library.adoption.com/information/birthfathers/223/1.html Observing...

Observing Adoption Awareness Month -Observing Adoption Awareness Month Observing Adoption Awareness Month Compiled by Perspectives Press The Infertility and Adoption Publisher for more than 20 years adoptive families and organizations have observed November as Adoption Awareness Month (AAM). The purpose of AAM was to dispel myths about and focus on the normalcy of adoptive family life, as well as to call attention to the need for homes for hundreds of thousands of waiting children. It has become a popular time to hold adoption fairs and conferences, plan political action events and more. The Web site of the Northern American Council on Adoptable Children s (www.nacac.org) contains a great deal of useful material for AAM observances. So does the Web site of the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse http://naic.acf.hhs.gov). - Select One - Main For Birth Parents Adoptive Couples Contact for Info Not every family or professional touched by adoption has the time, means, budget or energy to mount a full campaign. Not to worry! Individuals can make an AAM impact, too. We have gathered ideas from members of Internet listservs, newsgroups and bulletin boards for individuals or small groups planning some last minute Adoption Awareness Month observances. Public activities that can make a genuine difference... Be sure to alert TV and print media about a week in advance of your activity. Contact your house of worship and arrange to donate altar flowers "in honor of children waiting for forever families" or "in celebration of this congregation s adoption-expanded families" or "in gratitude to birthparents who have chosen adoption." Suggest that each member of your support group do the same thing-reaching many congregations of differing faiths during the month. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about a positive adoption issue or an issue that needs to be addressed in your state. Buy a favorite adoption-r...