Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Philosophy and Program”
Posted by | Last updated November 17, 2017
By Katie R. Stallman, LICSW, CGE . Jim Gritter, a prominent open adoption pioneer, has inspired Open Adoption & Family Services to take a deeper look at our services and the education we impart to families through his latest book, “Hospitious Adoption”. In this, he deconstructs open adoption relationships and redefines them through the lens of hospitality. Since the goal …
Posted by | Last updated June 16, 2017
By Lindsey Martin, Counselor, LCSW. All relationships create opportunities to enhance our communication skills, but perhaps none more so than open adoption. Despite the trend in adoption towards openness, we have all encountered concerns about and arguments against open adoption. These arguments tend to be based on common myths and misconceptions and fueled by people’s fears. It can be difficult …
Posted by | Last updated May 12, 2017
By Shari Levine. “Hospitious Adoption”, Jim Gritter’s book has given our agency a new paradigm for exploring open adoption in greater depth. It has served as a beacon of hope, a light in the distance guiding us forward. Is his vision too idealistic? Not at all. We see these hospitious acts every day. In fact we’ve interviewed adoptive parents Michele …
Posted by | Last updated April 28, 2017
By Matt Dorbin and Ben Crandall. On a sunny weekend day, you’re most likely to find Matt, Ben, five-year-old Zachary, and almost-two Cordelia at the zoo. Cordelia adores animals of all shapes and sizes – she’s just as fascinated by the ducks as the tigers, and Zachary takes his big brother responsibilities very seriously, pointing out everything he sees to …
Posted by | Last updated April 18, 2017
By Peggy, Adoptive Grandparent. When merely in the telling I hear the story of my birth the question, Why? shudders through me. Abandonment hangs heavily on my neck, despite the tender arms that shelter me. But as I walk the open door to greet her, know her in my forming years, and more, the origin, my beginning fill me with …
Posted by | Last updated May 4, 2016
By Norm Levine, Adoptive Grandparent. Open, is among my favorite words. It carries special significance for me. Whether it be an open-arms, open-faced sandwich, an open-hearted person or a sign on a door. I have two personal reasons for embracing the word. When my youngest daughter was born deaf we set about to teach her how to lip-read and speak. …
Posted by | Last updated May 4, 2016
Open Adoption & Family Services is a non-profit, pro-choice agency that welcomes diversity. We provide an empowerment model to expectant parents. Pregnant women/couples are treated with dignity and respect as they explore all of their pregnancy options. They are empowered with extensive information so they can make the decision that feels best to them. Regardless of their choice, they receive …
