http://aha.mn is an exciting new program to promote connections among adopted individuals of all ages, ethnicities and adoption types while maximizing their lifelong welfare and self-fulfillment
AHA believes…
…being adopted has lifelong consequences for those who were adopted at any age
…adoptees benefit from connecting with other adoptees in a variety of ways
…adoptees are the experts on adoption
…non-adoptees benefit from the knowledge and life wisdom of adopted individuals.
Congratulations on making a great idea come to life.
An innovative program serving a diverse community of adopted individuals
Minnesota is nationally recognized for its long and rich history in adoption. Adoptees Have Answers (AHA) builds on this tradition of breaking ground and achieving high standards. Rooted in current research and led by an all-adoptee staff and Advisory Group, AHA is a first of its kind in the country—a live and virtual community designed by adoptees to be a safe environment for seeking and sharing answers and connecting with other adoptees.
From the MARN Executive Director:
As Minnesota Adoption Resource Network (MARN) celebrates its 30th birthday, it proudly debuts Adoptees Have Answers, a unique program funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services that focuses on the needs of adopted people.
AHA supports the life experience that is often mythologized, pathologized or romanticized but rarely understood in, that of the adopted person.
Mary Martin Mason, Minnesota Adoption Resource Network
From the Program Manager:
We at Adoptees Have Answers, and many others who imagined and inspired its vision, are pleased to welcome you to a new Minnesota adoptee community space.
Whether you’re joining us as a newsletter contributor, webinar participant, blogger, support group member, event attendee, service user or provider, your ideas and stories will ‘stick to the wall.’
Be sure to keep checking back at this website — http://aha.mn — as we continually add networking tools and broadcast new information that you provide. Because you, all 135,000 estimated adoptees currently living in Minnesota, are the experts.
Kate Ingalls-Maloney, Project Manager
AHA Mission and Beliefs
AHA Mission:
To promote connections among adopted individuals of all ages, ethnicities and adoption types while maximizing their lifelong welfare and self-fulfillment
AHA believes…
…being adopted has lifelong consequences for those who were adopted at any age
…adoptees benefit from connecting with other adoptees in a variety of ways
…adoptees are the experts on adoption
…non-adoptees benefit from the knowledge and life wisdom of adopted individuals
What AHA is not:
An adoption agency or other child placing organization
A social work organization
A mental health services provider
AHA Program Components
What AHA provides:
A safe, welcoming adoptee-to-adoptee environment
All-adoptee staff and executive leadership
All-adoptee Advisory Group
Adoptee-facilitated support groups in several Minnesota locations
Even adoptee service vendors when possible
Web-based adoptee community
Individual profile pages
Discussion boards
Blogs
Education from an adoptee perspective
12-part interactive series
CDs
Videotapes
Variety of live events honoring adopted individuals and groups
Opportunities to contribute ideas and artwork
Monthly eNewsletter
Website – http://aha.mn
Info phone line, always covered by adoptee with First Responder training
Local: 612-746-5135
Tollfree: 877-966-2727
Info email account, always maintained by an adoptee
