ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Adoptive Family Support
Network 233 East Fulton, Suite 108, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. (616)458-7945.
www.afsn.org. A post-adoption focused organization serving the West Michigan area.
Chinese Culture Group of Greater Grand Rapids www.ccgggr.org. E-mail: info@cccgr.org. An educational and cultural group for families of adopted Chinese
children (pre- and post-adoption are welcome). A Families with Children from China (FCC) chapter.
Christian Advocates
For Adoption (CAFA) P.O. Box 364, Hudsonville, MI 49426. (616)669-0655. www.cafadopt.org. Inspiring Christians to adopt, educating the church, and providing a system of fundraising for Christians
working to adopt.
Families For International
Children P.O. Box 2053, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. www.fficgr.org Serving and linking adoptive families through educational, cultural
and social activities. Annual Heritage Camp in June, which includes an African-American camp, along with camps for internationally
adopted children and siblings.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Parent Support Group Meets 1st Monday of the month from 7:00-9:00
p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 3215 4 Mile Rd. NE, Grand Rapids, MI. (4 Mile Road and E. Beltline). Call Janet
Dunning (616)532-3689 or Nancy Halberstadt (616)874-8735 for more information.
GIFTS (Giving International Families Transitional Support) A support group to help families of internationally
adopted children. Meets second and fourth Thrusdays of the month at 1338 Baldwin in Jenison, MI. For more information
contact Lori at ltroop@earthlink.net.
Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren Support Group Located at Cherry Street Health Services. Meetings held 1st teen Monday
of the month, from 6-8pm. Snacks and discussion groups for grandparents and the children. Childcare provided for ages
1-12 and reservations for childcare are encouraged. Contact Mandy at mandym46@yahoo.com or (616)954-1991 x 203 for more information.
Lakeshore Chinese Culture
Group Contact: 616-392-5331. Meets at South Olive Christian Reformed Church, Holland, 7:00 pm, fourth Monday.
Ottawa Area Adoption Consortium Psychoeducation and support group for parents of challenging
adopted children between the ages of 2 and 12. Meetings are held two evenings a month and cover topics chosen by the
parents. Contact Bettye Jo Bell, MA, LLP for times and location at bettyejob@gmail.com or (616)355-7720.
Panda
Pals is for children who were adopted from China and attending 3rd grade through junior high. The
focus is to provide the opportunity to learn about their birth country and culture in an age appropriate and fun environment
where it is safe to explore adoption and family issues, discuss and develop skills to handle discrimination, develop healthy
peer relationships, and make a difference in their home country. Click here for more information.
Redeeming Hearts is a post-adoption prayer and support ministry that meets
twice a month in Jenison. Visit www.redeeminghearts.info for more information.
SAFE (Singles Adopting from Everywhere): West Michigan group
of single adoptive parents. Members are mostly from the Grand Rapids area and have adopted children from around the
world. If you are interested, please join their MISAFE Yahoo group and introduce yourself.
Transracial
Support Group Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. No meetings in November and December.
Contact Staci Sytsma (616)455-0225 or Lucy Bolter (616)532-4223 for location and more info.
