Support Groups
Adoption support groups can help a family by connecting them with other adoptive families. This allows them to share experiences and learn from others who are in a similar situation. To find a support group in your area, browse the appropriate region listed below or view the statewide services listed at the bottom of this page.
Chicago and Outlying Area
*Adoptive Families Today
P. O. Box 1726
Barrington, IL 60011-1726
Contact: Juli Dunsing
847-382-0858
www.adoptivefamiliestoday.org
Counties served: Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage and Kane
"Support group for adoptive families, birth parents and adopted persons."
Chicago Area Families for Adoption (CAFFA)
PMB 108
1212 S. Naper Blvd.
Ste. 119
Naperville, IL 60540-8360
Contact: Shila M. Khan
708-792-3678
www.caffa.org
Email:
Counties served: Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, Lake, Kendall and McHenry
SANKOFA - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Initiative
1500 S. Keeler
Chicago, IL 60623
Contact: Wendy Byrd
Fax: 773-542-8634
Email:
Counties Served: Cook (primarily the North Lawndale and Austin neighborhoods of Chicago, but won't turn away any families)
PFFC We Care Parent Support Group
3333 W. Arthington
Ste. 150
Chicago, IL 60624
Contact: Sandra Glenn
773-863-5694
www.pffc.blogspot.com
Email:
County served: Cook
Has a "referral corner" for adoptive and foster care informational resources.
Rainbow Families of Illinois
773-472-6469 x464
www.rainbowfamilies-il.net
Email:
Includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents and their children, as well as those considering parenthood.
*Stars of David International, Inc.
Chicago Area Chapter
3175 Commercial Ave.
Ste. #100
Northbrook, IL 60062-1915
Contact: Elyse Flack
800-STAR-349 or
773-274-1527 (phone and fax)
www.starsofdavid.org
Email:
Counties served: Cook and Lake
*Includes families who have adopted internationally
Northern Illinois
*DeKalb Area Adoptive Families
246 Rolfe Rd.
DeKalb, IL 60115-3148
Contact: Diane DeMers
815-756-3874
Email:
Counties served: DeKalb and neighboring counties.
DeKalb Area Friends of Fostering
Contact: Patty Ihm
815-751-4061
Meets the 2nd Saturday of every month at 7:00pm at the Dekalb DCFS office.
Holt-Sunny Ridge Children's Services
270 Remington Blvd, Suite C
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Contact: Pam Shepard
630-754-4508
Post adoptive therapy services and Girls Group for young adoptees.
Parents With Pride
1511 Trainer Rd.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4661
Serves gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender parents.
*Includes families who have adopted internationally
Central Illinois
*LSSI: Adoptive Parent Support Group
4709 44th St.
Ste. 1
Rock Island, IL 61201
Contact: Susan Goble
309-786-6400
Counties served: Rock Island and surrounding counties
Meets every 3rd Thursday from 6:00pm-7:30pm
*LSSI: Adoptive Parent Support Group
103 S. County Fair Dr.
Champaign, IL 61821
Contact: Judie Watson
217-398-3011
County served: Champaign and surrounding counties
Meets every 3rd Thursday from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Project Success - Family Tree Adoption Connections
101 W. North St.
Danville, IL 61832
Contact: Michael Courtwright
217-446-3200
Email:
Counties Served: Vermillion
Family Service Center - Adopt Illinois
730 E. Vine
Springfield, IL 62703
Contact: Paige Lees
217-528-8406
Counties served: Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Montgomery, Morgan and Menard
*Includes families who have adopted internationally
Southern Illinois
*LSSI: Adoptive Parent Support Group
1616 W. Main St.
Marion, IL 62959
Contact: Beth Richardson
618-997-9196
Counties served: All 28 southern counties
Meets every 2nd Thursday from 6:00pm-7:30pm
*Includes families who have adopted internationally
Statewide Services
*Families of Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA-IL)
P.O. Box 2944
Merrifield, VA 22116
Contact: Cheryl Krueger
703-560-6184
www.frua.org
Email:
Membership Fee: $35 annually
For upcoming events and meetings, visit www.orgsites.com/il/frua-il
Kaleidoscope Culture Camp
A program of CAFFA
630-384-9433
Email:
Camp for Chinese, African American, Eastern European and Latin American children to learn about their heritage. One week day camp takes place 3rd full week of July.
*Includes families who have adopted internationally
