Domestic Adoption
New office reaching out to more women
Since 1993, Adoption Associates, Inc. has been Michigan’s leader in domestic infant placements. In 2005, 34% of AAI’s domestic infant placements were of full African-American or biracial children. “We are especially proud that we serve many African-American women, providing them with excellent families for their children,” said AAI’s Executive Director, Jane Bareman. “Opening an office in Detroit is an effort to better serve clients in the city,” said Paula Springer, Director of AAI’s Eastern Michigan Offices. “We felt it was important to have an office location where clients can meet with AAI staff, and also to work with local community referral sources to help educate community members about the positive option of adoption.”
Comprehensive adoption services
AAI has a strong interest in reaching out to African-American women promoting adoption as an alternative to abortion. “This new office in Detroit is a way to offer comprehensive adoption services to the community that have not been previously available. We are excited about making a positive contribution to the city through our work with women facing unplanned pregnancies,” said Dick Van Deelen, Founding Director of Adoption Associates, Inc.
Detroit’s population is over 50% African-American, having less than 10% of the state’s total population, but more than 20% of Michigan’s abortions. Statistics show that one out of every three women entering an abortion clinic today is African-American, with 13 million African-American children having been aborted since 1973.
Spreading the mission of adoption
The office Grand Opening and Reception was held on June 29, but Guidance Consultant Cheryl Layfield has been hard at work since January spreading the mission of adoption throughout the community. Cheryl was the recipient of The Pioneer Woman of 2004 from the City of Detroit, Wayne County Board of Commissioners, and is truly a community activist! Cheryl visits hospitals, crisis pregnancy centers, clinics, and shelters in the hope that AAI can lend a helping hand to women in need.
Several prominent members of the Detroit community, as well as representatives from the city, state, and federal government were on hand at the Grand Opening to express their support of the agency and its mission. One of the special guest speakers was 35 year old Khadijah, one of the first birth mothers to plan adoption through the Detroit office. She attended with her 14 year old daughter and spoke about her experience and the pride she feels in making the best decision for all of her children by choosing adoption.
AAI is very excited for the future of this office and what it will mean to the surrounding community.
More information
AAI’s Detroit office is located at 3000 Gratiot Ave. in the Van Elslander Family Center. For more information call 313.393.3040 or e-mail detroit@adoptionassociates.net.
