Adoption Council of Ontario
36 Eglinton Ave. West Suite 503 M4R1A1 Toronto, ON, Canada

Last week the ACO had a very special panel discussion, COVID-19 and The December Holidays. This hour long conversation was insightful, informative and very profound. You can access the recording of this panel for the next two weeks here: http://ow.ly/lYxW50CSkAS

You can try to build a bond for 4 years and it can go nowhere, but sometimes you can build a bond in 4 months with someone and it means everything." - Leah, 18 The NTL program in partnership with StepStones for Youth connected Leah and her son Zye with Colleen in early 2020. They continue to be part of the NTL community, most famously as hosts of our community karaoke nights. Read more about what NTL is up to in their December newsletter: http://ow.ly/ZrDG50CRtQW

Holiday Giving is all about our children and youth! Today we are hearing from our children and youth! They helped us put together an amazing video to tell us just how important Youth Networks are to them. Watch here: http://ow.ly/OWWN50CPAs9 Donate today: http://ow.ly/p7Us50CPArG

LAST CHANCE! Registration for our panel discussion on COVID-19 & the December Holidays is closing at 11 am today! This conversation is all about helping families prepare for the December holiday season and the added complexities of COVID-19 this year on our kids and families. Register here: http://ow.ly/fz1o50CN1pd

Education Month is continuing into this upcoming weekend! We have a FREE event on Saturday, November 21st, Trauma-Informed Education for Educators! A presentation about the importance of relationship-based trauma-informed education and Belonging classrooms. Learn more and register here: http://ow.ly/46MO50Cnxh9

As ED of the ACO, I want to say that the Board, staff and volunteers of the ACO are very excited to be a partner with the Ontario government in the Central Intake Initiative and to have additional funding for our Pathways specialized training programs for adoptive parents. These are vital services and supports and we thank and applaud the government in their initiatives for children and families in Ontario in need of permanency and support. - Dianne Mathes, ACO Executive Director

Join in Beneath the Blanket of Permanence: Uncovering the Truth of the Journey on December 4th, 2020! This training is hosted by Karen Moore, MA (Leadership), BSDS, ECE, RSW and will address the key concepts of permanency while also reviewing strategies to support when times get really hard. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/pb8f50Cn3N5

Join the ACO in a FREE panel taking place Wednesday, December 16th at noon! This conversation is all about helping families prepare for the December holiday season and the added complexities of COVID-19 this year on our kids and families. Register here: http://ow.ly/OxvD50CJfBl

No matter the age, everyone needs a family: people to rely on, make happy memories with and who come alongside you to celebrate accomplishments. Attend our upcoming Online Profile Event, Teenage Titans, to learn about some incredible teens! Learn more: http://ow.ly/uygB50Cnhax

#AdoptionAwarenessMonth is filled with many opportunities for those on adoption and permanency journeys to learn more! Check out some incredible live panel's on Thursday, November 19th hosted by Adopt4LifeOntario's Adoptive Parents Association and Wednesday, November 25th hosted by Adoption Council of Canada/Conseil d'adoption du Canada. These panels will be live streamed over Facebook and will include first-voice insights of youth: http://ow.ly/WYGn50Cn2PS

Watch Hilary's incredible adoption journey here. This is a beautiful video that also touches on openness. Tonight we are hosting an Openness Webinar that will discuss the importance of openness now and in the future: http://ow.ly/hcSw50CpAaD Thank you Hilary for sharing your story!

"What led me here was a trip with a group of people who want to call me family. The lake and the family aren't that different. I equate my life-altering swim with a life-altering change from my past." - Vivian, NTL Team Member Vivian reflects on a life-altering swim across Lake Muskoka, and how the experience is reminiscent of her journey with family and permanency. You can read it in our latest newsletter and get the scoop on what's going on with NTL: http://ow.ly/7bZs50C2VMK

Week three of Education Month is here and it is focused on pre-adoptive families! We have some great educational opportunities for families that are starting their adoption and permanency journeys! Our events this week will be thought provoking and informative. Learn more and register here: http://ow.ly/7joY50ClOLs

Today, on October 27th, The ACO is wearing purple shirts! We support families in Ontario and work to raise awareness about the needs for children and families in adoption and permanency. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/UMfR50C3XHd #IDressPurpleBecause #DressPurpleDay2020

Adverse Childhood Experiences including abuse and neglect have long term effects on physical and mental health across the life span. Raising awareness about the impact of child abuse and neglect and supporting all children, youth and families who need support can improve health and well-being for generations to come. #DressPurpleDay2020 See this new graphic about the 3 realms of ACEs (attached) and learn more about development trauma and the work of Ontario’s DTAA here: http://ow.ly/BPV550C3NtU

"Enjoyed (the speaker's) down-to-earth, straight talk." ACO Education Day has been such a hit that we knew we had to create an entire month this year! We are bringing new, never seen before webinars, panels and conversations with incredible speakers! What are you waiting for? Register right now for Education Month: http://ow.ly/F5AA50C2VnR

Get out your costumes and candy! We know that Halloween is going to look a little different this year, so the Adoption Council of Ontario wants to bring kids together virtually to share their excitement through our Special Halloween Kids Hangout Sessions taking place October 31st! Learn more about our Halloween and our 16+ session, also taking place this week, here: http://ow.ly/2ddo50C14ot

Why is Education Month so special? It is an educational opportunity for everyone across the province of Ontario! We have made this month inclusive and invite everyone impacted by adoption to attend. Celebrate Adoption Awareness Month with us by attending a full month worth of webinars, conversations, presentations and more. We really hope you can join us! Learn more here: http://ow.ly/c4h450C19nJ

Education Month is fast approaching! Check out our packed schedule, which includes specific weeks that reflect the perspectives of adoptees, first families, pre-adoptive families and adoptive families. What are some of the other benefits of Education Month? Hours of live virtual presentations, recordings made available after and weekly resource lists! Learn more and register here: http://ow.ly/CCzg50BYzQN

It has been so much fun to laugh and meet other kids. We are holding another 16+ Youth Hangout Session tomorrow evening! These are free sessions that bring youth together to have fun and catch up virtually. Learn more and register here: http://ow.ly/K5Mg50BWvUH

ACO Education Month is HERE! Celebrate Adoption Awareness Month with us by attending a full month worth of webinars, conversations, presentations and more! Let's listen and learn together and continue to build and deepen our wonderful community. Learn more by checking out our new flyer: http://ow.ly/X7AG50BUFbg Register right here: http://ow.ly/xwW950BUFbh

Our Fall ACT begins on October 19th! ACT provides professionals with a framework for working with all those touched by adoption and permanency journeys. Facilitated by Karen Moore, this course will be held virtually on Monday and Thursday mornings over 8 weeks. Learn more and register here http://ow.ly/fDC950BHIM3

Register NOW for A Conversation about Going Back to School This Year, with DTAA members taking place tonight! This free conversation will feature panelists including, Leticia Gracia, MSW, RSW, Dr. Wendy Manel and Dr. Sian Phillips. Get all of your questions answered and address all of the issues and considerations for going back to school during COVID-19. Learn more and register here: http://ow.ly/nFSC50BFWqk

Today is the last chance to join in a FREE coaching session with a Pathways trainer! Are the Pathways concepts working for you? What other topics would you like to learn more about? All of this and more will be discussed in a small group setting! Learn more and register for our session tonight: http://ow.ly/zc8J50BDE91