For Adult Adoptees, Kinship, &/or Fostered People

Community Support Dinners

These dinners are meant to offer a time to relax, unwind, and get to know each other better while exploring some of the delicious and diverse restaurants Columbus has to offer. Adoptees, Fostered, and Kinshipped people welcome!

• Meets at East Market unless otherwise noted on the calendar- Individuals pay for their own meal (optional) and meet upstairs or outside, when the weather is warm

• Meets 6:30-8 pm

• RSVP is helpful, but not required

• Check the Calendar for upcoming dates, location, and other details

Adoptee Counseling

Therapy, with an adult adoptee, is available for those actively trying to process, understand, and/or come to terms with aspects of their personal relinquishment/removal and/or adoption history. Coaching is offered for those who are not interested or ready for counseling at this time.

The perspective of a person who is relinquished/ removed/separated is uniquely influenced by these experiences, and these early experiences inevitably affect the formation of our worldview and general ideas of the people and world around us. This often causes subtle shifts in our perspective, understanding, beliefs, and definitions. This can create specific needs from a therapist.

Art Processing Workshops

These Art Processing workshops are not traditional art classes, and are Designed For Non-artists (those new to or less confident in art making). These workshops focus on the creation of art as a form of meaningful expression and communication, and elevate the idea that art-making can be accessible and valuable for everyone!

Most materials will be provided. Most worship series start with how-to projects, and end with open studio days where attendees use their own ideas to design and create a individual art.

Group Book Discussions

These meetings are designed for adult adoptees, Fostered Alum, &/or those raised by Kinship Caregivers and facilitated by adult adoptees, to support one another and offer a safe place to share, discuss, and gain words for better understanding &/or expressing our experiences.

Each meeting we will discuss topics from a book or podcast written on adoption related issues. Time is given for individual sharing, but no one is required to do so- We encourage each person to participate, or just listen, however they wish.

Opportunities to Help Other Adoptees

Encompass Adoptees has a number of opportunities for older adoptees to encourage, support, mentor other adoptees, and or adoptive families- although we don’t believe the younger ones are the only ones learning or gaining from these experiences.

We offer a mentoring program, coaching, a youth resilience-building program, have a teen group, and parent groups, all of which are run and supported by those with lived experiences. The best way to start getting involved is to come to a dinner or apply to join our team.

Adoptee Art Show

During Adoptee Awareness Day/Adoption Awareness Month (in Oct & Nov) Encompass Adoptees holds an Adoptee art show featuring work from local adoptees 14 yrs and older. Several special guests are also invited who have related experiences, such as Fostered people, Donor conceived People, and those who parent/s have been deported.

Everyone is welcome to attend. For adoptees interested in entering an art piece- see our call to artists flier and/or the calendar of events!

Other Special Events and Service Activities

In addition to our more regular scheduled meetings, we have special events such as camping overnights, family picnics, community service days, and adoption related educational workshops.

Check the Calendar for upcoming activities and dates.