exposing the dark side of adoption
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Adoption Annex

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www.adoptionannex.org

Persons

Person Relation type Date from Date to
Kevin Cohen Owner 2004 Oct 08
The Adoption Annex provides "one stop shopping" to the adoption community. Its offerings include:

* Birth Mother Renaissance Program. Intended to assist young women during a most difficult time and to ensure that their first 'visit' to The Annex (for this purpose) is their last as well, The Annex provides licensed social services and counseling, in addition to career consulting, financial advice and educational advice, to Birth Mothers following an adoption plan. The Adoption Annex is not a child placement agency.

* Adoption 360û Mentoring...for the Adopted, by the Adopted. The Adoption Annex offers a mentoring program that partners adopted adults with unrelated adopted children in an effort to bring two similar worlds together for an open exchange of feelings and 'shared issue companionship.' The concept of Adoption Mentoring comes from April Dinwoodie, an adult adoptee who is director of The Annex's mentoring program. The program allows mentors to 'give back' by sharing their thoughts and feelings about growing up adopted with those who can benefit from those insights and 'shared issue companionship.'

* Museum & Memorabilia Collection. The Annex's Museum of Adoption will examine adoption's historical roots, its existence in different countries, media representation (and misrepresentation), Myths, an Ages & Stages Exhibit and a Wall of Fame (depicting famous adoptees & adoptive parents of Long Island, New York, America and the World); the 'Reflections' Memorabilia Collection will present poignant writings, music, pictures and other thought-provoking media collected by the Annex from members of the adoption community. The Annex welcomes donations of artwork, memorabilia, books, writings and videos.

* Media & Research Center. Prospective adoptive parents exploring adoption as a family planning option are often vexed by the enormous amount of information (and mis-information) that exists.

* Possessing both comprehensive online and offline components, The Annex's Discovery Center includes an extensive library (video, book and audiotape) with hundreds of offerings to choose from, as well as free online subscriptions to all of the relevant internet-adoption sites that the World Wide Web has to offer. The Annex offers unlimited access to the Media & Research Center (both online and offline) for Discovery Services.

* Reuniting Services. The Annex offers a free tutorial for registering online to reunite (whether you are a Birth Parent or adopted child) in all 50 states. The Annex staff can also register for individuals, upon request, (and monitor any responses on an ongoing basis) for a nominal fee of $50.

* Seminars, Book Signings & Movie Screenings. Informative, educational and entertaining events at The Annex will include seminars on the 'How to's of adoption, avoiding the pitfalls, reflections of adult adoptees, whether adoptees yearn to be considered 'Special or Different' and an Adoption Wall of Fame Lecture Series; book signings from prominent adoption authors and movie screenings depicting adoption from every imaginable perspective.

* Counseling Services. Initially an offshoot of the Mentoring and Birth Mother programs, The Annex will be staffed with Social Workers and Psychologists (and potentially other medical personnel) to counsel individuals of all ages with respect to any issues brought about by adoption.

* Adoptive Peer Groups (Adoptive Parents, Adult Adoptees & Birth Parents). An informal outreach program with meetings every two weeks, The Annex will coordinate and host segmented peer groups where participants share individual experiences with the adoption process.

* Educational Tours & Adoption Information Bureau. The Annex provides educational tours of its facility to properly inculcate individuals into the adoption process as it truly is, with respect being given to all sides of an issue. The Adoption Information Bureau is set up as a statistical and informational resource for media and research institutions so that appropriate and accurate documentation may be disseminated to the public, as well as to be a resource for public commentary with respect to adoption-related events and developments.

* Birthday, Adoption Day & Finalization Parties. Knowing that many adoptees celebrate one day or the other (if not both) every year, The Annex will serve as a festive and appropriate environment in which to celebrate, especially the day when an adoption is finalized by the Court. Parties at the Annex will exhibit the joy that adoption can bring to families.

* Gift Shop. Showcasing the 'Most Wanted Children' and 'God's Truly Chosen People' lines, The Annex Gift Shop sells all sorts of merchandise celebrating adoption, including greeting cards, clothing, music, books, jewelry, lifebooks, novelty items, and much more. Ultimately, people may also shop online at www.AdoptionAnnex.org/giftshop.

Location

1446 Old Northern Boulevard
Roslyn