Adoption Network Cleveland holds a series of co-hosted monthly support groups for parents who have adopted children outside of their own race, aiming to provide an intentionally structured and supportive space where parents can hear from leaders with lived expertise and come together to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in raising transracially adopted persons.

This month ANC is excited to welcome Gabriel Glissmeyer to co-facilitate. Gabriel (he/him) is a queer and transgender transracial adoptee. He was born in Cleveland, in foster care in Columbus, and eventually adopted and raised in Utah. Gabriel has worked in LGBTQ+ health for over 15 years and studied the impact of adoption and birth record access on public health and prevention measures during graduate school. Based on his own experience, Gabriel created and is the facilitator of a peer support group for LGBTQ+ adult adoptees with participants from several countries. In his free time, Gabriel enjoys reading, going on walks, and belting showtunes.

The support groups will be conducted virtually via Zoom, allowing participants from different geographical locations to connect and engage in meaningful discussions. The sessions will take place from noon-1 pm EST.

We aim to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where parents can build connections, find support, and learn from one another. By offering these co-hosted monthly support groups, Adoption Network Cleveland hopes to empower parents to navigate the unique challenges and joys of transracial adoption while promoting understanding and acceptance within their families and communities.

About your facilitators:

Janelle Poskocil
Janelle brings over 20 years of experience in education and social services. She loves to support families by creating supportive communities that empower and encourage. She is mom to four transracially adopted children who are now young adults. Her journey over the past twenty-two years has taught her that adoption is complex. As Program Coordinator for Families and Youth at Adoption Network Cleveland, Janelle is responsible for implementing responsive support and education opportunities for parents, caregivers, and youth in adoptive, foster and kinship families.