News & Impact

When Drew and Flavio met on JDate.com more than eight years ago, they discovered—to their delight—that one of the interests they shared was in raising a family. “I wanted to find a partner with a child who wanted to have another child,” says Flavio, a Brazilian-born psychologist. Drew, a high-tech executive who had been in an earlier LGBT relationship in which he was raising a son, was a perfect match. A few years into their marriage, after considering various options, the couple came to realize that open adoption was the best way for them to grow their family. Their thoughts… Read More

Even before Karen and Scott adopted their son, Gregory, more than four years ago with the help of JFCS’ dedicated adoption agency, Adoption Connection, the couple felt a strong commitment to the domestic adoption process. Karen has a brother who was adopted, and as child, she lived on a street with at least four households with adopted children. “I grew up with it,” says Karen. “It was just the norm.” So when she and Scott decided to grown their family, it seemed only natural that they’d come to Adoption Connection. “I knew about Adoption Connection because I had volunteered… Read More

When Anna and Dave, a Sonoma County couple who have been married for 11 years, decided to grow their family through adoption, they looked at the options and decided to work with JFCS’ adoption agency, Adoption Connection. They are so glad that they did, because three months ago, Max, their son, came into their lives. Their joy at becoming parents is matched by their gratitude—to both Adoption Connection and to the birthmother and her family, who selected Anna and Dave to raise her baby. “We think the people at Adoption Connection are great,” says Dave. “They have always been… Read More

Danny K. and Ron C. with their son, Beckett, 3 “Adoption Connection did a great job in preparing us to become dads. They took us through every possible adoption scenario—from the smoothest to the most challenging. The more we learned to let go and allow things to unfold naturally, the more relaxed we were.  We felt totally supported. “We also learned during the adoption process how important it is to understand what the birthmother is going through, which helped us to be sensitive and thoughtful in our interactions with her. Beckett was born literally hours after we had an… Read More

On Friday, May 17, JFCS’ Adoption Connection was honored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for our work with LGBT families. Ellen Kahn, Director of HRC’s Family Project, came to personally present the All Children – All Families Agency Seal of Recognition*. As many of you know, Adoption Connection has welcomed LGBT families in our adoption program since its inception in 1985.  Being inclusive seemed completely natural and normal to us when we started out, and LGBT outreach has been an integral part of our program for 28 years. Ellen acknowledged that while Adoption Connection has been providing services to… Read More