Pact, An Adoption Alliance - Support Groups and Chatlists

Support Groups & Chat Lists

Support Resources For Adoptive Families Of Color

My name is Malaika Parker. I have been hired by Pact to work with families of color to design resources and opportunities that provide the space needed by same race adoptive families.
In 2005 ago my husband and I began working with Pact to build our family. A little over a year ago we became very proud parents of a beautiful little girl whom we have named Imani. As an African American adoptive parent, I have struggled to find resources that felt applicable for our family dynamics. While there are many resources in the Bay Area, especially those offered through Pact, that speak to adoption, I have found that often these spaces are dominated by transracial families who are grappling with the issues of adopting across color lines or white families for whom race is an invisible factor.
At Pact we are looking at ways to support adoptive families of color better. After conducting an on-line survey we have begun creating an array of services that we will begin offering this fall. Enclosed in this packet you will find announcements about upcoming events and a print out of the on-line survey that was dissiminated. We look forward to your input on what we can be doing better. We are excited about the upcoming events to look hope that this is the beginning of building a strong community.
To enhance services currently provided, Pact has developed a menu of services to meet the needs of adoptive families of color.
Support Groups: Families will get together three times a year for support, trainings, and community building. Families to discuss through facilitated groups the challenges and successes of being adoptive families of color.
Educational Opportunities: Benefit from experts in the field of youth and child development. Pact will invite speakers and presenters to address challenges and assets particular to raising healthy and happy adoptive families of color.
On Line Resources: Whether you are local or across the country, Pact works to build out on-line resources that help you in your community. Join our chat group and connect with other adoptive parents of color and their partners.
Speakers Bureau: Children of color are in need of families of color to adopt them. Pact will work with adoptive parents of color to develop a speakers bureau to spread the word of just how wonderful adoption can be. Speakers will be trained and utilized as a resource to get families and communities of color involved in providing homes for children of color.
Play Groups: Have a little one between ages 3months and 6 years old. Play groups every other month will give an opportunity for families of color to get together in an informal environment and build community. Playgroups will rotate between Richmond, Oakland, and San Jose.