A gratitude letter from Lisa -

As we close out this year, I'm reflecting on everything I - and Adopt - have to be thankful for this year.

If you've read any of my emails this year, you already know that this year we celebrated 40 years of Adopt and BAAS’s combined impact in the lives of women, children, families, and the greater adoption community!

At the top of my gratitude list this year are the staff who got us through this year and have been there for every one of our 40 years, making sure all of our families have the support they need, from the moment they first meet us to long after their children are grown. I am especially grateful to every single staff member (full-time, part-time, intern, volunteer) who has helped us through any of our accreditation years - that process is no joke.

I am grateful to the Board and Advisory Board who provide their leadership, time, and expertise to make sure that we can continue operating as a nonprofit organization, putting service to our children and our community first in every decision we make and everything we do. Thank you especially to those who led through this landmark year and those who oversaw the merger of Adopt and BAAS five years ago.

I am grateful for every member of our extended Adopt community, whether you are an adoptee, a first parent or an adoptive parent; just beginning your adoption journey or one of the first families we ever served; here in the Bay Area or halfway around the world. Thank you for choosing Adopt and BAAS over the years and trusting us.

And this particular year, I am so very grateful for all the time we got to spend with our community. Thank you to those of you who -

Flew kites at Tunnel Tops park with us,
Put the LOVE in Love Party with us,
Kicked soccer balls around a park in Hawaii with us,
Golfed and snacked in SF with us,
Cheered the home team (go Giants!) at Oracle Park with us,
Shared a potluck meal in the South Bay with us,
Raised a glass at Waiting Family Happy Hour with us,
Celebrated Jemenei Day in Sacramento with us,
Toasted 40 years at Date Night (and helped us meet our $40,000 fundraising goal!!) with us.

And finally, thank you in advance to anyone who chooses to include Adopt in your year end giving plans by making a gift to this campaign. Hitting our goal of $30,000 before January 1 will ensure our agency is off to a great start in 2025 and poised to make as much positive impact as possible in the coming year. Thank you!

With love and gratitude,

Lisa

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Our History and Philosophy

Adopt International is a §501c3 non-profit Hague accredited adoption agency licensed throughout California and Hawaii. In 2019, Adopt merged with Bay Area Adoption Services.

Our Founder and previous Executive Director, Lynne Silver (Lynne Jacobs), opened Adopt determined to create an agency and atmosphere of openness and education. Since our initial licensure by the State of California in 1983, we have helped create over 6000 families through domestic and international adoptions.

We currently provide both domestic and international adoption placement services. Our staff is trained and experienced with many types of adoption. We support families in making educated decisions and in choosing the best situation for them, while always centering the best interest of each and every child.

We assist birth families in making personalized plans for their adoption. We encourage open adoption whenever possible while understanding that open adoption experiences vary by family. Some families exchange pictures and letters and some have phone calls and visits with their child's first family members.

International adoption brings an amazing world of culture and ethics into the life of an adoptive family. Many families feel motivated to participate in programs that support children that will always remain in their home countries. This assistance may include support for education, food, clothing, and medical care. In addition, we believe the joy of being connected to another culture - that of your child's birthplace - is amazing, and an incredible way to enrich your family's future.

We are an agency that prides ourselves on conducting our Home Studies with respect and openness. Using the most current research, we are able to conduct home studies that include an educational component, teaching those issues that provide for the healthy adjustment of children and parents.

We facilitate domestic adoptions for families in California and Hawaii and place children born internationally with families all over the United States. In accordance with our philosophy of openness, we proudly work with traditional and non-traditional families alike.

Bay Area Adoption Services

Prior to 2020, Bay Area Adoption Services (BAAS) existed as a separate agency. In December 2019, Adopt International and BAAS completed a legal merger to bring their services under a single umbrella, operating under the Adopt International license.

BAAS was founded as a parent-led, non-profit, international adoption agency in 1984 with a commitment to connect children and families worldwide. In its 35 years of existence as an independent agency, BAAS welcomed children from over 50 countries, including China, Colombia, India, Russia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines to families in the United States.

Adopt International strives to uphold the principles upon which BAAS was founded - centering the needs and well-being of children and providing excellent support before, during, and after the adoption process with an emphasis on parent education.

Adopt Year End 2024 Fundraising Campaign

Help us finish out the year on a strong note

Team Members