Congratulations
to Ginny and Adrian and big brother Matthew on the arrival of Justin
David; Glenn and Mary and big brother Christopher on the arrival of
Marissa Janine; Jonathan and Luke on the arrival of Deanna May; to
Angela on the arrival We rejoice with all our families on the good health of your children and the love that you will share in the years to come. The birthparents with whom we have had the honor of working so far this year have been extraordinary men and women. They have made their adoption plans in many states including: Indiana, Minnesota (3), California, Ohio, New York, Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee, Massachusetts (3), Colorado and Washington State, and other states.
Many of our birthparents and adoptive parents have shown a lot of trust and openness with each other and have created warm relationships with them. Blessings to all.
Due
to an increased number of placements and Full Circle Adoptions completed 15 placements in 1997, 16 in 1998 and 30 as of September, 1999. We are delighted to be helping more birth and adoptive families. Birthparents have found that they can reach us by phone and pager at any time of day or night and this has proved particularly helpful when they make an adoption plan close to the time of birth.
Most of the birthparents (60%) placing with Full Circle families are already parents. Most birthparents have 1-2 children, some have three and, in at least one case, a family were already caring for 5 children when they made an adoption plan for a sixth. We continue to explore ways to help birthfamilies reassure their other children of their safe place in their family and to help the other children integrate the fact of the family's adoption planning. One parent worked with Full Circle in developing a book for her four year old. Full Circle has also noticed that there've been three cases where the birthparents were older than the adoptive parents. There were tender moments at the time of placement, when the birthparents comforted the adoptive parents with regard to new parent anxieties. The birthparents with whom we have had the honor of working are loving and capable parents who feel that their limits are reached. They courageously make an adoption plan for an unexpected pregnancy. In response to the efforts of birthparents to find loving homes for their newborns, Full Circle has noticed that most adoptive families who do not have any children are matched with birthparents within approximately six months. This same time period can be about nine months for families with one or more children. We estimate that time period between a profile being shown and a match being achieved is between 6 and 18 months to account for the possibility of variations on this pattern. No adoption agency can promise particular timing or outcomes, because birthparents must select adoptive families and make the ultimate decision for themselves.
November
20, 1999 noon-5 pm Hayrides
~ The "Suzuki Strings" ~ Sing-a-long with Sarah Pirtle
Full Circle clinicians have many years of experience in adoption. Our clinicians provide counseling and assistance to birthparents during their decision-making process and assist prospective adoptive parents with consultations, homestudies and support during the adoptive process. This column will serve to introduce you to the clinicians who help Full Circle families.
Mrs. rose Landers & the "Suzuki Strings," (music), Michael Wald (magician), Kinkos (letters/flyers), Roy Wheelock (hay rides), Pacific Printing (T-shirts), the Northampton Unitarian Society (the "place"!) and donations of raffle gift certificates: East Heaven Hot Tubs; Vermont Country Deli; Fitzwilly's restaurant; Gazebo clothing store; Fresh Pasta Co.; Mulberry Tree children's toy and clothing store; Broadside Books.
As an avocation, Betty Rae is an intrepid trekker, having climbed Kilimanjaro, the Towers of Paine and Fitzroy in Patagonia, the mountains in Nepal. She is currently climbing the Inca Trail to Matchu Pinchu. "Mountains," says Betty, "make me feel truly a part of the universe; insignificant, but a part of the entire world around us."
Thank you to these recent contributors! Betty
Rae & Martin J. Poppo Charitable Fund
If
you would like to contribute to The Adoption Assistance Fund call
the Full Circle Adoptions office at (413)587-0007.
Child sizes: S, M, L - $10 Please include $3 for postage and handling and indicate size and color.. Send to: Full Circle Adoptions, 38 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
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Note: We are happy to send you a hard copy of the newsletter at your request. Expectant Parent Request for Services - Adoptive Families You Can Choose - EP Testimonials - EP FAQ - Expectant Parent Center This site Copyright 2007 by Marla Allisan JD, LICSW. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Full Circle Adoptions.. To request permission for reuse please send us an e-mail. |
of Marissa Nicole; Peggy and Alison (and their 7 children!) on the
arrival of Kenyatta (welcome home!); Dave and Jane on the arrival
of Christopher; Diane and Bill (and big brother Billy) on the arrival
of Michael; Mary and Jeff on the arrival of Bridget Anne; Susan and
Clint on the arrival of Samantha; Amy and Tim on the arrival of Jake;
to Yvette and big brother Travis on the arrival of Amanda; Dale and
Mike on the arrival of Mary Katherine; Cindy and Frank on the arrival
of Jamie Peter; Molly and Mark on the arrival of Ella; Joan and David
on the arrival of Kurt; Marie and Scott on the arrival of Lillian
Anastasia and Scott Philip Jr. (from Russia!); Jill and Flynn on the
arrival of Liam David. 
We
continue to be impressed by the devotion and support many birthfathers
have given to birthmothers during a time that is both physically
and spiritually challenging. A number of birthfathers have courageously
considered whether or
not they wished to cooperate with a birthmother's adoption plan based
on a significant part of their life experience: A number of men who
felt that fathers or other male figures had "abandoned"
them when they were children, closely examined whether or not an adoption
plan would feel the same. This important consideration prompted communication
between the birth and adoptive families (particularly the birth and
adoptive fathers).
Many
men felt reassured that their child would be raised to know about
them, about how much they genuinely care and that they'd made a loving
plan, often with many mixed emotions, and that they'd not abandoned
them of communication that was pledged between the birth and adoptive
families, a number of birthfathers felt confident that they could
make a loving plan and address the issues that had been important
in light of their own personal histories.
matches,
this is a particularly good time for prospective adoptive families
to consider working with Full Circle. Please contact us for a free
and private orientation. Birthparents should know, as well, that we've
added social work staff to be increasingly available to you when you
need us. As always, we welcome ideas for added programs that meet
birth and adoptive families needs. 
We
have also noticed that many times birthparents' relationship became
stronger after pulling through the experience of making an adoption
plan together. In several instances, the birthparents have married
or moved in together and increased their commitment to each other
within the year after the placement.
The
Birthparent Support Group is now meeting on alternating Monday
and Wednesday evenings to accommodate the schedules of birthparents
who are in school or are working. Please call for the exact dates
and times. We look forward to seeing you then.
Please
Note: Folks who've attended the Support Group have included individuals
who placed their children recently as well as those who’ve placed
many years ago; folks who've placed through Full Circle and through
other agencies. We welcome everyone including folks who decided to
parent! Thanks for your courage in considering this group! Hope you'll
keep coming! 
We
want to welcome Pamela McConnell MSW to Full Circle. Pam grew
up in New Jersey and moved to New England to attend the University
of Massachusetts where she earned her BA in Psychology. She is a graduate
of the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Her graduate
work in Child and Family Services focused on relationships in interracial
families. At Full Circle, Pam is particularly involved in birthparent
counseling and interstate adoption case management. For fun, Pam enjoys
gardening and photography. Welcome Pam!
...
to the following businesses, institutions and people who made contributions
of time, space, expertise and talent to help make our first annual,
"Celebrate Adoption!" day a huge success. Please patronize
our supporters:
Betty
Rae Poppo had been a member of the Board of Full Circle Adoptions
from its inception in 1997. She has a financial service business in
Springfield, Massachusetts: BRP Financial Services. Betty Rae has
been married for forty-two years, has three daughters, three son-in-laws,
and seven grandchildren, two of whom are adopted. Therefore, she understands
the importance of matching children with caring homes. 
On
July 1, 1999, a new Massachusetts law came into effect. The new statute
allows birthparents or adoptive parents to request that agreements
for post-placement communication (e.g. frequency of photos and letter
updates) be established as a separate decree from the adoption finalization
decree. No one is required to request this, but this is considered
an option. If, for some reason, birth or adoptive parents do not follow-through
with the communication plan, following placement, they can ask a Judge
to order this. It expressly does not affect the validity and finality
of the adoption decree. Birth and adoptive parents who have made a
written agreement about communication have found that making the expectations
clear in writing can contribute to a feeling of safety and clarity
for all.
Thank
you to families and individuals who have contributed to this fund.
We are hoping to create a fund which will have sufficient
resources to provide revolving loans and outright grants for adoption
expenses for families of modest means. Thank you for considering
this. Please remember that any contributions are deductible
as charitable contributions!
Our
100% cotton T-shirts are available in 4 vibrant colors:
bright blue, yellow, bright pink and lavender. Net proceeds
will be directed to the adoption assistance fund. Please be
sure to state size with order.