The Diversity of Birth Parents: A Nationwide Study
Private domestic adoption in the United States has changed considerably from the 1970s to today. Recently, The National Council For Adoption (NCFA), in partnership with BraveLove, completed a nationwide survey of over 1400 birth parents, to explore their experiences with adoption and gain meaningful insights. It’s important for us to understand that no two birth […]
Meet Isabella: From Unexpected Labor to Placement Day
Isabella, a 19-year-old college student on Long Island, awoke one morning in excruciating pain. She was shocked to discover she was not only pregnant, but in labor.
Forever, A Birth Mother
“Spence-Chapin supported me when I chose to place my newborn daughter for adoption in 1989. This very special organization facilitated not only my placement but also our reunion 18 years later, in 2007. Spence-Chapin’s post placement services provided critical care and guidance when I needed it most.”
FREE BIRTHING CLASSES AND RESOURCES IN NEW YORK
Giving birth for the first time can be scary. What can you expect? How will birth go? How will the baby be delivered? You may not know what to expect. But there’s no need for fear. Armed with knowledge, you can go into your childbirth armed with confidence. Here is a list of free resources on childbirth education. Contact us […]
ADOPTION IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
In November of 2005, Ed Gordon of National Public Radio (NPR) sat down with Spence-Chapin’s then-Assistant Director of Domestic Adoption Antoinette “Toni” Cockerham and Spence-Chapin adoptive parent Lisha Epperson about African American adoption. Their conversation highlights the history of African American Adoption at Spence-Chapin, some of its challenges at the time, as well as its […]
LETTER FROM A BIRTH MOTHER
by Latoya Sinclair July 24th is my son’s birthday. He turned 7 this year and it pains me because I know he is no longer just a baby, but a big boy who is growing into his own personality. What hurts me is that I am not able to hear his voice; I haven’t heard […]
6 MYTHS ABOUT OPEN ADOPTION
For expectant and birth parents, the term “open adoption” may sound intimidating or confusing. What does an open adoption look like? How does it work? Is it really in the best interest of the child? To make open adoption more understood, we’ve compiled this list of Myths and Facts to help guide you through your […]
SHARE YOUR STORY: BIRTH PARENT PERSPECTIVES
Listen to Aline, Latoya, Mariah, Melissa, and Scott share their stories about making a plan for their child with the support of Spence-Chapin.Spence-Chapin provides free, confidential, and unbiased options counseling for pregnant women & biological parents. Aline’s Story: Birth Parent Perspectives – Watch Aline talk about the comfort she received from her Interim Care Provider. Latoya’s Story: […]
REFLECTING ON BIRTH PARENTS AND PLACING A CHILD IN ADOPTION
As a social worker in the International Department at Spence-Chapin, I’ve been enlightened by so many aspects of adoption: the way hearts of adoptive parents can break, heal, stretch, and grow; the tenacious resiliency of children; and the conflicted governments who don’t always recognize the fate they hold in their hands. But, I had not, […]
RECENT ARTICLES BY AND ABOUT BIRTH MOTHERS
Amy Silverman, Spence-Chapin’s Assistant Director of Birth Parent Services, recommends recent articles by and about birth mothers in Newsweek and The New York Times. “I am all too aware of the stigma and misunderstanding experienced by our birth parent clients. The general public continues to have outdated notions of adoption. Few people realize that ethical […]
English 
Spanish 
Chinese