What is Pact?

Pact's name was chosen because of its meaning: a "pact" is a solemn agreement; to be of one mind; a covenant. At Pact, we believe that in making an adoption plan, birth parents and adoptive parents enter into an agreement to recognize and protect the best interests of the child. Essential to that agreement is a lifelong commitment to recognize, respect and address the dual heritages - both personal and cultural - that are the child's birth right. Our goal is for every child to feel wanted, honored and loved, a cherished member of a strong family with proud connection to his or her rich heritages.

A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization begun by two adoptive parents in 1991, Pact has developed a national reputation for excellence in serving all members of the adoption triad. Each year, Pact offers educational events attended by more than 1500 individuals, provides - free of charge - over 1000 crisis consultations to birth parents, and consults with hundreds of potential adoptive parents. Top priority is given to programs especially designed to support and inform adopted children and adopted adults of color. As Pact's national prominence grows, our ability to meet the needs of all members of the triad increases.

Throughout the seven years since its inception, Pact's founders and small staff have dedicated themselves to the mission of providing the highest quality adoption-related services to children of color, their birth parents and their adoptive parents. Despite its limited budget, Pact has helped place over 450 children in permanent, loving families and has counseled thousands of adopted adults, birth parents, foster parents and adoptive parents. Pact also works with adoption professionals to facilitate adoptions and to initiate programs that better serve clients raising children of color. Importantly, Pact goes beyond traditional adoption services by offering extensive post-placement opportunities for all families raising children of color (same-race, transracial, international, transcultural, etc.), providing informative and essential education, connection and support.

What Does Pact's Internet Site Offer?

Pact's goal is to create and maintain the internet's most comprehensive site addressing issues for adopted children of color, offering informative articles on related topics as well as profiles of triad members and their families, links to other internet resources, and a book reference guide with a searchable database. The site provides reprints of past Pact Press issues, as well as opportunities to interact with other triad members and to ask questions of birth parents, adopted people, adoptive parents and adoption professionals.