Adoptive Families Together

CONTACT:

418 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-929-3800
www.mspcc.org/aft

Linda Grillo, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Parents who accept the challenge of loving and rearing one of the 4,000 children waiting to be adopted across the Commonwealth quickly learn that love alone is not enough in raising children who have experienced extreme rejection, abuse, neglect, or even permanent injury. These dedicated parents often need additional help, and it is for them that Adoptive Families Together was created in 1992. AFT is a grassroots volunteer organization founded by adoptive parents to provide post-adoptive services -- mainly emotional support, education and information -- for each other. In its first year, four AFT parent groups met regularly; by 1999, 20 groups were meeting monthly across the Commonwealth. The nation's foster care caseload is escalating rapidly, and with the passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, the number of adoptions in Massachusetts doubled by 2002. AFT needs your help to support the permanent placement of these children in their adoptive families.

(1999: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)