Cherish is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving adoptive families and adults who are considering adopting. Cherish is run by volunteers. Our mission is help provide support and education to adoptive families and to persons seeking to adopt.

Some of the services that Cherish provides are:

• Gathering and dispensing information for adults who have adopted or are considering adopting.
• Presenting speakers who have expertise in the various areas of adoption.
• Presenting individuals within the adoption triad who wish to share their experiences and perspectives.
• Serving as a forum for members to socialize and share their own information and experiences through functions such as meetings and group picnics.

Please consider becoming a member. An annual membership fee of $25, $50, $75, or $100 helps to offset group costs. Click here for a printable Dues Form. Thanks for your support.

Please Note: We now meet in The WHOLE FOODS LIFESTYLE CENTER (Entrance on San Remo Avenue) 6701 Red Road, Coral Gables Free parking available in the garage on San Remo Avenue We now meet mostly on the third Thursday of the month at 7:15pm

TIPS ON ADOPTING:

• When first starting the process, do a lot of research. The Internet can be overwhelming but it can also be a tool to check someone's background.
• Put more emphasis on 'word of mouth' referrals from happy parents who have adopted.
• Ask clergymen (priest, rabbi, etc) to refer an agency - they often hear of good sources.
• Get the names and phone numbers of the families of the last 5 children the agency has adopted - talk to those families and see what the process was like for them. Go and meet the children and decide for yourself.
• Find out if the agency has families where they adopted more than 1 child over the years. This is a good sign that the first adoption was successful and the family went back to get another child.
• Check online with state and federal sources to see if the agency has had any existing claims filed against them.
• Payment - An agency requesting cash up front should be closely scrutizined. Instead, establish milestones and break the payment down i.e. first is a down payment; then pay a portion once the home study has been submitted; then pay a portion when you see a picture or video of the child; then pay a portion when the court date has been established, etc. Never bring a large amount of cash with you to a foreign country as payment.
• Find an adoption support group and speak with other parents. Cherish Adoptive Families of Miami serves the south Florida area. Parents go there for educational meetings and to exchange information.

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