What is IGNITE Friendship Portal? Click here to learn more before proceeding: Introducing IGNITE—Sparking Adoptee Fires Around The Globe by Pamela A. Karanova and Adoptees Connect, Inc.
IGNITE Friendship Portal FAQ’s
Q. Why was the IGNITE Friendship Portal created?
A. Pamela A. Karanova, the President of Adoptees Connect, Inc., has noticed over the last six years of Adoptees Connect, Inc. being a nonprofit organization, that adoptees often don’t plant groups because they don’t know any other adoptees in their community. Out of this need, IGNITE was created. She also realizes that not everyone is interested in planting a group, and they still want to connect with other adoptees locally. Her heart for adoptees being able to connect in person is significant because she knows isolation and aloneness are paramount for many adoptees. Sometimes, that one in-person, adoptee friendship can change everything. She wants all adoptees to have that lifeline, regardless of whether an Adoptees Connect group is in that community.
Q. Why are Adoptees Connect, Inc. and IGNITE centered around meeting in person?
A. Pamela A. Karanova believes while online communication certainly has its benefits, there are also numerous advantages to connecting with other adoptees in person. One of the most significant benefits of connecting in person is the ability to truly engage with someone on a deeper level. When you meet someone face-to-face, you can pick up on their body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, providing valuable insights into their emotions and intentions. This can help foster trust and understanding between individuals, allowing for more authentic and meaningful interactions. In-person adoptee connections also allow for more opportunities for spontaneous interactions and shared experiences. Whether it’s a spontaneous conversation at an adoptee networking event, a shared meal with friends, or a group outing to a local event, these in-person adoptee interactions can help strengthen relationships and create lasting memories. Pamela has also stood up to online cyber mobbing, bullying, and vicious attacks online in the adoptee community. Meeting in person sets a different tone and bypasses these dynamics. Additionally, connecting in person can build a sense of community and belonging. Humans are naturally social beings, and face-to-face adoptee interactions can help develop a sense of connection and unity within a group. This can be especially beneficial for those adoptees who may be feeling isolated or lonely, as it provides an opportunity to build meaningful relationships and establish a support system with other adoptees in their community.
Q. Do I have to commit to planting an Adoptees Connect group to join the IGNITE friendship portal group?
A. No, you do not; however, our hope in creating IGNITE is that you start to make adoptee-centric connections in your specific community so you consider planting one. If you do not want to assume that role, some other adoptees you connect with in your area may. We are centered around sparking adoptee connections, so making adoptee friends via the IGNITE friendship portal in your area, even without planting an Adoptees Connect group, is essential for validation, community, and connection.
Q. Can I join the IGNITE friendship portal even if I am not a part of an Adoptees Connect group?
A. Sure! We want you to join. We do hope that if a group is planted in your area, you will consider attending, but it is optional to join IGNITE.
Q. Why don’t you create an APP for the IGNITE Friendship portal?
A. That’s a great question! Creating an APP is the ultimate vision we have for IGNITE. Still, with Adoptees Connect, Inc. being a nonprofit organization, we hope to find some individuals to help fund such a project and software developers to help build the APP. If you are an adoptee reading this and are interested in supporting us in this way, we would love to hear from you! Please email adopteesconnect@gmail.com. ATTN: IGNITE
Q. Why do the admins not answer inbox messages about IGNITE on social media?
A. Because we are all 100% volunteer-based, we can’t keep up with inbox messages. We would love to hear from you by email with any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, and celebrations you want to share. We will respond to emails as our availability allows. adopteesconnect@gmail.com
Q. What if I comment on an adoptee’s IGNITE Friendship Profile post to let them know I am interested in making friends, and they don’t respond to me?
A. We realize rejection is especially painful for many adoptees, but there could be a million reasons someone doesn’t respond, and we can’t get wrapped up in all the “whys.” We know it can be disappointing, but please try not to take it personally because, usually, it’s not.
Q. If I create my IGNITE Friendship Profile, and I decide the portal is not for me, how do I remove my profile?
A. All you do is put your name in the group’s search field and visit your Friendship Profile post. You will see three small dots in the post’s upper left corner. Click that, and you will find the option to delete your friendship profile.
Q. I need help understanding how the portal works. Can someone from your admin team help me set up my friendship profile?
A. Unfortunately, because we are 100% volunteer-based, we can not assist this way. However, you will likely find some candidates if you post on social media asking someone to help you. You can also ask a close family member or friend to help you. If you read 100% of the rules, guidelines, and featured posts, as we’ve required, you will likely understand the process more thoroughly. If you still have questions, please email adopteesconnect@gmail.com.
Q. Once I start meeting adoptees in my area and having meetups with 3+ adoptees together, can I advertise my group as an Adoptees Connect group?
A. Please meet up with other adoptees and create your in-person adoptee community. Still, we require anyone using the Adoptees Connect name to be registered as an official Adoptees Connect group. If you meet with three or four (or more) adoptees in your area regularly, we encourage you to plant an Adoptees Connect group. The great news is that this process is straightforward to do! We also offer scholarships for those who need help to plant a group. If you choose not to plant a group, please understand that you can not advertise your group as an Adoptees Connect group because it is copyrighted, and we have guidelines on planting groups that you will need to know about. If you consider planting a group, please visit this link. https://adopteesconnect.com/start-an-affiliate/
Q. Can I use the IGNITE Friendship Portal name to post on social media if I connect one-on-one with other adoptees?
A. Yes, we encourage it and hope you help spread the word on how you connected with other adoptees in your area. Use hashtags #IGNITEbyadopteesconnect and #adopteesconnect, and tag our pages. We would love to share your posts! Ensure you receive the okay to post photos of each person on social media before posting them.
Q. What if I have already decided to plant an Adoptees Connect group? What is the process for starting one?
A. This is exciting on every level. We’ve spent the last six years getting ready for you! Please understand that all you need is you and one other adoptee to plant a group. It will grow in time.
Visit this link to learn more.
If you want to apply to plant a group, visit this link.
Q. What if someone on the IGNITE Friendship Portal is harassing me?
A. Please email us ASAP so we can discuss the situation. adopteesconnect@gmail.com.
Q. Is IGNITE Friendship Portal safe?
A. See our featured post titled SAFETY.
Q. Do you have social media for IGNITE?
A. We don’t, but we encourage you to use the Adoptees Connect social media as it’s directly connected with the IGNITE Friendship Portal.
Q. Should I contact people in the IGNITE Friendship Portal directly and send friend requests directly?
A. We strongly discourage this. We want the communication to stay in the group, allowing the other person to decide to connect first. Once they have commented that they want to connect, feel free to take the interaction to your messenger. Again, do not post contact information in the group.
Once joining the group please type “READ & AGREE” after you have read this statement. We will not approve your IGNITE profile until this is completed for all FEATURED posts.
Email: adopteesconnect@gmail.com with questions.
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