FULL CIRCLE Adoption-Triad Support Group of North Jersey
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide emotional support to all adult members of the post-adoption triad in a caring environment, as well as to provide public awareness and education of adoption-related issues. We feel that adoption is a journey that evolves as we travel through our lives and we discover the many facets of who we are. Our hope is to support each other in this journey.
FULL CIRCLE-NJ is an adoption-triad based support group that offers a friendly and confidential environment within the adoption community where members can share their feelings and experiences with others who “get it”. It is a place where an adult adoptee considering searching for their birth parents or siblings can come for support and, if needed, search advice. FULL CIRCLE-NJ offers those already in reunion a place to share the emotions that come along with it. Our meetings are a place where a birth parent who would like to talk with others who have had similar experiences can feel comfortable. We also offer adoptive parents an opportunity to understand more about the feelings their adopted children may be having, as well as find ways to provide emotional support for their children.
Originally started over 30 years ago, the group has evolved over the past few years, changing it's name and meeting location several times. Formerly known as "Post-Adoption Support Group of North Jersey", and "Adoption Crossroads of New Jersey", we have chosen a new (and hopefully permanent!!!) name for the group, which signifies the journey taken in the lives of almost everyone touched by adoption. We have recently made arrangements to hold our meetings in the meeting room at Panera Bread on Rte. 4 West(in the KOHL'S shopping center), in Paramus, NJ.
Our meetings are a place where all members of the triad can speak openly and honestly with others who may be experiencing the same feelings. Some members of the group may not yet have shared with their family members the fact that they had placed a child for adoption, while others may not have shared that they are considering searching for their birth family. This group is a "safe" place to explore those thoughts and feelings, knowing all discussions are confidential.We also have an ever growing "lending library” of adoption-related books that members are encouraged to borrow. For those in need of additional support or encouragement in between meetings, there are always members willing to “jump in” and assist.
Legislation News
NJ Bill S611, which would allow adoptees conditional access to their original birth certificates, passed through the NJ Senate by a margin of 31-7 on March 3, 2008. Now the measure must pass through the Assembly as NJ A752. We will keep you posted on when the bill will be debated on the Assembly floor. We need to make our voices heard in Trenton! Contact your Assemblyperson.
Meeting Information
Important Information Regarding New Meeting Dates and New Location!!!
Please read the following paragraph to learn about the exciting changes planned for our group:
Meetings are held the 4th Thursday evening of each month (no meetings in July and August) from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm in the meeting room at Panera Bread on Rte. 4 West (in the KOHL's shopping center) in Paramus, New Jersey. All who attend are welcome to purchase refreshments prior to the meeting. Please review the meeting dates below, and mark your calendar.
We suggest you check this website regularly, as we will post notices such as upcoming guest speakers, meeting cancellations due to inclement weather, etc. Reminder e-mails are sent out before each meeting, and you may request to be added to the meeting reminder list by contacting Cindi.
For more information, contact Cindi Addesso at cindilouwho@mindspring.com, or you may reach Sharon Mashel at sswanzer@aol.com
Meeting Schedule For 2007 - 2008
Sept. 10, 2007
Oct. 15, 2007 ***Due to the holiday, the 10/8 meeting has been changed to 10/15
Nov. 12, 2007
Dec. 10, 2007 HOLIDAY MEETING.. Please bring a finger food to share
Jan. 14, 2008
The following meetings are on the 4th Thursday at the new location:
Feb. 28, 2008
Mar. 27, 2008
Apr. 24, 2008
May 22, 2008
Jun. 26, 2008
July - No Meeting
August - No Meeting
Sept. 25, 2008
Oct. 23, 2008
Nov. 20, 2008 *** this is the 3rd Thursday due to Thanksgiving
Dec. 18, 2008 *** this is the 3rd Thursday due to Christmas
Our Logo
The Triangle in our Logo represents each member of the Adoption Triad: Adoptee, Birth Parents, and Adoptive Parents.
The Heart represents the shared bond that links them all.
The Puzzle Piece represents the "Missing Part of the Puzzle" that exists in many adoptions.
Sharon Mashel joins Cindi Addesso as group co-facilitator!
FULL CIRCLE is pleased to announce that Sharon Mashel has joined Cindi Addesso as a co-facilitator of the group. Both of the group's leaders are reunited adoptees who want all birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees to feel welcome here.
Our Guestbook
Feel free to sign our guestbook to let us know you have visited our website. Whatever information you submit will be viewable by all who visit the guestbook. You may sign the guestbook with just a first name or your initials, and you may simply enter the county you live in as your location if you wish to remain anonymous.
We ask all of you that visit our guestbook to please not contact others who have provided their e-mail address, as we consider that an invasion of privacy.