Resources
| Reading List |  |
- Adoption Reunions: A Book for Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Families. McColm, Michelle. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press, 1993.
- Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search. Brodzinksy, David M., Schechter, Marshall D. and Marantz Henig. Robin. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc.
- Birth Bond: Reunions Between Birthparents and Adoptees: What Happens After. Gediman, Judith S. and Brown, Linda P. New Jersey: New Horizon Press, 1989.
- Birth Mother Trauma: A Counselling Guide for Birthmothers. Carlini, Heather. Sannichton, BC: Morning Side Publishing, 1992.
- Birthright: The Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents and Adoptive Parents. Strauss, Jean. Viking Penguin, 1994.
- Courageous Blessing: Adoptive Parents and the Search. Demuth, Carol L. Garland, Texas: Aries Center, 1993.
- Dear Mom, I've Found My Birthmother: An Adoptive Parents' Guide to the Scariest Thing in the World. Moses, Susan. Lynnwood, WA: Jungle Publications, 1990.
- Journey of the Adopted Self: A Quest for Wholeness. Lifton, Betty Jean Basic, 1994
- Out of the Shadows: Birth Fathers' Stories. Mason, Mary M. Edina, MN: O.J. Howard Publishers, 1995.
- Preparing for Reunion: Adopted People, Adoptive Parents and Birth Parents tell Their Stories. Editorial Team, The Children's Society. United Kingdom: The Grange Press, 1994.
- Sibling Reunions: A Letter to those Who Have Been. Severson, Randolph W., Dallas, TX: House of Tomorrow Productions, 1992.
- Stories of Adoption: Loss and Reunion. Blau, Eric. Portland, OR: New Sage Press, 1993.
- Gone to an Aunt’s: Remembering Canada’s Homes for Unwed Mothers. Petrie, Anne. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart, the Canadian Publishers, 1998.
- May The Circle Be Unbroken: An Intimate Journey into the Heart of Adoption. Franklin, Lynn C with Ferber, Elizabeth. Harmony Books, New York, New York, 1998.
- The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Woman Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade. Fessler, Ann. Penguin, 2006
- Twenty Life-Transforming Choices Adoptees Need to Make by Sherrie Eldridge (2003)
Community Resources
National Services
Canadian Council of Natural MothersCanadian Council of Natural Mothers
Alberta Contact: Sandra Jarvie 403-217-3453 jarvies@shaw.ca
Peer support for people separated by adoption. Support in search and reunion, on-line support and discussion group, shared experiences in and validation of adoption loss, library of adoption related book reviews, search tips and valuable links, across Canada membership, and more.
Adoption Council of Canada
Adoption Council of Canada
The Adoption Council of Canada (ACC) is the umbrella organization for adoption in Canada.
Based in Ottawa, the ACC raises public awareness of adoption, promotes placement of waiting children and stresses the importance of post-adoption services. Check under the organizations link to see Canadian and United States resources, including private and government search organizations and registries.
Edmonton Services
Adoption by Choice
14030 106 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1B2
Toll Free: 1-800-570-2835
780-448-1159
Contact: Sheila Feehan
Email: sfeehan@telusplanet.net
Website: Adoption By Choice
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
Counseling – Fee for service
Adoption Options
#304 10109 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3L7
Program Director:
Edir Pendleton 780-433-5656
Fax: 780-447-4763
Toll Free: 1-800-770-3023
Email: aoedm@adoptionoptions.com
Website: Adoption Options
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Individual counseling, support, and assistance through the reunion process.
- Birthmother's Day (This day is one set aside to acknowledge the motherhood experience of birthmothers. It was created in 1990 by a group of American birthmothers for the day before Mother's Day so as to make this annual observance inclusive of all the mothers in the lives of our children and in our communities. Celebrate Birthmothers: Coming together to honour, remember and celebrate women who gave the gift of a child. Open to all birthmothers and those wishing to honour them. The Saturday before Mother’s Day every year in both Edmonton and Calgary)
Catholic Social Services
8815 - 99 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6E 3V3
Fax: 780-439-3154
Website: Catholic Social Services
Check the Catholic Social Services Website for contact information to offices throughout Alberta.
Catholic Social Services is a multi-function social service agency that serves people of all faiths and cultures throughout central and northeast Alberta.
Ensminger Consulting
Contact: Ray Ensminger
780-944-9626
reunionassociates@telusplanet.net
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Fee for service search
Calgary Services
Adoption by Choice
#315 908 17th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2T 0A3
Toll Free: 1-800-570-2835
Fax: 403-245-8897
Email: Calgary@AdoptionByChoice.ab.ca
Website: Adoption By Choice
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Counseling – Fee for service
Adoption Options
#202 1228 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 3P7
Program Director:
Sheryl Proulx 403-270-8228
Fax: 403-270-3929
Email: aocal@adoptionoptions.com
Website: Adoption Options
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Individual counseling, support, and assistance through the reunion process.
- Birthmother's Day (This day is one set aside to acknowledge the motherhood experience of birthmothers. It was created in 1990 by a group of American birthmothers for the day before Mother's Day so as to make this annual observance inclusive of all the mothers in the lives of our children and in our communities. Celebrate Birthmothers: Coming together to honour, remember and celebrate women who gave the gift of a child. Open to all birthmothers and those wishing to honour them. The Saturday before Mother’s Day every year in both Edmonton and Calgary)
Calgary Family Services
300, 906 – 8th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 1H9
Phone: 403-205-5270
Fax: 403-205-5281
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Individual counseling, support, and assistance
Inner Truth Counseling Services
2016 -12th Avenue NW
Calgary, Alberta
Phone: 403-809-7064
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Individual counseling, support, and assistance
Lethbridge Services
Val Scheck
403-329-3513
Email: scheckvg@telus.net
Services provided to search and reunion clients:
- Provides support and assistance around adoption issues.
