As one of the top three provinces in Canada for adoption, BC is on the forefront of raising adoption awareness throughout the country. Through events, educational forums and family-friendly activities, adoption organizations are informing the public while also celebrating adoptive families.
Fundraisers to Promote Adoption Awareness in BC
With over 900 children currently waitlisted for adoption within BC, adoption organizations throughout the province are focusing on raising awareness of older child adoption for November 2010. The Adoptive Family Association of BC (AFABC) is spearheading many of the province’s events including:
- Wine in the Sky – a gala event at Vancouver Lookout including wine and food sampling, as well as an auction.
- Partnership with Ethical Bean Coffee – a portion of the proceeds from sales of Ethical Bean Coffee will be donated to AFABC programs.
- Hop on Board the Train – a train ride for kids at Metropolis, Metrotown that raises funds for AFABC throughout December 2010, with a special fundraising date of December 11.
The proceeds from these events will go to assist with the AFABC’s Waiting Child Toll Free Line, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, Speak-Out Youth Group, and Focus on Adoption magazine.
Workshops and Panels During Adoption Awareness Month
Education is the key to reaching out the public and adoptive parents are the best advocates of adoption. To help people connected to or interested in adoption understand the unique issues of adoptive families, a birthmother’s panel is being hosted by Sunrise Adoption in Vancouver and AFABC is offering Adoption Cafés which are open to adoptive parents and professionals throughout the province.
Other workshops being offered by AFABC throughout November 2010 include:
- Parenting Your Adopted Teen
- Transracial Parenting
- Forever Families and Places Conference
- Attachment Toolkit Series
- Learning and Behaviour Difficulties
Some of the workshops require pre-registration and costs may be involved. See the AFABC event listings on their Website for more information and details on the workshops.
Family Focused Events for Adoption Awareness Month
During November, AFABC is hosting several events throughout the province that focus on the adoptive family. The events encourage adoptive families to connect and celebrate their status by having activities for all ages that include cooking, making crafts and playing games.
In addition, Family Services Adoption Agency is having a movie morning at Fifth Avenue Cinemas in Vancouver where adoptive families can pre-purchase tickets to see Martian Child (2007), an adoption themed movie.
Adoption Awareness Month in BC is full of fundraising events, educational programs and family-focused activities that aim to inform the public and to also celebrate adoptive families. For more information on raising adoption awareness throughout Canada, read Adoption Awareness Month in Canada and and Adoption Awareness Month Events in Ontario.
Sources:
Adoptive Family Association of BC Website (accessed November 9, 2010)
Canada Adopts! Website (accessed November 9, 2010)
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
