Welcome to Barker's Blog Corner

Are you interested in becoming a guest blogger for Barker's Blog corner? Your voice and story make a tremendous impact on all those who are part of the adoption constellation and support the work we are doing within the adoption community. Please share your story with us today!

If you are new to writing or need a place to start, we have provided some tips and information to help you through your writing process. Please review our submission guidelines here and email your draft to info [at] barkerfoundation.org today.

March 8, 2016

Covering College Expenses When you Adopt an Older Child from Foster Care

Before you know it, it will be time to begin thinking about a college education for your child (and how you will be paying for it!).  Many of you may already be thinking about and planning for this time.  Below is a list of resources for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia families interested in securin Read More

February 16, 2016

Joining in the Great Migration: Chinese New Year Family Celebration

The text came in saying: “At WoHop! Table for 10 is ready! Can’t wait to cu!” Read More

February 12, 2016

Remembering Anita Datar: Celebrating Her Commitment to Family

In late January 2016, the U.S. Read More

February 2, 2016

On My Own

When many people think of an orphanage, I think they often envision babies and toddlers. I used to be one of those people myself. On my many trips to China, however, I began meeting and falling in love with the older children who have grown up in institutions, many who never had any true chance of finding a permanent home. Read More

February 1, 2016

Barker Families Celebrated Hispanic Heritage

This past Sunday, after a long, post-blizzard week, 70 members of the Barker community -- including many toddlers and young children -- attended Barker's Hispanic Heritage Celebration, held at Los Tios Grill in Alexandria, Virginia. Read More

January 19, 2016

The Adoption Story: Peer Groups, Curiosity and Trigger Questions

I never really thought of my family being *that* different until our son entered elementary school. Read More

December 24, 2015

100 Children Placed: Huge Milestone for Project Wait No Longer!

The Barker Adoption Foundation’s Project Wait No Longer just celebrated a huge milestone when we placed our 100th child who was waiting in the foster care system, into an adoptive family.  We have grown so much Read More

December 4, 2015

Doctors Visit Partner Orphanages in China

In November, a group of 8 doctors and residents from Riley International Adoption Clinic and Indiana University School of Medicine traveled to China to spend some time at Barker’s partnership orphanages. Read More

December 1, 2015

"I'm Adopted, But I'm Not..."

As we culminate adoption month it gives us a great opportunity to reflect on various areas of adoption. One of the most vital voices of adoption comes from adopted persons. Read More

November 20, 2015

Project Wait No Longer on The Radio!

Tune in tonight - Friday November 20th at 7pm to the Marty and Katina show on Brite Radio to hear from Beverly Clarke, Director of Project Wait No Longer, as she speaks about the needs of children who are currently awaiting adoption from the US foster care system.  Read More

November 10, 2015

Barker Meets with "Closure" Documentary Filmmakers to Discuss New Adoption Education Project

Last night, Barker had the opportunity to spend the evening at an intimate gathering with the inspirational couple behind the movie “Closure,” a documentary about a transracial adoptee who finds her birth mother, and meets the rest of a family who didn't know she existed. The movie makers, Angela and Bryan Tucker, were in Washington, D.C., for a screening of the film at American University and to gather support for their new venture, The Adopted Life Episodes. Barker joined adoption professionals from around the DC area, including Adoptions Together, PACT, Children’s Home Society, the Lab School, the Commonwealth Academy, and National Children’s Research Center to meet and support the couple and each other in this important work. Read More

November 6, 2015

Letting Go: A National Adoption Month Special Post

Last month, I had the unique opportunity to attend a writing workshop at Kripalu, a wellness center in the Berkshires.  It was a blissful few days of yoga, meditation, and memoir writing.  I sat in a circle of other writers, each of us anxiously awaiting our Read More

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