their learning and understanding through the insight and perspective of other triad members, This group offers a safe place to share individual opinions and personal experiences, and ask questions openly and honestly about relinquishment and adoption-related issues.

-NOTE- Encompass Adoptees encourages critical thinking that takes into account all triad members in regard to all books and resources. Book discussions or reading lists in no way imply agreement with all portions of a book, nor does it indicate any endorsement of the author/s, their programs, techniques, etc.

Details at a Glance:

• Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month (except Dec for the holidays)

• In-Person @ at Encompass Adoptees at 122 S Terrace Ave, parking is along the side of the building and on the street

• Facilitated by: Heather Gonzales LPC, an adult adoptee & licensed clinical therapist + Katie Polen, the parent of 5 kids, 4 of whom are adopted as a sibling group.

• Child care is available for families who need this in order to attend- Preregistration is required at least 1 week in advance - see the link below.

• Currently discussing attachment related topics from: Secure Relating

• Discussing Chapter

  • Jan- Intro, ch1, & Ch 2

  • Feb- Ch 3

  • March- Ch 4

  • April- Ch- 5 & 6

  • May- Ch 7

This Program is Hosted, Developed, and Facilitated by Encompass Adoptees, and is currently Sponsored by Ohio KAN

This is a casual dinner to enjoy good food and good conversations, with other adult adopted and fostered, and/or kinshipped people. This group meets every first Thursday of the month and usually meets at the Market - but See schedule below because we occasionally change this up. When we meet at the East Market- Choose what you want for dinner from the vendors and join us upstairs at a table to eat and chat!

• If you are new to our group feel free to contact us through our website beforehand or reach out to Heather at 614-600-6183 or heather@encompassadoptees.org.

• Conversation is casual and self-directed - no one is forced to talk and there are no discussion questions/topics prepared beforehand

This is meant to be a space for good food and good conversation - meet and connect with other DCP, with casual conversation, and no preparation necessary. Adults of all ages are welcome!

At the East Market, you can choose food from one of the vendors, grab a drink if you want to, and join us upstairs to eat and chat.

Please RSVP to attend in person at https://www.facebook.com/events/4080981508804775/4080981535471439/ or email Caitlin at caitlin@encompassadoptees.org.

If you are new to our dinners, feel free to reach out directly to Caitlin at 614-371-7779 with any questions!

About:

This is a casual discussion group meant to support adoptive, fostering, & kinship parents and to build relationships between parents and their adopted/fostered children of all ages through community, conversation, and educational materials.

Each month we discuss part of a book or topic. We do this in an attempt to cover a larger variety of related issues, to increase our knowledge and awareness of the information that is out there, and to maximize our resources for the future. Although not required, sharing personal experiences and asking questions are encouraged. There is No requirement to read the chapters or to come to all discussions. Facilitators are committed to increasing their learning and understanding through the insight and perspective of other triad members, This group offers a safe place to share individual opinions and personal experiences, and ask questions openly and honestly about relinquishment and adoption-related issues.

-NOTE- Encompass Adoptees encourages critical thinking that takes into account all triad members in regard to all books and resources. Book discussions or reading lists in no way imply agreement with all portions of a book, nor does it indicate any endorsement of the author/s, their programs, techniques, etc.

Details at a Glance:

• Meets every 1st Thursday of the month (except Dec for the holidays)

• Online/ Zoom group -Please email us or pre-register in order to get the zoom link. After you have come once, and the group is able to verify new members are adoptive parents (to ensure a safe space for all attending), you can request to be added to the email list that receives the new link and password each month.

• Facilitated by: Heather Gonzales LPC, an adult adoptee, licensed therapist, and the Founder and Director at Encompass + Olivia Hamilton, a foster and adoptive parent and pastor of The Brood, a ministry for foster, adoptive, and kinship families (This space is designed to be inclusive of all people regardless of your faith/spiritual tradition or lack thereof)

• Currently discussing topics from: Adoption Unfiltered

• Discussion Schedule:

  Jan- Ch 14- 17

  Feb- Ch 18-20

  March- Ch 21- 23

  April ….Start New Book

This Program is Hosted, Developed, and Facilitated by Encompass Adoptees

and is currently Funded and Sponsored by Ohio KAN