I want to support adoptees’ ability to connect well before they plant an Adoptees Connect group in their community. If you are reading this, you are the first to learn of this exciting news!
Introducing IGNITE—Sparking Adoptee Fires Around The Globe, a vision brought to life by Pamela A. Karanova, president of Adoptees Connect, Inc. Where little adoptee fires start, bigger adoptee fires are to follow.
While the mission and vision behind Adoptees Connect, Inc. is to connect adoptees by creating in-person communities that create validating spaces for adult adoptees, my vision is moving beyond this fantastic resource for the adoptee community. After several months of vision, planning, and processing, I am excited to share this incredible project.
I want to support adoptees’ ability to connect well before they plant an Adoptees Connect group in their community. Over the last several years, I have learned that, often, what holds an adoptee back from planting a group is the lack of adoptee connections they have in the community where they wish to create a group.
IGNITE Friendship Portal will change that.
Think of an “In-person, Adoptee friendship match-making community!”
WHY IS CONNECTING WITH ADOPTEES IN PERSON SO IMPORTANT?
In today’s digital age, it’s becoming increasingly common for people to rely on online communication platforms to connect with others. While online communication certainly has its benefits, there are also numerous advantages to connecting with others 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 an adoptee 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 adopted 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 adoptee conversation at a networking event, a shared meal with friends, or a group outing to a local event, these in-person interactions can help strengthen relationships and create lasting memories. 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 create 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.
Overall, while online communication can be convenient and efficient, there are numerous benefits to connecting with other adoptees in person. From building stronger relationships to fostering a sense of community, in-person interactions can have a lasting impact on our mental, emotional, and social well-being. So, next time you have the opportunity to meet an adoptee face-to-face, consider taking advantage of the benefits that come with connecting in person.
ENDING ADOPTEE ISOLATION AND ALONENESS
Isolation and aloneness for adoptees can have serious negative impacts on both mental and physical health. Some of the potential harms of isolation and aloneness include:
1. Increased risk of mental health issues: Isolation and loneliness have been linked to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Without social interaction and support from fellow adoptees, individuals may feel isolated, hopeless, and disconnected from others, themselves, and the world.
2. Decline in cognitive function: A lack of social interaction and mental stimulation with other adoptees can lead to cognitive decline and a higher risk of developing conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Poor physical health outcomes: Isolation and aloneness for adoptees have been associated with a higher risk of developing chronic health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Without social support, individuals may be less likely to engage in healthy behaviors such as self-care, exercise, and proper nutrition.
4. Decreased quality of life: Feeling isolated and alone can decrease quality of life and overall well-being. Without meaningful social connections, adopted individuals may experience feelings of emptiness, boredom, and a lack of purpose.
5. Increased mortality risk: Research has shown that adopted individuals who are socially isolated and lonely have a higher risk of health issues. Social adoptee connections and support are essential for overall health and longevity. It is crucial for individuals who are experiencing adoptee isolation and aloneness to reach out for support and connection with other adoptees. This could include contacting adoptee friends, joining social adoptee groups or adoptee clubs, or seeking adoptee-informed therapy or counseling. Building meaningful adoptee social connections can help combat the negative impacts of isolation and promote overall well-being.
WHY ARE IN PERSON CONNECTIONS SO IMPORTANT?
1. Adoptee Support: Being part of an adoptee community allows adopted individuals to receive support from others during difficult times. This support can come in the form of emotional support, practical help, or simply knowing that others are there for you.
2. Adoptee Belonging: Connection with other adoptees helps individuals feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. This can boost self-esteem and overall well-being.
3. Adoptee Socialization: Being part of an adoptee community provides opportunities for social interaction and can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
4. Adoptee Collaboration: Connection and community with fellow adoptees can facilitate collaboration and cooperation among adopted individuals, leading to the sharing of resources, ideas, and skills.
5. Adoptee Networking: Being part of an adoptee community can provide individuals with opportunities to network, build adoptee-centric relationships, and advance their personal and professional goals.
6. Adoptee Health benefits: Research has shown that social connection and community involvement are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes for adoptees. Strong social adoptee connections can help reduce stress, improve immune function, and increase longevity. Overall, connection and community with others who speak the same language are essential for fostering relationships, providing adoptee-centric support, and creating a sense of belonging and purpose in adoptee’s lives.
Community and making new adoptee friendships play a crucial role in our lives, which is why the IGNITE Friendship Platform was created. Building in-person connections with other adoptees provides us with a sense of belonging and support and enhances our overall well-being.
By engaging with our adoptee community and forming new relationships, we can expand our perspectives, learn from others, and create a sense of unity and solidarity. These connections help us navigate life’s challenges, celebrate our successes, and enrich our experiences. Ultimately, fostering a sense of community and making new friendships is essential for our personal growth and happiness.
WHAT EXACTLY IS IGNITE Friendship Portal?
IGNITE was created to connect with other adoptees in your specific location. It is a Facebook group that adoptees can join to spark new friendships with fellow adoptees by creating an IGNITE Friendship Profile. The goal is to meet in person for fun activities together.
The group is set up with featured posts, where five have specific content that the user must read and agree to to post a Friendship Profile on IGNITE. The five posts they need to comment on are Safety, Guidelines, Social Media Disclaimer, Non-Discrimination Disclaimer, and FAQ’s. Once they read and agree (must comment “read and agree”), they move to the file section, download the IGNITE Friendship Portal Questionnaire, and follow the instructions for posting their IGNITE Friendship Profile. Once they complete their profile, they post it into the group. The search field in the group will be your best friend. Adoptees are going to connect by searching for their specific location. An example of an IGNITE Friendship Profile is mine, which I encourage adoptees to look up to get used to the search feature in the IGNITE group and to see my profile, which is an example they can use to set up theirs! the IGNITE Friendship Portal, you will “Agree & Sign” Safety, Guidelines, FAQs, Social Media Disclaimer, & Non-Discriminatory Statement.”
It’s all straightforward, but the overwhelming amount of reading about how the group works, what we can’t do, and each section that needs to be read is essential. I suggest you get a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever and sit awhile when you decide to IGNITE your FRIENDSHIP PROFILE.
You must post your profile 72 hours after being accepted, or you will be removed and have to rejoin at a later date. Remember, it will take time to grow the community, so patience and helping spread the word are critical to the growth and connections of the adoptees in the group.
YOU MUST BE ADOPTED TO JOIN.
You also must be available to meet in person with other adoptees in your area. Please consider planting an Adoptees Connect group in your area, and if that’s not a good fit for you, you should consider joining a group in your area if another adoptee plants a group. These things aren’t mandatory to join IGNITE. Still, I ask you to consider them because the hope in creating IGNITE is that we plan to plant more in-person Adoptee Connect groups around the USA and beyond and make adoptee-centric connections in our specific locations.
The group’s RULES, which you can see before you join, clearly outline everything. These guidelines help the group focus on its purpose and make it a positive experience.
If any of our Adoptees Connect facilitators or attendees are reading this, I would love it if you all joined the group and completed an IGNITE Friendship Profile. As you already have a group that meets regularly, you can post about your group’s meetings and share the meetups you are having. You can read more about this once you join the group!
For all other adoptees who don’t have a local Adoptees Connect group or attend one of our groups, this is your chance to start connecting with fellow adoptees in your area. The goal is to make new connections and possibly plant an Adoptees Connect group in your area or join a group if someone else plants one.
I hope this resource lights fires in our communities because big fires are to follow when little adoptee fires start. Meeting adoptees in person can be a magical experience that I hope we all have. IGNITE was created as a friendship portal to help make this happen. We will approve applications to join IGNITE once a week. Use the hashtag #IGNITEbyadopteesconnect, and tag the @adopteesconnect social media when posting about the IGNITE Friendship Portal.
I hope you enjoy the IGNITE platform as much as I do! Everything is ready and set up for you! To join, please click this link: IGNITE: Sparking Adoptee Fires Around The Globe! Please share this post around in your adoptee circles! Please also consider including this resource on social media and writing about it on your platforms. The more shares, the more adoptees will connect on this platform! That one share could change an adoptee’s life forever!
To view the IGNITE Friendship Portal Guidelines, click here.
To view the IGNITE Friendship Portal FAQs, click here.
To view instructions on setting up your IGNITE Friendship Portal Profile after joining the group, click here.
Here’s the direct link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ignitebyadopteesconnect/
FYI: If you aren’t a Facebook User (many are not!) I am considering setting up an IGNITE Friendship Portal on LinkedIn if I learn of a need for this. Please let me know by commenting below.
Q & A
Adoptees: Will you consider joining the IGNITE Friendship Platform? Are you interested in connecting with adoptees in person in your area? If you knew more adoptees in your area, would you consider planting an Adoptees Connect group in your city? Would you join an Adoptees Connect group if you had one meeting in person in your city? Drop your thoughts below!
Where Adoptee Voices Meet 