A Safe Space

Author: Linda Schellentrager

As she continues her story, another birth/first mother in the circle passes along a box of Kleenex.

With each hand, there is softness as it was shared through five or six adults on its way. It takes less than a minute, but when the box arrives in her lap, she takes one and dries her eyes. She composes herself while no other words were uttered. Then, she speaks again. “Thank you for providing a space to talk about this.”

“Since 1988, and throughout the growth of Adoption Network Cleveland, this face-to-face support and sharing by those who are on an adoption journey has been an integral part of the services we provide,” says Executive Director Betsie Norris. “The best way to learn about adoption, whether you are touched by it or interested in learning more, is to hear first-hand from those who have lived it.”

On Friday, March 18 to Sunday, March 20, 2016, on the occasion of Ohio’s one year anniversary of opening adoptees’ birth certificates, Adoption Network Cleveland is hosting the inaugural conference “Annual Adoption Gathering” It’s open to all adult adoptees, birth/first parents, adoptive parents, professionals and allies. It will include a keynote with Jean Strauss, nine break-out sessions and two award-winning theatrical productions; Biohazard: A Relative Comedy and The Good Adoptee.

A total of eight Adoption Network Cleveland General Meetings are held in-person each month in various locations around Ohio and one is offered online. Even in this fast-paced world of activities and internet communities, the attendance of the in-person General Meetings is growing. A reason for this is shared by Becky Drinnen, a meeting co-facilitator in Dayton:

“The opportunity to share a hug with a fellow adoptee, to see the joy on a mother’s face when she talks about reuniting with her daughter, or to pass a tissue to an adoptee who contacted her mother with no response is a type of connection that just isn’t the same when experienced online. As a co-facilitator of the Dayton support and discussion group, I see the power of that face-to-face connection every month. I’m glad that, in a time when
so much of our interaction is virtual, that we still have opportunities to sit in a room with others who understand the struggles, joys, and challenges of our adoption journey.”

This opportunity to connect face-to-face with others who are also walking an adoption journey is priceless. Wherever you are, seek out that safe space.

For more information, click here: http://bit.ly/ancAnnualGatheringDetails or go to: AdoptionNetwork.org.


A Safe Space Author: Linda Schellentrager As she continues her story, another birth/first mother in the circle passes along a box of Kleenex. With each hand, there is softness as it was shared through five or six adults on its way. It takes less than a minute, but when the box arrives in her lap, she takes one and dries her eyes. She composes herself while no other words were uttered. Then, she speaks again. “Thank you for providing a space to talk about this.” “Since 1988, and throughout the growth of Adoption Network Cleveland, this face-to-face support and sharing by those who are on an adoption journey has been an integral part of the services we provide,” says Executive Director Betsie Norris. “The best way to learn about adoption, whether you are touched by it or interested in learning more, is to hear first-hand from those who have lived it.” On Friday, March 18 to Sunday, March 20, 2016, on the occasion of Ohio’s one year anniversary of opening adoptees’ birth certificates, Adoption Network Cleveland is hosting the inaugural conference “Annual Adoption Gathering” It’s open to all adult adoptees, birth/first parents, adoptive parents, professionals and allies. It will include a keynote with Jean Strauss, nine break-out sessions and two award-winning theatrical productions; Biohazard: A Relative Comedy and The Good Adoptee. A total of eight Adoption Network Cleveland General Meetings are held in-person each month in various locations around Ohio and one is offered online. Even in this fast-paced world of activities and internet communities, the attendance of the in-person General Meetings is growing. A reason for this is shared by Becky Drinnen, a meeting co-facilitator in Dayton: “The opportunity to share a hug with a fellow adoptee, to see the joy on a mother’s face when she talks about reuniting with her daughter, or to pass a tissue to an adoptee who contacted her mother with no response is a type of connection that just isn’t the same when experienced online. As a co-facilitator of the Dayton support and discussion group, I see the power of that face-to-face connection every month. I’m glad that, in a time when so much of our interaction is virtual, that we still have opportunities to sit in a room with others who understand the struggles, joys, and challenges of our adoption journey.” This opportunity to connect face-to-face with others who are also walking an adoption journey is priceless. Wherever you are, seek out that safe space. For more information, click here: http://bit.ly/ancAnnualGatheringDetails or go to: AdoptionNetwork.org.
Newsletter - February 2016