For Adult Adoptees, Kinship, &/or Fostered People

Community Support Dinners

These dinners are meant to offer a time to relax, unwind, and get to know each other better while exploring some of the delicious and diverse restaurants Columbus has to offer. Adoptees, Fostered, and Kinshipped people welcome!

• Meets at local spaces like the North Market and East Market - Individuals pay for their own meal

• Usually meets 6:30-8 pm

• RSVP is helpful, but not required

• Check the Calendar for upcoming location, time, and other details

Adoptee Counseling

Therapy, with an adult adoptee, is available for those actively trying to process, understand, and/or come to terms with aspects of their personal relinquishment/removal and/or adoption history. Coaching is offered for those who are not interested or ready for counseling at this time.

The perspective of a person who is relinquished/ removed/separated, is uniquely influenced by these experiences and these early experiences inevitably affects the formation of our worldview and general ideas of the people and world around us. This often causes subtle shifts in our perspective, understanding, beliefs, and definitions- And can create specific needs from a therapist.

Art Processing Workshops

These workshops are not traditional art classes, and are Designed For Nonartists (those new to or less confident in art making). These workshops will focus on the creation of art as a form of meaningful expression and communication, and elevate the idea that art-making of value is for everyone!

Most materials will be provided. For those who would benefit from more time, open studio days will be added.

Group Book Discussions

These meetings are designed for adult adoptees, Fostered Alum, &/or those raised by Kinship Caregivers and facilitated by adult adoptees, to support one another and offer a safe place to share, discuss, and gain words for better understanding &/or expressing our experiences.

Each meeting we will discuss topics from a book or podcast written on adoption related issues. Time is given for individual sharing, but no one is required to do so- We encourage each person to participate, or just listen, however they wish.

Opportunities to Help Other Adoptees

Encompass Adoptees has a number of opportunities for older adoptees to encourage, support, mentor younger adoptees and or adoptive families- although we don’t thin the younger one are the only one learning or gaining from these experiences.

We offer mentoring program, a youth resilience building program, and have a teen group, all of which are run and supported by those with lived experiences . The best way to start getting involved is to come to a dinner.

Adoptee Art Show

During Adoptee Awareness Day/Adoption Awareness Month (in Oct & Nov) Encompass Adoptees holds an Adoptee art show featuring work from local adoptees 14 yrs and older. Several special guests are also invited who have related experiences, such as Fostered people, Donor conceived People, and those who parent/s have been deported.

Everyone is welcome to attend. For adoptees interested in enter an art piece- see our call to artist flier and/or the calendar of events!

Other Special Events and Service Activities

In addition to our more regular scheduled meetings we have special events such as a camping overnight, movie nights, Christmas party, poetry slam, or painting and other art opportunities. Adoption related educational workshops are also offered periodically.

Working together to accomplish goals and help others is an amazing and fun opportunity to build community among ourselves, and more broadly in our Columbus neighborhoods. Service activities vary and can include helping to serve at food kitchens, helping raise funds with Ornaments for Orphans, working with refugee organizations, participating in a community garden or clean up day, etc.

Check Calendar for upcoming activities and dates.