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