An innovative coffee company has teamed up with Adoptive Families Association of BC (AFABC), to raise awareness about adoption. In local grocery stores, supermarket chains and organic grocers throughout British Columbia during the month of November, coffee-drinkers can make a difference in a child’s life while buying a package of Ethical Bean Coffee.
During Adoption Awareness Month, wherever Ethical Bean is sold, shoppers will see a picture of a girl’s face on the shelves. Each bag of coffee has a bar code on it which, when scanned by an iPhone, will show a 35 second video of nineteen-year-old April O'Neil telling her adoption story. People can also view the video on YouTube and read April’s story on the Ethical Bean website.
Older Child Adoption is Campaign’s Focus
International and transracial adoption tend to take the limelight when adoption is discussed, but the aim of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness around older child adoption. At present, there are close to 1000 children available for adoption in BC, with only 150 of those being children under the age of two.
April was adopted three years ago as a teenager and she has since become a strong advocate of older child adoption. Her story brings home the fact that regardless of age, all children need a family to call their own.
“People who have not adopted children tend to think that means they have no adoption connection,” says Karen Madeiros, Executive Director of AFABC in a press release. “But almost everyone has an adoption connection, whether it’s a grandparent they didn’t know was adopted, an aunt they didn’t know was a birth mother or a cousin they weren’t aware is considering adoption.”
A portion of the coffee sales will be donated to AFABC to help support their existing programs and accomplish the agency’s vision of finding a family for every child.
Coffee Campaign Supports AFABC Programs
Recognized as a leading force in Canadian adoption, AFABC has many programs that bring the adoption community and waiting children together. The Ethical Bean partnership will help fund programs such as:
- Waiting Child Toll Free Line
- Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
- Speak-Out Youth Group
- Focus on Adoption magazine
AFABC also has regional contacts who can provide support and resources for adoptive families and waiting children. In celebration of adopted kids and their families, AFABC will be hosting family events, educational workshops and mentoring programs throughout the province during November.
By sharing April’s story as part of Adoption Awareness Month through the partnership campaign with Ethical Bean, AFABC hopes to raise funds for the organization, but more importantly raise awareness.
“This promotion will give shoppers a picture of where their money is going while they are standing in the supermarket aisle,” says Madeiros. “But even if they do not buy Ethical Bean, they’ll learn things about adoption we want people to know.”
Sources:
AFABC Press Release, November 1, 2010.
AFABC Website (accessed November 2, 2010).
Ethical Bean Coffee Website (accessed November 2, 2010).
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
