Search-Finders
of California, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer search and support organization
comprised of adult adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents and others
searching for relatives or lost loved ones. Our purpose is to assist in
searches and/or reunions and provide continuous, ongoing support. A safe
environment is available in which to share the wide range of emotions involved
in the search and reunion. The opportunity is offered for anyone involved
to share his or her experiences with other in the group.
The staff, some of whom
are nationally certified by Independent
Search Consultants (ISC), volunteer their time and offer over 75 years
of combined experience. They frequently attend workshops, seminars, and
local and national conferences to keep current on issues, new techniques,
and to network and establish contacts.
The meetings consist
of two sessions. The first session is for potential new members to become
acquainted with SearchFinders and its staff. In the first session we also
report news events concerning adoptees right, relevant court cases and
legislation, conferences and the sealed record controversy. The first session
is also the time for newly reunited people to tell their stories. The second
session splits attendees into either a search workshop or a support group.
The second session is for members only. Each new member is given a basic
new member packet and those who are searching are assigned to a primary
search consultant.
Search-Finders is a member
of the American Adoption
Congress (AAC) and works in cooperation with other groups having similar
goals and objectives. It is felt that the withholding of an adult adoptees
original birth certificate and other records is unjust and discriminatory.
The maintenance of secrecy beyond an adoptee's coming of age does harm
to the adult adoptee, the adoptive parents, the birth parents, and indeed
society itself. Search-Finders strongly advocates the opening of sealed
adoption records.
Affiliated With:
Search-Finders provides its
members with:
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Individual search counseling
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Regular Monthly Meetings
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International Soundex Reunion
Registry
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Current information on state laws
and adoption issues
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Support group for adoptees, birth
parents and adoptive parents
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