Waiting Family Meetings on the 1st & 3rd Friday of each month!

Updated information below

1)  East side gathering for waiting families!

The group formerly known as Third Friday is now called Hand in Hand, Education and Support for Adoptive Parents. In the past, most of the families who attended our gathering were families who had already adopted or were in the process of adopting internationally. Now we are focusing on the area of post adoption. Hand in Hand is for any adoptive family, domestic or international. We want to be able to learn as much as we can so that we can better help our children as they face different issues, no matter where they were born.

Please mark your calendars now for Friday, April 18th. Hand in Hand will meet in the Vance's home at 7:30pm. This group is open to all adoptive families, domestic and international. Childcare is provided and donations will be graciously accepted. For more information, please see www.hihadoptionsupport.org.

About the April 18th meeting: Many adoptees face the issue of reconciling their identity through their adoptive and birth families. Hand In Hand will be meeting this Friday night to watch and discuss the documentary entitled "First Person Plural." It has won several awards including one at the Sundance Film Festival. This should be enlightening to all adoptive parents.

Location address:

Ron and Kim Vance
1700 Presidents Dr.
Lawrenceville, GA. 30043
770-962-2073                                                                           

Questions?  Please contact Sue Mathis, suemathis@bellsouth.net, or Kim Vance, 770-962-2073. 

2)  West Side First Friday Gathering:  North Metro Church

www.firstfridayschina.com

Click here to view the April newsletter for First Friday China!

True to its name, this meeting is held on the first Friday evening of every month, and its purpose is to offer a place for families (single and two-parent) to come and find support during their adoption process.  Dan and Susan Chapman host this event, and families in any stage of adoption, from just gathering information all the way through post-adoption, are welcome to attend this free event.  They offer free childcare during the meeting.  Families from any agency (or with no agency yet) are welcome to attend. 

Have you adopted already and are looking for other families to connect with?  Are you hoping to share your adoption experience with others?  Please come to this gathering and bring your kids!  Meeting families who have adopted before is a source of tremendous support for families who are currently in the adoption process.  Each meeting includes live music, dynamic speakers, inspirational real-life adoption testimonies, and the inside scoop on all things adoption. 

Information is as follows, and please feel free to tell anyone you think may be interested in adoption about this gathering:

Next meeting:  Friday, May 2, 2008, 7:00pm                                                

North Metro Church Campus (www.northmetro.org), 2305 Barrett Parkway NW, Marietta, GA 30064

Contact:  Dan and Susan Chapman, 678-574-9596 or chapmansk@bellsouth.net
No need to RSVP

3)  South Side Third Friday Gathering:  Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church

Friday, April 18th, 7:00 PM 

Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church

101 Peachtree Pkwy N., Peachtree City, GA

On the corner of Peachtree Parkway and Highway 54

Contact:  Bruce and Karen Ladman, karen.ladman@gmail.com,

www.ladmans.blogspot.com  

The meeting will be held on the second floor in the Fellowship Hall.  Refreshments will be provided as well as children's activities. 

Are you interested in hosting a waiting families gathering in your home, church, or community?  Please email Chrissy with details, Chrissy@hopeforchildren.org.