Community groups

There are many other organizations in BC that also serve adoptive families. The following organizations and support groups operate outside of the AFABC umbrella. As such, we may not always agree on content or practices. Please choose and enjoy these groups at your own discretion.

British Columbia | Canada | Crisis Intervention

British Columbia

Akoma Ntoaso Mentoring Group
For families parenting children of African heritage. New teen and young adult mentors of African heritage always welcome. Meets in Burnaby.
Contact: Catherine at Misscatti@yahoo.com.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/akomavancouver/

The Asante Centre
Offers assessment, diagnostic and family support services based on a multidisciplinary team approach for children, youth and adults suspected of living with FASD, ASD and other brain-based disabilities. Offices in Maple Ridge and Surrey. 
Contact: 604-467-7101, 1-866-327-7101, or info@asantecentre.org.
Website: www.asantecentre.org

Asian Adult Adoptees of British Columbia
See Asian Adoptees of Canada. 

BC Council for Families

Provides family education programs and resources that help families grow stronger and more resilient.
Contact: 604-678-8884 or bccf@bccf.ca
Website: www.bccf.ca

BC Federation of Foster Parents Associations
Aims to bring together foster parents, social workers and other interested people working to improve the standard of care for children in our province.
Contact: 604-466-7487, 1-800-663-9999, or office@bcfosterparents.ca.
Website: www.bcfosterparents.ca

Families With Children From China BC - FCC BC

Welcomes adoptive families with children from China and families waiting to adopt from China. Education, peer support for parents and children, and cultural events. Newsletter twice yearly. Free introductory membership. Free membership for adult adoptees.
Contact: Sheila at sheilakirkby@gmail.com or 604-739-4495.
Website: www.fccbc.ca

FASD Parent Support

Offers support, information, education, and advocacy for parents/caregivers of children who are living with FASD or similar conditions. Meets in Prince George.
Contact: Kelly at 250-561-2689 ext 28 or kelly@nfhs-pg.org.

Find Support BC

A database run by the Family Support Institute of BC that connects families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them.
Website: http://findsupportbc.com/

Forget Me Not Family Society
Education, peer counseling and support to all those touched by adoption. Now meeting regularly in three locations across BC. 
Contacts:
Cloverdale: Marnie at marnietetz@shaw.ca or 604-828-9577.
New Westminster: Nancy Kato at katosan@telus.net or 604-777-2920.
Kamloops: Bernadette Rymer bjrymer@telus.net or 250-453-2360.
Website: www.adoptioncircles.net

Fraser Valley African Heritage Playgroup 
All families parenting children of African heritage are welcome. Group meets regularly for playgroups and mentoring opportunities.
Contact: Sharon slakorn@telus.net or 604-795-9568.

Hearts for Adoption Support Group

Waiting families, adoptive families and wondering families/individuals are welcome to join us for adoption stories, resources, and snacks! Meets regularly.
Location: Fort St. John
Contact: Joel or Gigi 250-787-7559 or Evangel Chapel 250-785-3386.

Hearts for Hope - Infertility and Miscarriage Support Group
Christian support group based in Abbotsford. Anyone touched by infertility or pregnancy loss welcome. Meets monthly. 
Contact: heartsofhope.abby@gmail.com 

Indigenous Caregivers of BC
Indigenous Caregivers of BC was formed to meet the unique needs of caregivers of Indigenous children, and the needs of communities for targeted development, recruitment, and training of Indigenous caregiver families.
Contact: 1-844-391-0007 ext 229
Website: http://fostercaregiversbc.ca/

Indigenous Perspectives Society
IPS is a charitable and not-for-profit social enterprise organization that strengthens the voice of Indigenous communities through education and professional development. Their training programs help foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives and cultural differences.
Contact: info@ipsociety.ca or 250-391-0007
Website: ipsociety.ca

Kurati - Connecting Transracial Families in the Fraser Valley
A monthly get together for transracial families in the Fraser Valley! Biological and adoptive - feel free to join if you're outside of the Fraser Valley area, just know that meetings will be held in the Surrey/Langley/Aldergrove area.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/kuratilangley/

Métis Nation British Columbia

Métis Nation British Columbia develops and enhances opportunities for our Métis Chartered Communities and Métis people in British Columbia by providing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services.
Contact: Toll free at 1-800-940-1150 or reception@mnbc.ca
Website: http://www.mnbc.ca/

Pacific Post Partum Support Society

Telephone support for women, and their families, who are experiencing depression/anxiety/adjustment during prenancy and/or after the birth or adoption of a child. Trained facilitators lead groups for mothers, offer lectures and training programs for interested groups and professionals. Serves the lower mainland with groups in Delta, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver.
Contact: 604-255-7999
Website: www.postpartum.org

Parent Support Services Society of BC
Province-wide free, confidential, weekly meetings for parents and caregivers.
Contact: 1-877-345-9777 or office@parentsupportbc.ca
Website: www.parentsupportbc.ca

Raising Uniquely Wired Children
This group is for parents of children of all ages with any kind of neurological deficit. It encompasses all children under the FASD umbrella or other brain-related diagnoses. Support and resources include guest
speakers.
Date: Second Monday of the month.
Time: 12:30 – 2pm
Location: Quesnel Child Care Resource and Referral Office, 469 A Anderson Drive
Contact: Lindsay Walker 250-992-2759 ext 232. Lindsay is the Parenting Wisely Facilitator / Family Support Worker AXIS Family Resources.

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society

A non-profit society with services to urban Aboriginal children and families living in the Greater Vancouver area.
Contact: 604-872-6723
Website: www.vacfss.com

We Are Adopted

Offers peer support meetings, counselling and advocacy services, guest speakers, panels, and whatever other resources the community wants or needs. If you are an adopted person you are welcome to share your thoughts and ideas and take advantage of the resources we offer. (Formerly the Adoptees Association).
Date: Meets monthly, except July and August
Location: Lower Mainland
Contact: Catherine 604-805-0546
Website: weareadopted.ca

Canada

Adoption Council of Ontario
Provides outreach, support and education to all adoptees, adoptive parents, potential adoptive parents, birth families, and adoption professionals in Ontario.
Contact: 416-482-0021, 1-877-ADOPT-20, or info@adoption.on.ca.
Website: www.adoption.on.ca

Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan
Provides information and support for families in Saskatchewan.
Contact: 306-665-7272, 1-866-869-2727, or support@adoptionsask.org.
Website: www.adoptionsask.org

Adopt4Life Ontario
Ontario's adoptive parents association. 
Website: www.adopt4life.com 

Alberta Foster and Kinship Association
Provides support to foster families, advocates for the rights of children, educates the community about foster care, provides and arranges for training and social gatherings, and serves as a liaison between foster families and Alberta Children & Youth Services.
Contact: 780-429-9923 or 1-800-667-2372
Website: www.afpaonline.com

Asian Adoptees of Canada
A group that serves to create a community for adult adoptees, offer education for adoptive parents, and provide cultural opportunities for the next generation of adoptees to connect with their history.

Website: www.facebook.com/asianadopteesofcanada 

Canadian Foundation for the Children of Haiti (CFCH)
An interdenominational Christian organization serving Haitian children in Haiti and in Canada. It has a sponsorship program and provides information and support to families.
Contact: Gail 604-576-8308
Website: www.cfchcanada.ca

Kinship and Foster Family Network of Manitoba

Focuses on grassroots community development opportunities to enhance the lives of foster families.
Contact: 204-940-1280, 1-86-458-5650, or manfost@mffn.ca.
Website: www.kffnm.ca

New Brunswick Adoption Foundation
Provides the private sector, community groups and individuals a vehicle to promote the adoption of children in the permanent care of the Minister of Social Development.
Contact: 506-832-0676 or info@nbadoption.ca
Website: www.nbadoption.ca

Origins Canada
A volunteer-run non-profit organization serving people across Canada who have been separated from family members by adoption.
Contact: 416-400-5730 or originscanada@gmail.com.
www.originscanada.org

Crisis Intervention

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia
If you are experiencing stress or problems that seem overwhelming or that you don't know how to handle, don't ignore it. There are services in your community that can help.
Contact: Province-wide: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). TTY: 1-866-872-0113. Greater Vancouver: 604-872-3311. Sunshine Coast: 1-866-661-3311.
Website: www.crisiscentre.bc.ca

Pacific Post Partum Support Society
Telephone support for women, and their families, who are experiencing depression/anxiety/adjustment during pregnancy and/or after the birth or adoption of a child. Trained facilitators lead groups for mothers, offer lectures and training programs for interested groups and professionals. Serves the lower mainland with groups in Delta, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver.
Contact: 604-255-7999
Website: www.postpartum.org

Parent Support Services Society of BC
Province-wide free, confidential, weekly meetings for parents and caregivers.
Contact: 1-877-345-9777
Website: www.parentsupportbc.ca

SafeKids
Child abuse prevention.
Contact: 604-310-1234
Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/protecting-children/keeping-kids-safe