Below are resources for prospective adoptive parents, post-adoptive parents, and adoption professionals. If you are a professional whose services may be of interest or benefit to CAFFA, please fill out our form (click here) to have your organization considered to be listed or your information updated. Thank you for your interest!

Note: CAFFA does not endorse nor advocate any one organization or agency.

Adoption Agencies

Adoption Center of Illinois at Family Resource Center in Chicago offers a variety of programs for adoptive families, including domestic (traditional and agency-assisted) and homestudy services for any international or domestic adoption and the Waiting Child Services program to support families to adopt children from the foster care system. ACI also provides services for birthparents considering an adoption plan. Call (773) 334-2300 for information on upcoming seminars, or visit the website at www.adoptillinois.org.

The Adoption Center for Family Building is a nontraditional, Illinois and Indiana licensed agency specializing is U.S. adoptions. The agency helps clients to locate a child available for adoption and handles all the arrangements. Clients typically reach their adoption goals within six to 12 months. Services are available to individuals all over the United States, regardless of religion, age, length of marriage, or any other arbitrary criteria. For more information, call (847) 674-3231 or visit the website at www.centerforfamily.com.

Bethany Christian Services of Illinois offers information meetings, in various locations, on Domestic and International programs. As part of the largest adoption and orphan care agency in the country, Bethany offers adoption services in more than 15 countries.  For information visit www.bethany.org. To register for a meeting, visit www.bethany.org/chicago/information-meetings or call 708.385.4889.

Catholic Charities Intercountry Adoption program offers opportunities for beginning or expanding your families. It is an appealing option for both younger and older, single or married couples. The program allows families to adopt from 15 different countries, covering Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and different parts of Asia. Interested persons of any religious, racial, or ethnic background are invited to free presentations held monthly in Chicago. Call (312) 655-7086 to reserve your space.

Children’s Home + Aid offers the following services: domestic infant adoptions, international home studies, assistance with private adoptions, and foster care services that may convert to adoptions. Please call (312) 455-5200 in Chicago or (815) 962-1043 in Rockford. Or go to www.childrenshomeandaid.org.

The Cradle is a non-sectarian, nonprofit, licensed adoption agency that has been around for 100 years. The agency has been at the forefront of open adoption, African American adoption, and LGBTQIA+ placements. Programs include domestic adoption, intercountry, and agency-assisted. Services include home study, adoption education, adoption-competent therapy, post-adoption services and connection, and more. The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the country with an on-site Nursery, a safe place for infants to stay while their parents decide if adoption will be the plan for the child. Informational meetings are free.

Gateway Woods Family Services Illinois is a private, Christian adoption agency licensed in the state of Illinois. We provide adoption home studies, education, supportive services, pre and post placement services, and service referral for both domestic and international adoptions for families residing in Illinois. For domestic agency assisted adoption, we place children who are born in Illinois or other states and voluntarily relinquished for adoption into approved homes.

Holt Sunny Ridge offers free adoption information meetings to educate families about adoption options and opportunities. We also offer post adoption counseling and therapy to adoptive families and individuals, as well as educational workshops and support groups for adoptive families. Visit our website at www.holtsunnyridge.org for more information, or call (630) 754-4500.

Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois is a licensed non-profit agency with offices in several Chicagoland and downstate locations providing adoption services for those interested in identified adoption, interstate adoption, intercountry adoption, and post-placement services. For more information go to http://www.lcfs.org or for a personal telephone consultation, contact Laurie Lawton at (708) 771-7180 ext. 228.

MLJ Adoptions is a non-profit Hague Accredited International Adoption Agency based in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide ethical, compassionate and attentive adoption services to loving and committed families from across the United States and around the world. We’ve successfully placed over two hundred and fifty children through our international adoption programs in Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Samoa and Ukraine.

St. Mary’s Services is a full-service pregnancy counseling and adoption agency, DCFS licensed in Illinois, based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with a focus on serving Chicago and suburbs.

SOS Children’s Villages Illinois (SOSCVI) is a nonprofit child welfare and foster care agency under the under the umbrella of SOS Children’s Villages International, the largest non-denominational child welfare agency in the world. SOSCVI employs a unique model of foster care centered around keeping sibling groups together and employing the professional Foster Parent. SOSCVI Foster Parents commit to a job as a full-time Professional Foster Parent: they live in one of three Village communities in a single-family home, where they provide care to siblings. To learn more about Foster Parent opportunities, visit www.sosillinois.org.

Adoption Attorneys

Kimberly Backman is a practicing adoption attorney and represents both birthmothers and adoptive parents in the State of Illinois. Through the use of the Internet she has been very successful in locating birthmothers outside of Illinois and connecting them with clients within the Illinois. She can be reached at (630) 472-1750 or via e-mail at backim@aol.com.

The Center for Law and Social Work‘s (CLSW) mission is to create, preserve, and protect families. CLSW believes all families, regardless of financial circumstances, should have equal access to legal and social work services in order to remain stable and secure. Lawyers and Social Workers work together to help families in Cook County, IL with adoption, guardianship, legal back up planning, and clinical services for children and disabled adults.

Genie Miller Gillespie, Attorney at Law: I have over 20 years experience helping form families through adoption and guardianship and am a Member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. I am happy to work with you at any stage of the process. The child you are hoping to adopt may be a waiting child here in the U.S.; a child from overseas who has been brought home but needs final paperwork completed; a relative; or a child in the juvenile or foster care system. It may be a baby, a small child, or an older child who has already experienced a great deal of turmoil in his or her life and is waiting for a forever family. Whatever the situation, I can help. Main phone number: 312-332-6339. Organization email: gmg@illinoisadoptionlawyer.com. Organization website: www.illinoisadoptionlawyer.com

Law Offices of Michelle M. Hughes is a law firm that primarily practices in the area of adoption (agency, agency assisted, DCFS, related, private, and international readopts). Michelle Hughes is an adoption attorney, founder of Bridge Communications, Co-Chair of the Confidential Intermediary Advisory Council for DCFS, and a fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. For more information contact her at 312-857-7287 or hugheslaw@mindspring.com.

Law Offices of Sally Wildman, through principal Sally Wildman, is known for its primary focus on adoption law since 1985. The firm’s practice includes all types of adoption, consultations on assisted reproduction issues, and representation of adult adoptees. A member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Sally is a past chair of the American Bar Association Adoption Committee. The firm is based in Chicago with a Northbrook location. Contact Sally at (312) 726-9214 or s.wildman@adoptionattorneys.com, or go to www.SWildmanlaw.com.

Adoption Attorney Sheila A. Maloney handles many types of adoptions, including: private, agency, agency-assisted, interstate, recognition of foreign decrees, related (step-parent) and DCFS adoptions. For over 25 years, she has represented adoptive parents and birth parents with their adoption plans. She is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA) and the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAARTA). She can be reached at630.512.8400 or stmesq@msn.com. To learn more about Sheila, please visit her website at www.sheilamaloneylaw.com.

Law Office of Denise Patton is a law office devoted to adoption law. Denise Patton is an adoption attorney, adoptive parent, and member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. She represents adoptive parents in all types of adoptions. For more information, visit her website at www.growyourfamily.netor call her for a free phone consult at (847) 925-9072.

Sara Kahn Wool is committed to representing families through the adoption process. As a CAFFA and Illinois DCFS Statewide Adoption Attorney Panel Member, Sara connects with clients seeking to grow their families through related, private agency, international and foster parent adoptions. http://www.familymediationandlaw.com847.282.5261, or sara@familymediationandlaw.com

Shelley B. Ballard has devoted her law practice to adoption after adopting her oldest child over 25 years ago. She is active in legislative efforts to improve adoption in Illinois and is a frequent author of adoption-related articles. She has twice chaired the Chicago Bar Association Adoption Law Committee, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and a Leading Lawyers in adoption. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Loyola University School of Law. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University and cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law.  http://www.sballardlaw.com312-981-0272, or sb@sballardlaw.com

Adoption Consultants

The Adoption Consultancy is an unbiased resource serving pre-adoptive families by providing them with the education, information, and guidance they need to safely adopt a domestic newborn, usually within 3 to 12 months. It also works with clients considering international adoption. For more information, call (813) 681-6232 or visit www.TheAdoptionConsultancy.com.

GIFT Family Services is an adoption coaching firm providing support before, during and after adoption. Coaches are certified and also adoptive parents. Focus areas include pre-adoption preparation, Adoption-attunement* practices, healthy attachment habits, and trauma-informed parenting. Services may be by phone, in person, or via video conferencing wherever YOU are. GIFT coaches have presented at many national adoption conferences. Check out the website GiftFamilyServices.com for weekly blogs and monthly podcasts.  Or call Joann at (312) 576-5755 for more information.

Let It Be Us recruits foster and adoptive parents for children in Illinois foster care. Of the 18,000 children in Illinois foster care, 54% never return home, and those are adoption opportunities that change the outcome of the lives of these children. We manage the Heart Gallery of Illinois, the State’s photo listing of children awaiting adoption from foster care.

RG Adoption Consulting works with hopeful adoptive parents across the United States to educate, guide, and hold their hand through the domestic adoption process. A recent adoptive mother herself, Rebecca Gruenspan provides comprehensive consultation and education services created to provide a deeper understanding of the domestic adoption process, helping you build your family safely and quickly.

Adoption Counseling

Adoptive Families Connected Support & Educational Group for Waiting & Adoptive Families offers presentations and discussions on the second Thursday of the month, 6:30 to 8 p.m., in Oak Park. Childcare is provided at no cost. Sponsored by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Contact Elizabeth Thomas-Colwell at (312) 949-4811 or Elizabeth.Thomas-Colwell@lssi.org.

Alefiyah Lindo, Clinical Social Work/Therapist specializes in working with children, adolescents and families/blended families. Clients see her for various issues including school related stress/anxiety, anger, depression, parenting difficult behaviors & planning for life after high school. We are all faced with challenges at different points in our lives and therapy can be a powerful tool to explore the changes you want to make. She uses Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Emotions Focused Therapy as her fundamental treatment approaches. Click here for more info.

The BEAT (Beginning to Explore Adoption Together)A place for adopted teens to discover, connect and share their voice.  We created this site to give adopted teens a chance to discover more about adoption, connect with one another online, express thoughts and feelings around adoption and hear from others with similar experiences. It’s a place for you to share your voice.  www.AdoptionLearningPartners.org/beat  For more information, send an e-mail to info@AdoptionLearningPartners.org or go to www.adoptionlearningpartners.org.

The CAKE Village is a nurturing environment that immerses children in the culture of Africa. We emphasize language, etiquette, customs, creative visual arts, performing arts and more. Our mission is to foster an enriched, positive connection between all children and Africa. In particular, children in the African Diaspora, children of busy African parents, and even children who have been adopted from Africa can use this medium to relate to their African heritage. Contact info: 611 East Main Street, East Dundee, Illinois 60118; Phone: [224] 699-9968; email: info@thecakevillage.com; Website: www.thecakevillage.com

The Center for Lifelong Adoption Support at The Cradle is a valuable resource for any individual touched by adoption. Our mission is to provide a continuum of support to birth and adoptive parents, adopted persons and families as they live, learn and grow.  We offer many different post adoption support services to anyone touched by adoption, including background and search informational consultations, counseling sessions with adoption-competent therapists, and parenting workshops. Find the services that you need when you need them. For more information: https://www.cradle.org/lifelong-post-adoption-support-center

Individual and Family Connection (IFC Counseling): At IFC we have several therapists who specialize in trauma and attachment therapy. Our work with adopted children incorporates specialized training in Theraplay, Trust Based Relational Intervention and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Parent support is considered a crucial component of treatment, as we know it is extremely difficult to parent a child with a history of attachment trauma. We also offer pre-adoption counseling for parents. Pre-adoption counseling can be a source of support as you experience the emotional roller coaster of waiting for your child. 773-270-0469  Email: contact@ifccounseling.com  Website: www.ifccounseling.com

Heart of the Matter Seminars. Since 1998 Heart of the Matter Seminars has been providing engaging, informative and empowering educational experiences with a focus on children who are at-risk.  Heart of the Matter Education | 816-246-1100 | info@heartofthemattereducation.com http://www.heartofthemattereducation.com 1508 SW White Ridge | Lee’s Summit, MO 6408

Hephzibah Children’s Association‘s work in foster care, group home care and adoption is about transforming lives! We bring to Hephzibah, on a daily basis, a deep passion for creating an environment where children can grow into beautiful, strong, caring, competent members of society!  Contact information: Mary Anne Brown, Executive Director; http://www.hephzibahhome.org ; 708-649-7100 ;  1144 Lake Street 5th Floor, Oak Park, IL 60301

Hope Reins Professional Counseling – Hope Reins offers adoption sensitive professional counseling to all members of the adoption triad struggling with issues related to placement. We provide both office and Equine assisted therapy by licensed professionals that are skilled at helping hurting members of the triad find hope and healing for the future. Whatever their circumstances – unresolved grief and loss, attachment and bonding, relationships and intimacy, and a myriad of other issues – we are here to help. We accept some insurance and are currently accepting clients in both our Lake Zurich and Bloomingdale office locations. Jan Collins – 773-219-1773 – jan_collins@alumni.baylor.edu – http://www.hope-reins.com

Kay Holler, LCSW, provides therapy for adopted children and their families. She uses a combination of approaches, including: Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Trust Based Relational Therapy, and Brain Gym. Kay also does public speaking about adoption and parenting issues. In the past, Kay served as co-leader for the India section of Hands Around the World culture camp. She has 4 teenage and young adult children, 2 by birth and 2 by adoption. Kay’s office is on the northwest side of Chicago. Website: www.kayholler.com Phone number: 773-583-3641 x1 Email: kayholler1@gmail.com

Holt Sunny Ridge provides individual and family therapeutic services offered by Supervisor of Clinical Services Pam Shepard, MSW, LCSW. Other services include support groups for adoptees and adoptive parents, workshops for adoptive parents, CEU/CPDU training for LSW/LCSW and workshops for school staff on various adoption related topics. See their upcoming workshops at http://www.holtsunnyridge.org/. Therapy and workshop fees vary. Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois and United Healthcare accepted.  Contact Pam Shepard at pams@holtsunnyridge.org or 630-754-4522 for more information.

House Calls Counseling is Chicagoland’s premier provider of attachment-focused, trauma-informed psychotherapy for adoptive families in the comfort of the home. We help young people, especially those who have been adopted, to experience the joys of healthy connections with those who care for them, and we help their caregivers to more effectively promote healing in their child or youth through therapeutic parenting. We focus on treating children and youth, especially those who struggle with behavioral and emotional problems related to attachment and trauma in early childhood – experiences which are now recognized as Developmental Trauma and Reactive Attachment Disorder.  Our diverse team of friendly, professional psychotherapists uses Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy®, Theraplay ® and many other approaches to provide the highest quality psychotherapy to our clients. In addition to our psychotherapy services, we are pound to offer workshops, trainings, and annual Parenting in SPACE conference. To contact: please call 847-256-2000x103 or e-mail intake@hcbh.com or visit the website: www.houseCallsCounseling.com.

Midwest Adoption Center provides a wide range of services to children, adults, and families touched by foster care or adoption. Programs include clinical services such as individual, marital, and family counseling. MAC also provides search and reunion services through two programs delivered under contract with DCFS. Offices are located in Des Plaines and Long Grove. For more information, call (847) 298-9096 or visit the website at http://www.macadopt.org.

Colleen Norwell, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults and families who have been touched by adoption. As an adoptee who has also worked in the field of adoption supporting fellow adoptees, adoptive parents, as well as birth parents at varying stages of the adoption and search and reunion process, Colleen is familiar with the variety of clinical issues that members of the adoption triad can face.

With a caring, supportive, strengths-based focus, and a touch of humor, Colleen uses a variety of approaches and interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness and Harm Reduction Strategies in order to help clients achieve their goals, feel empowered and realize their full potential. Colleen works in Naperville, Yorkville and Oak Brook, IL.

On Your Feet Foundation provides counseling and support to birth parents after an adoption. For more information, call (847) 433-7820 or go to www.oyff.org.

Krista Sherinian, LCSW works at Dunham Counseling. She has been trained by prominent neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen in how to personalize treatment to different brain types, trained by national expert in guided imagery Bellaruth Naparstek, Carolyn Myss in mindfulness, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (teaching clients to tap on acupressure points connected to various emotions). She can provide support for issues related to infertility, life transition, various styles of parenting, and adoption using approaches such as Love & Logic, 1,2,3 Magic, play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused.  Se Habla Espanol! Ms. Sherinian received training in Spanish medical/psychiatric interpretation in the U.S. and the Instituto Falcon in Guanajuato, Mexico. 1516 Legacy Circle, Ste. 108, Naperville IL 60563. (630) 799-0100. http://dunhamcounseling.com

Adoption Education

Adoptee Bridge is an adoptee-led organization located in Minnesota. We assist adoptees to learn about their birth heritage & culture, homeland, and adoption story, by providing supportive intermediary services, promoting positive self-esteem amongst transracial youth through mentorship programs, and by educating and fostering a supportive circle of transracial adoptees, their families, friends, and communities. While we are headquartered in Minnesota, several of our services are available nationwide. Website: http://www.adopteebridge.org ; Email: info@adopteebridge.org; Phone: 651-491-9661

Adoption Learning Partners offers web-based educational adoption resources for professionals, parents, adopted individuals, and the families that love them. In addition, Adoption Learning Partners offers:

Adoptive Families Magazine, the award-winning national adoption magazine, is the leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption. www.adoptivefamiles.com

Bridge Communications offers training programs for families, agencies, and association meetings. General adoption issues and transracial adoptions (including international) are covered for prospective adoptive families as well as families who have already adopted transracially who want practical ideas now that their children are past infancy. Call for information at (312) 316-5505, or e-mail hughesbridge@mindspring.com.

The DuPage County FASD Parent Education and Advocacy Group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at Edwards Hospital Education Center in Naperville. Meetings are free. For more information, call (815) 462-4273 or send an e-mail to acharate@trinity-services.org.

Fostering Families Today is a highly-quality, bimonthly resource for foster parents and child welfare professionals across the country. Fostering Families Today is an easy way to solve many problems your agency or organization may currently be facing. So contact Fostering Families Today now to find out how it can help the foster parents in your life. Bulk discount rates are available!  https://fosteringfamiliestoday.com/  213.265.7707

Kate Powers is a healer who does integrative emotional release bodywork and teaches mindfulness, self-love and trauma informed yoga classes. She also does coaching + mentoring with those impacted my adoption on the adoption journey. Kate is reunited Korean adoptee who grew up in Missouri. She has been working with children, trauma, and emotional/physical healing for 12 years. For more information, please visit itskatepowers.com and/or email: itskatepowers@gmail.com.

The Adoption Preservation Program of Metropolitan Family Services offers post-adoption counseling services free of charge by licensed professionals who understand the dynamics of a family created by adoption, whether domestic, international, or relative adoption. They are a private, nonsectarian, nonprofit agency. For more information, contact Jackie Wolfe at (630) 784-4819.

Reaching Out thru International Adoption offers free symposiums on adoption every other month. Reaching Out specializes in adoption from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. For more information, contact (314) 971-3073 or wieschhaus@yahoo.com

Medical / Professional Services

Adoption Pediatrics, Todd Ochs, MD, reviews adoption referrals, offers pre-adoption consultations, post-adoption evaluations, and continuing care. He consults with local pediatricians and family doctors. He also sees and advocates for foster children and those affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. He has spoken on local, national and international stages, on adoption, foster care, and fetal alcohol syndrome. He can be reached at his pediatric office at 872-208-6257, or at his home office at 773-907-8864.

Integrity Clinical Consulting and Training – Krista Woods, M.S.W., LCSW, (formerly McCoy) is President and primary therapist for Integrity Clinical Consulting & Training (ICCT), and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in IL. She is also a biracial, transracial adoptee from foster care with over 23 years of experience the field of foster care/adoption and mental health; and a respected leader and trainer in adoption. ICCT offers individual therapy to children, teens, parents and families. ICCT can also provide services in clients’ homes. ICCT offers parent coaching via phone, in office or at home.  You can reach ICCT at socialworkerkrista@gmail.com, www.integrityclinicalconsulting.com, or (708) 794-6511.

Rebecca Nelson, Ph.D. at Evanston Hospital with NorthShore University HealthSystem – Rebecca I. Nelson, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialty in psychodiagnostics from infancy through adolescence. She assesses for challenges and disorders children might have in the areas of broad development, learning/academics, attention, speech/language, and social functioning with whole child treatment plans. Dr. Nelson has worked with adoptees and their families for over 20+ years, and is also an adoptee. She appreciates pre-adoptive histories and adoption related matters can add complexity and challenge. To schedule a post-adoption evaluation or parent consult regarding your child, please contact the Developmental Follow-Up Clinic Mon-Weds: 847.570.2208.  http://www.northshore.org (click “Find a Doctor”: enter “Nelson, Rebecca”)

The Red Thread provides orphans with medical care.  They are a 501(c)3 charitable organization which offers a variety of unique gift items for sale and conducts fundraisers to support their mission.

The Theraplay Institute: Theraplay is an adoption-competent, trauma informed family therapy developed in the 1960s for Head Start and now practiced internationally.  We have a clinic in Evanston, and refer to Theraplay-trained therapists in your area. We also offer workshops on Therapeutic Parenting for Adopted Children.

The University of Chicago Adoption Center provides adoptive families with a wide range of services including pre-adoption assessments, pre-adoption travel clinic visits, post-adoption developmental, behavioral, & medical evaluations, and referrals to specialized care. For more information, call 773-702-6169 or visit us at https://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/specialties/adoption/.  

Other (Creative Arts, etc.)

Bills Tax Service is a family owned and operated tax service. We specialize in helping adoptive families claim the Adoption Tax Credit. We speak and exhibit nationwide to explain to professionals and families how the Adoption Tax Credit can help them. We have been blessed by adoption and want to help other families. Website: www.billstaxservice.com Phone number: 618-532-7223 Email: becky@billstax2.com Contact: Becky Wilmoth, EA

The Gift of Adoption Fund is a national 501(c) 3 that inspires adoptions by giving grants that put adoption in reach: in reach for the 140 million children worldwide in need of families, for qualified parents yearning to adopt, and for those of us who want to do something concrete to move a child from a dire situation into a life of hope and promise. For more information, go to www.giftofadoption.org.

Kaleidoscope Culture Camp offers a week-long (primarily indoor) day camp for children entering Kindergarten through 10th grade that have joined their family through adoption or foster care. Siblings are very welcome to also participate.  Parents are encouraged to volunteer that week as KCC is completely volunteer-run. Programs most years include:  African/African-American, China, Eastern European, and Latin American. All of the programs are run simultaneously in one school building (in Roselle, Illinois) with a separate coordinator for each cultural group.  Each summer’s curriculum is a bit varied, but programs can include: hands-on cultural classes, ethnic cooking, arts & crafts, native art/music/dance, language, martial arts, and ethnic games.  Kaleidoscope Culture Camp provides a fun, safe environment for children that share a common heritage to form lasting friendships, learn about their rich heritage and traditions while creating and reinforcing positive identities.  For more information on camp or registration, please email us:  CultureCamp@caffa.org.

KAtCH was built to support, lead, and develop the adult Korean adoptee community in Chicago.     In addition to this focus, they are also passionate about building bridges between families and parents of adoptees, the Korean American community in Chicago, and the international Korean adoptee community. www.katchicago.com.

Korean Culture Center of Chicago The mission of the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago (KCCoC) is to promote and organize Korean cultural, arts, educational, and social activities.  KCCoC aims to establish a venue where all Korean Americans and other groups can participate in programs and events that celebrate Korean culture and heritage. Website: http://www.kccoc.org/

Camp Kupugani Multicultural Summer Camp – Less than two hours from Chicago, Camp Kupugani–in separate girls-only, boys-only, and blended sessions–provides a multicultural camp focusing on communication skills and fun, so children aged 7 to 15 expand comfort zones. Our campers learn how to celebrate and appreciate identity of self and others, and celebrate and appreciate difference.  campkupugani.com

LoveMoves.Us – Support group with eight different locations in the Chicagoland area that meets once a month.  For more information, click LoveMoves.Us

Ni Hao Chinese Learning Center – With more then 15 years of experience in one on one tutoring and teaching for group programs in the U.S.A, Ni Hao Chinese Learning Center are committed to providing all of our students the most cutting-edge teaching environment, best-in-class learning tools and innovative materials to master mandarin Chinese in an efficient, flexible, and easy way.  With the advent of globalization, Mandarin Chinese has become an increasingly important foreign language to learn in elementary, middle, and high schools. They help home schoolers succeed on Chinese subject SAT, and AP exams when they start applying for colleges, and the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) test if they plan to study at a Chinese University.  Call 630-534-0916 or 630-909-9264 to discuss the teaching programs.

Noonday Collection – Noonday Collection is a business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. When you host a trunk show you are creating a marketplace for artisans businesses and dignified jobs in vulnerable communities. Host an Adoption Trunk Show to celebrate and support an adoptive family! Adoption Trunk Shows help raise funds for a family’s qualifying adoption expenses. We donate 10% of sales at an Adoption Trunk Show in cash to help the adoptive family bring their child home. cindyalvarez.noondaycollection.com | cindyalvarez.noonday@gmail.com | 765-620-2803

PEAR – Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform.  PEAR started as a grassroots group of adoptive and prospective adoptive parents who came together to discuss the lack of a unified, respected voice for adoptive families. Their mission is to provide a voice for prospective and adoptive parents.  www.pear-now.org

The Ties Program is a travel program for adoptive families who would like to visit their child’s country of birth, and travel in a supportive environment with other adoptive families. For more than a decade, they have specialized in customized international adoption journeys that are nurturing, “adoption aware”, child centered and fun!Visit www.adoptivefamilytravel.com