Each year MLJ Adoptions hosts adoption events in order to encourage our families to build relationships with one another and with the greater adoption community. Since MLJ Adoptions was formed, we have witnessed the benefits families experience when they are in community with one another. International adoption can introduce complex challenges into a family’s life: transracial parenting, attachment and bonding, helping a child develop his or her identity, sensory seeking behaviors, and learning delays. Having friends who understand these experiences can only strengthen a family’s support system.
Adoption events are also an excellent opportunity for prospective adoptive parents to meet families who have been through the adoption process. While no adoption process is exactly the same, the rollercoaster of emotions and the difficulty of the waiting time is not unique. Having the chance to speak with others allows prospective adoptive families to better understand what they may experience throughout their adoption journey.
Africa Party
On March 12th, MLJ Adoptions will host our annual Africa Party! Many of the families in attendance adopted from Democratic Republic of Congo when it was still a pilot program. These past families have also experienced setbacks on their adoption journeys. It is a great opportunity to meet families with experiences with transracial parenting.
The event begins at 1PM and will last until 3PM. It will be held at MLJ Adoptions (617 E. North Street). A main dish will be provided, and we ask families to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We are excited for an African dance performance at the event.
Empowered to Connect Simulcast
Each year thousands of adoptive parents attend the Empowered to Connect Conferences held throughout the United States. These conferences are designed to train parents in the best parenting techniques for children from hard places. The trauma that a child who has been adopted may have experiences has altered the way they process information and form relationships with others. Empowered to Connect draws on Dr. Karyn Purvis’ decades of research in order to empower families to best meet their child’s needs. If your family is struggling with attachment, bonding or trust issues, Empowered to Connect is an excellent place to learn new methods and better understand how your child’s brain is wired.
Empowered to Connect Simulcasts will be held on April 8th and 9th throughout the United States. Some simulcasts may have a costs associated with attending. If you attend at MLJ Adoptions (617 E. North Street), the only cost is for the workbook, which you are not required to purchase. All are invited. Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to attend in order to better understand what it may look like to parent a child through adoption. RSVP by February 12 to reserve a workbook.
Adoption Picnic
Our Adoption Picnic is our largest event of the year! Families travel from near and far to spend time with one another. Past client families, families in the adoption process, prospective adoptive parents and orphan care advocates are all invited to attend the picnic. Attending the picnic is a great way to connect with others who are currently in the process of adoption, meet families to add to your adoption support network, and just have an overall great time with some great people!
The picnic will be held on September 11th at Forest Park in Noblesville, Indiana.
Eastern European Adoption Celebration
In international adoption, the countries your family thinks about adopting from can feel so far away. The people and the cultures can be so far removed from your everyday mind, and wrapping your head around it can be overwhelming. This is a great event to learn more about adoption from Eastern Europe and be able to better connect with the culture. Most of the families in attendance have adopted from Bulgaria or Ukraine. Families will have the opportunity to interact with others and the children play joyfully together. If you are a family considering international adoption, this is one of the best adoption events to attend because the families in attendance are open about their adoption journeys and eager to share.
The Eastern European Adoption Celebration will be held on October 22nd at the MLJ Adoptions (617 E. North Street). Some refreshments will be provided.
You may RSVP for any of these events here. Check out photos from our events on our Facebook page.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.