New York, NEW YORK, July 26, 2005 - The Filipino Adoptees Network (F.A.N.) is pleased to announce that two representatives will return to the Philippines in August to advocate for increased post-adoption services for adoptees. Lorial Crowder, 28, and Mark Kunkel, 29, will attend the 8th Global Consultation on Child Welfare Services and the 3rd International Conference of Adoptive Families of Filipino Children, hosted by the Philippines Inter-Country Adoption Board. Ms. Crowder,
MSW, and Mr. Kunkel, BA, will give a presentation on "The Psychological Impact of Growing Up Adopted in Mixed Race Communities." Using examples from their personal histories, Ms. Crowder and Mr. Kunkel will discuss the neurobiology of adoption and the need for self-determined post-adoption services for Filipino adoptees.
In the United States alone, from 1990 – 2004, 4,222 immigrant visas were issued to orphans from the Philippines. However, taking care of the physical needs of a child is only the initial requirement of a child's emotional well-being. After placement, very few resources from volunteer groups and adoption agencies exist to support individuals adopted from the Philippines. As more and more older Filipino adoptees share their stories, the gap in services is increasingly obvious. Adoption is now an institution, and the need for institutionalized post-adoption services to address societal issues of secrecy, guilt, shame, poverty, colonialism, and racism is imperative.
"The 30th Anniversary of the Inter-Country Adoption Program of the Philippines is an opportunity to reflect, and to commit to increased support for self-determined post-adoption services for Filipino adoptees," says F.A.N member Mark Kunkel. "It is time to move beyond platitudes and simplistic understandings of adoption. The causes, processes, long term effects, and realities of adoption must be examined. We need the support and participation of all stakeholders in Filipino adoption."
About the Filipino Adoptees Network
Launched by Lorial Crowder and Sharon Cuartero in January 2005, the Filipino Adoptees Network (F.A.N.) is the first and only global organization for and by Filipino adoptees dedicated to supporting, educating, preserving Filipino heritage, and promoting cultural awareness on adoption issues. The initial successes of F.A.N. emphasizes the need for further expansion and support.
For information, contact:
Lorial Crowder, Co-Founder
Filipino Adoptees Network
Phone: (347) 886-4469
Email: lcrowder@filipino-adoptees-network.org