Transracial Adopting

Transracial Adopting

WHY: Because families adopting transracially (outside their racial group) will encounter cultural and racial challenges in addition to typical adoption issues and the fact that it is a relatively new occurrence (most of these children have not yet reached adulthood), we believe there is a great need for a support group.

PURPOSE: The support group will serve several purposes:

1. It will provide an opportunity for parents to share the concerns and situations specific to adoption/family situations of this type (transracial)

2. It will provide an opportunity for parents to offer advice and support to one another.

3. It will provide a social setting at which our children can be with similar families.

4. It will provide educational opportunities for its members.

5. It will help to strengthen our resolve and bolster our spirits.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to any racially mixed family or those who are considering adopting transracially. It is open to single and couple parented families. While the majority of the members may be Caucasian parents with children of African American or biracial heritage, families of any race and families with children of any race are welcome!

Although we are facilitated through Childplace Adoption Agency, members need not be affiliated with them in order to join.

*All members are required to respect the privacy and confidentiality of others in the group.

AREA SERVED: Membership will be primarily drawn from the southern Indiana and Louisville (KY) Metro area.

MEETING LOCATION/TIMES: Meetings will be held monthly on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Directions to Meeting Location (From Louisville): Go north on I-65 to the 265-West exit. Take 265-West to the first exit, which is Charlestown Rd. Turn left on to Charlestown Rd. Travel 1.2 miles. The daycare is on the left. Kids First Child Care Ministry (2780 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana 47150—phone: 812-944-7777) is located in the lower level of the First Assembly of God Church. Enter the daycare through the double glass doors by the green fence surrounding the play area.

WHAT WE BELIEVE:

1. Race DOES matter. There are cultural and social ramifications of every racial identity. As parents adopting transracially, we need to understand these racial ramifications and be prepared to educate our children appropriately. These differences include both negative (prejudice; stereotypes) and positive (cultural characteristics) to which our children must be made aware.

2. Race DOES NOT matter. In areas of childcare, the need for proper discipline, the necessity of love and adequate nurturing, racial differences disappear. Every child has innate needs that are age-based, not racially based.

3. Race is not the ONLY thing that matters. A child’s self-esteem is derived from a healthy perception of himself from many facets of his life (gender; family pride; individual talents and abilities; affiliation with a town or country; religious identity). Healthy racial identity is only one of many areas that should be lovingly nurtured.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeff or Krisanne Roll, Parent Coordinators
621 East State Road 64
English, IN 47118
(812) 338-2115
jklumber.1@juno.com
Childplace Adoption Program
2420 East 10th St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone (812) 282-8248

Contact:
Traci Braun (tracib@childplace.org)