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Adoptive Parent Support Groups

Adoptive Parent Support Groups in Canada
Adoption is a deeply personal decision. But that doesn't mean there isn't anybody you can discuss it with.

No matter where you are in the process, here's a small sampling of adoption groups in Canada that can offer you support, advice, guidance and much, much more.

Did we leave anyone out? E-mail the name and address to us at info@canadaadopts.com.

National | Alberta | British Columbia | Manitoba | New Brunswick | Newfoundland and Labrador | Nova Scotia | Ontario | Prince Edward Island | Quebec | Saskatchewan

NATIONAL

ALBERTA

  • Alberta Foster Parent Association
    A group that offers support and resources for Alberta’s foster families.
  • Edmonton Adoption Clinic
    Offers pediatric consultation services to families involved in international and domestic adoption.
  • McMan Community Services
    A non-profit organization working in Northern Alberta that helps foster children find families.

    Some adoptive parent support groups in Alberta meet on a regular basis. You can find them listed below by city.

  • Calgary
    What: Adoption Options Adoptive Parent Support Group
    Where: #202, 1228 Kensington Rd., NW
    When: Last Wednesday of the month from 7-9 pm
    Contact: Adoption Options at aocal@adoptionoptions.com or 403-270-8228

    What: Christian Adoption Services Domestic Adoption Play Group
    When: First Monday of the month
    Contact: Ruth at visser@nucleus.com or info@christianadoption.ab.ca

    What: Christian Adoption Services Domestic Waiting Families Support Group
    When: Second Wednesday of the month
    Contact: Alison at 403-256-3224 or info@christianadoption.ab.ca

    What: Infertility Support Group
    When: Last Saturday of the month at 10 am
    Contact: Tracy at tracy@iaacCalgary.com or 780-283-4396.

  • Edmonton
    What: Adoption Options Adoptive Parent Support Group
    Where: #304, 10109 - 106 Street
    When: Third Monday of the month from 7:30 - 9:30 pm
    Contact: Adoption Options at aoedm@adoptionoptions.com or 403-433-5656

  • Grande Prairie
    What: Christian Adoption Services International Adoption Play Group
    Where: Grande Prairie Alliance Church
    When: Third Tuesday of the month from 9:30 am to noon
    Contact: Jodi at 403-766-2716 or info@christianadoption.ab.ca

BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Adoptive Family Association of British Columbia
    Support services for British Columbia’s adoptive and pre-adoptive families that also contains all kinds of resources, information and tips on what to do while you’re waiting.
  • The Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
    A British-Columbia based centre offering diagnostic, assessment and family support services for children, youth and adults affected by FASD.
  • Federation of Foster Parents Associations
    Online resources and a helpline for British Columbia foster parents and their families.


    • Some adoptive parent support groups in British Columbia meet on a regular basis. You can find them listed below by city.

  • Abbotsford
    What: Empty Arms and Beyond Chat Night for Waiting and Adoptive Parents
    When: Twice monthly
    Contact: MaryLou Schuetz at hopesupports@shaw.ca or 604-850-1002

    What: Growing Together Support Group
    Where: The Old Court House, 2420 Montrose Ave.
    When: First Monday of the month from 7-9 PM
    Contact: Jen at 1-866-900-7330 or jhillman@bcadoption.com

  • Kelowna
    What: Infertility Support Group
    Where: South Okanagan Health Unit, CCD Boardroom, 1340 Ellis
    When: Third Tuesday of the month from 6-8 pm
    Contact: Kristina Towell at drtowill@shaw.ca or 250-860-8873

  • North Vancouver
    What: The Sunrise Playgroup
    Where: Second weekend of every other month
    When: Third Tuesday of the month from 9:30 am to noon
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or
    604-984-2488 What: Growing Together Support Group

    What: Sunrise Ethiopian Families Group
    When: Meets monthly
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or
    604-984-2488

    What: Sunrise Korea Families Group
    When: Meets regularly
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or
    604-984-2488

    What: Korean Language Play Group
    When: Second Sunday of the month
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or 604-984-2488

    What: Sunrise Play Groups
    Where: John Braithwaite Centre, 145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver
    When: Saturday or Sunday from 10 to noon
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or 604-984-2488

    What: Sunrise Waiting Parents Play Group
    When: Monthly
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or 604-984-2488

    What: Sunrise Single Parent Support Group
    When: Monthly
    Contact: Sunrise Adoption Services at info@sunriseadoption.com or 604-98-2488

  • Vancouver
    What: Infertility Peer Support Group
    Where: Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier Avenue, Coquitlam
    When: Fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 except July, Aug. and Dec.
    Contact: Jennifer Hillman at jhillman@bcadoption.com or 604-320-7330

    What: Fertility Support Group
    Where: 5737 Collingwood St.
    When: Second Friday of the month from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
    Contact: Family Passages at 604-266-6470 or info@familypassages.ca

MANITOBA

  • Friends of Adoption Manitoba
    A province-wide group offering support to those who have adopted or are considering adoption.
  • Manitoba Foster Family Network
    The voice of foster families in Manitoba that includes a peer support group and newsletter.

    Some adoptive parent support groups in Manitoba meet on a regular basis. You can find them listed below by city.

  • Winnipeg
    What: Manitoba Adoptive Parents Support
    Where: South Winnipeg Family Information Centre, Lower Level, 800 Point Rd.
    When: Second Wednesday of the month
    Contact: Sue Brook at m_aps2002@yahoo.ca or 204-231-3014

    What: Infertility Support Group
    Where: Winnipeg Infertility Resource Centre, 215-161 Stafford St.
    When: Second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm
    Contact: bevfriesen6@mts.net or 204-488-2673

NEW BRUNSWICK

  • Fredericton
    What: Infertility Support Group
    Where: Room 212, MacLaggan Hall, 33 Dineen Dr, University of New Brunswick
    When:Third Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m. excluding June, July and Aug.
    Contact: Pamela Burton at 506-45-.6846 or pburton@unb.ca

    What: On Our Own Support Group
    When: Fourth Thursday of the month
    Contact: Jennifer O'Leary at joleary@nb.sympatico.ca or 506-853-7268

  • Moncton
    What: Adoptive Moms Support Group
    When: Third Thursday of every month from 7-9 pm
    Contact: Jennifer O'Leary at joleary@nb.sympatico.ca or 506-853-7268

  • Saint John
    What: Saint John Adoptive Parents Association
    Where: Grace Presbyterian Church, 101 Coburg St.
    When: Second Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm (confirm beforehand)
    Contact: Jenn Gerrits at adoptivemommy@gmail.com or 506-659-2499

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

NOVA SCOTIA

ONTARIO

  • Adoption Council of Ontario
    A group offering information, workshops and support for families touched by adoption in Ontario.
  • AdoptOntario
    A public site by the Adoption Council of Ontario aimed at recruiting and encouraging potential adoptive parents in Ontario for the children who need them.
  • Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
    Group dedicating to the welfare of children.
  • Foster Parents Society of Ontario
    A support group for foster parents living in Ontario, with online links and a library.
  • Families with Children From China
    Toronto chapter of the support group that celebrates adoptions from China.
  • Jewish Family and Child Services
    Support group for Jewish adoptive families in the Toronto area.
  • LGBT Parenting Network
    Toronto-based group offering support and resources on gay parenting.
  • Naive Child and Family Services of Toronto
    Group providing assistance for native adoptive families in the Toronto area.
  • Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
    Umbrella organization representing the Children’s Aid Societies from across Ontario.
  • Ontario RAD Families
    A Canadian support group dedicated to Reactive Attachment Disorder.
  • Ontario’s Winning Kids
    A website funded by the Children’s Aid Foundation that promotes fostering in Ontario and helps children find permanent adoptive homes.
  • Queer Parenting Programs
    Guidance for Toronto-area gay parents involved in adoption and foster care.

    Some adoptive parent support groups in Ontario meet on a regular basis. You can find them listed below by city.

  • Alliston
    What: Adoption Council of Ontario How to Adopt Seminars
    Where: Gibson Centre for Community Arts & Culture, 63 Tupper St. West
    When: Twice a month
    Contact: Adoption Council of Ontario at aco@adoption.ca or 416-482-0021

  • Blackstock
    What: Adoptive Parents of North Durham Support and Information Group
    Where: St. John's Anglican Church, Blackstock
    When: Second Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm (confirm beforehand)
    Contact: Janet at northdurhamap@hotmail.com

  • Burlington
    What: Belonging Adoption Support Group
    Where: Compasspoint Bible Church, 2501 Eaglesfield Dr.
    When: Last Monday of the month 7-9 p.m. except Dec, June, July and Aug.
    Contact: Janice McDonald at themcdonalds@sympatico.ca or 905-332-9469

    What: Infertility Support Group
    When: Last Thursday of the month.
    Contact: Becky at rhodson@sympatico.ca or 905-319-5947

  • Hamilton
    What: Infertility Support Group
    Where: West End Clinic, 690 Main St. W,
    When: First Wednesday of each month from 7-9 pm
    Contact: Gabrielle Klimstra at 905-521-5080 ext. 76602

  • London
  • What: Adoption Council of Ontario How-to-Adopt Seminar
    Where: Westmount Public Library, 3200 Wonderland Rd. S.
    When: Twice monthly
    Contact: Adoption Council of Ontario at aco@adoption.ca or 416-482-0021
  • What: Children’s Bridge Coffee Talk Group
    Where: Williams Coffee Pub at 3030 Wonderland Rd. S.
    When: Second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
    Contact: Kim Jones at kdjones@rogers.com or 519-652-9574
  • What: London Post-Adoption Support Group
    Where: London-Middlesex Children's Aid Society, 1680 Oxford St.
    When: Fourth Tuesday of the month 7-9 p.m., except July and August
    Contact: Paula Schuck at inkscrblr@rogers.com or 519-455-9000
  • What: Children’s Bridge London Area Parent Playgroup
    When: Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Contact: Susan Mason at http://www.goodfortunelondon.ca
  • What: Babywish Infertility Support Group
    When: Second Sunday of the month from 6-9 p.m.
    Contact: Lois Ostolosky at babywish@rogers.com or 519-200-9592

  • Oakville
  • What: Oakville Parent Support Group
    Where: The Real Canadian Superstore (upstairs) at the corner of
    Dundas and Trafalgar.
    When: Third Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m.
    Contact: Mary O'Brien-Kwan at mok@cogeco.ca

  • Ottawa
  • What: Children’s Bridge Ottawa Parent Group
    When: Wednesdays from 7-9 pm from Sept.-May
    Contact: Cathy Murphy at cathymurphy@childrensbridge.com or 613-22-.2112
  • What: Ottawa Waiting Parents Group
    When:Four meetings a year
    Contact: Catherine MacLellan at catherine_maclellan@rogers.com or 613-302-2092

  • Port Hope
  • What: Northumberland Families in Adoption
    When: Dates TBA, 5 -7 p.m.
    Where: Ontario Early Years Center -- 74 Queen Street, Port Hope
    Contact: Nancy Richardson 905-377-1561 or lennanvan@sympatico.ca

  • Sudbury
  • What: Sudbury Adoption Support Group
    Where: 111 Elm St
    When: Second Wednesday of the month at 7-9 p.m., except July and August
    Contact: Esther at tardif@isys.ca or 705-969-7152

  • Toronto
    What: Adoption Council of Ontario How-to-Adopt Seminar
    Where: Church of Saint Timothy, 100 Old Orchard Grove.
    When: Twice monthly
    Contact: Adoption Council of Ontario at aco@adoption.ca or 416-482-0021
  • What: Endometriosis Support Group
    Where: 8th floor, Women's College Hospital, 790 Bay St.
    When: Second Thursday of the month at 7-9 pm
    Contact: The Endometriosis Network of Toronto (TENT) at 416-591-3963 or Jan Silverman at jan.silverman@wchospital.ca or 416-351-3721
  • What: Infertility Network Drop-In Support Group
    Where: 1397 Danforth Ave., basement level
    When: Second Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m.
    Contact: Infertility Network at Info@InfertilityNetwork.org or 416-691-3611
  • What: Infertility Support Group
    Where: 8th floor, Women's College Hospital, 790 Bay St.
    When: Third Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m.
    Contact: Jan Silverman at jan.silverman@wchospital.ca or 416-351-3721
  • What: On Our Own
    Where: 8th floor, Women's College Hospital, 790 Bay St.
    When: Fourth Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m.
    Contact: Jan Silverman at jan.silverman@wchospital.ca or 416-351-3721

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

  • Adoption Matters
    Website designed to assist PEI families through the adoption process.

QUEBEC

  • Association of Quebec-Asia Familles
    An online resource for families who have adopted from Asia.
  • Lesbian Mothers Association of Quebec
    Support group for lesbian parents and their families living in Quebec.
  • Mouvement Retrouvailles
    A research and reunion organization dedicated to reuniting adoptees and their birth families.
  • Quebec Adoption
    Another online resource for Quebec adoptive parents.
  • Société culturelle de familles adoptives d'enfants de Chine
    Group devoted to helping parents who have adopted from China.

    Some adoptive parent support groups in Quebec meet on a regular basis. You can find them listed below by city.

  • Montreal
    What: Infertility Support Group
    Where: Elgar Community Centre, 260 Rue Elgar, Nun's Island
    When: Third Tuesday of the month at 6:30.
    Contact: Sarah at sarahiaacmontreal@yahoo.ca or 514-732-0012
  • What: On Our Own
    Where: 8th floor, Women's College Hospital, 790 Bay St.
    When: Fourth Thursday of the month from 6-8 pm
    Contact: Jan Silverman at jan.silverman@wchospital.ca or 416-351-3721

SASKATCHEWAN