County adoption group to hold open house

Middletown — Are you considering adopting a child but you’re not sure where to begin? It may seem easy enough to log into one of the many adoption websites or attend a local adoption conference. But chances are you could find the sheer volume of information overwhelming and the explanation of different adoption methods confusing. The Adoption Group of Orange County is holding its annual open house at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Wallkill Community Center in Middletown (just off Rt. 211 East). Members of the group will help people figure out what type of adoption they would like to pursue: domestic or international, private or with an agency, or through the foster care system at the county’s social services department. In many cases, people have received erroneous information about adoption through the media, friends, or relatives, according to the Adoption Group. Many members have been through the expense and emotional roller coaster of infertility treatments and really want a baby of their own. Others already have a biological child but want to add to their family through adoption. Some want to help give older children now in foster care a real “forever” home. The Adoption Group provides newcomers with recent, real adoption experiences and the chance to find out what might work for them. The Adoption Group of Orange County is an all-volunteer, non-profit support group for families formed by adoption and people interested in learning more about adopting a child. The group holds monthly meetings, pre-adoption workshops, nights out, play groups, holiday parties, family outings and special celebrations, a lending library, and a monthly newsletter. For more information call Gail at 497-7354 or Judi at 986-7705.