The Living Adoption Series

Select Reviews of Struggle For Identity:

"I have been associated with issues on interracial and intercultural parenting for almost 30 years and this is one of the best films I have seen."

Adbul-Rahmaan Muhammad

Senior Vice President

The Village for Families

***

"The video is powerful and on target. The participants articulate the issues in a manner that invites discussion and reflection."

Al Stumph, co-author w/Leora Neal

"Transracial Adoptive Parenting: A Black/White Community Issue"

***

"Ten years later, I viewed the original again. The issues in transracial adoption raised by the young adults back then are just as relevant today. This will continue to be an excellent training tool for professionals and adoptive parents. As a viewer and professional in the field, I was impressed by the conversation 10 years later with John and Michelle. The message from these two adoptees in 2007 is fundamentally the same, but it is now textured with maturity and years of experience working as professionals in an admittedly flawed foster care system. They both understand the flaws, yet are able to paint their picture in a clear, vibrant manner while capturing the nuances inherent in the interactions of human beings. The videos' "deleted scenes" are a bonus and well worth viewing. The overall production is user-friendly, crisp and clear. Bravo to John and Michelle and bravo to Citizens' Coalition for Children (Now Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York) on producing such a valuable video."

Ernesto Loperena

Executive Director

New York Council on Adoptable Children, Inc.

Select Reviews of Gay Parents Speak:

"The film is outstanding! . . . a wonderful, honest portrayal of the experiences of ethnically diverse, gay and lesbian adoptive families. This is “Adoption 101” for families—these optimistic, yet realistic couples talk about their experiences, feelings, challenges and strategies for overcoming barriers and concerns from the time they first considered adoption through post-placement. Their pictures and voices tell it all – from their perspectives about good social work practice, laws impacting their adoptions, paperwork, to adopting sibling groups, interracial adoptions, and parenting issues-- these families are amazing! This video will be an excellent resource in adoption preparation classes for families, adoption support groups, academic classes, and adoption competency training for social workers!"

Ruth McRoy

President, Board of Directors

North American Council on Adoptable Children

***

"This is a great DVD that truly captures the experiences of parenting for lesbians and gay men. It is a "must see" for child welfare professionals and social work educators interested in opening wide the closet door and looking into the lives of lesbian and gay foster and adoptive parents."

Gerald P. Mallon

Professor and Executive Director

National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections

Hunter College School of Social Work

A Service of the US HHS/ACF Children's Bureau

***

"This moving video would be insightful for those working with prospective adoptive parents who are lesbian or gay as well as for those parents themselves. Many of the issues addressed are common to all adoptive families - in fact, there is so much information covered that it is hard to believe that it is only 20 minutes long. Very touching, informative and well done!"

Sarah Gerstenzang

Executive Director

NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children

(Now Adoptive and Foster Families Coalition)

***

"So well done and engaging!"

Ritch C. Savin-Williams

Chair & Professor, Human Development

Director, Sex & Gender Lab

Cornell University

***

"This film offers renewed hope for the tens of thousands of children in foster care in the United States who need adoptive families, and to the dedicated professionals who work on their behalf."

Kathy Ledesma

National Project Director

AdoptUsKid

Select Reviews of Foster Parents Speak:

"At last, an honest and moving film that captures the essence of what it means to be a foster parent in America. . . The foster families in this film speak openly and honestly about the challenges and the deeply felt rewards that are made manifest when they took the risk and reached out to share their parenting experiences with birth families. This is a film that all child welfare professionals and parents should watch."

Gerald P. Mallon

Professor and Executive Director

National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections

Hunter College School of Social Work

A Service of the US HHS/ACF Children's Bureau

***

"It is superb. I think all of the breadth of knowledge that these various foster parents bring to the table gives one a sense of both the challenges and the fulfillment of being a stand-in parent for kids who are in limbo. I think the world has funny views about who and what foster parents are, and these parents give us a sense of the integrity, the dedication, the insight, the perseverance, the humor, the anger and the frustration that all go into the mix. Raising children who come to you in a crisis and who are traumatized is not easy. . . This film is illuminating, educating and essential to let the world know what it means to foster."

Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao

Founder & CEO

Center For Family Connections

***

"It is an excellent video and you have done a very good job of capturing real responses. . . Authentic voices; the voices of foster parents. The video speaks revealingly of the realities of being foster parents."

Millicent M Williams, ACSW

Director of Foster Care Services

Child Welfare League of America

***

"The video truly depicts building bridges between foster parents and birth parents. It supports the best interest of the child throughout and is a great resource! It definitely fills an unmet need."

Karen Jorgenson

Executive Director

National Foster Parent Association

***

"An excellent training tool to get foster parents talking about the challenges and joys of working with birth parents. The voices of the foster parents bring reality to all our talk about the value of true partnerships for children."

MaryLee Allen

Director, Child Welfare Division

Children’s Defense Fund