How to be an Adoption Advocate

Do you sometimes feel like you're standing on your head to find ways to support your friends on their adoption quest?
Try becoming an adoption advocate. It's easy. First, review your qualifications to be an Adoption Advocate. Ask your self these questions:

1. Am I human?
2. Do I believe that adoption is an acceptable solution to an unplanned or crisis pregnancy?

If you answered yes to both of these questions, congratulations. You are qualified to be an adoption advocate.
There are many levels of adoption advocacy. Choose the one that fits your comfort level.
Beginner

• Use positive adoption language and gently correct others who don't.
• Share the positive adoption stories of your friends and family.
• Tell the stories of your friends and family who are seeking to build their family through adoption.
• Join a support group for adoptive families.

Intermediate

• Ask your local library to feature a display of adoption related books in celebration of "National Adoption Awareness Month (November)
• Ask your church leaders to present a sermon on adoption.
• Donate adoption books to school libraries and classrooms.
• Write an article or editorial for your local newspaper about adoption.

Advanced

• Write a letter to your Senator or Congressional official indicating your support of adoption and asking them to sponsor legislation that is favorable to adoption.
• Lobby your employer to provide adoption benefits. Visit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for more details.
• Ask a principal or schoolteacher if you can make a presentation on adoption to their students. Ask me how!
• Present an adoption message to your Sunday School or Church. Ask me how!

There are many ways to be an advocate for adoption. I have only scratched the surface here. I just wanted to show that you don't have to be a social worker or an adoptive parent to be an advocate.