 How we
Began
From A Small Enthusiastic Beginning.....
 East Meets West took sail in 2002, when the need for post adoption
support was recognised by the "Australians Aiding Children
Adoption Agency" here in South Australia, due to increasing
contact by older intercountry adoptees. Many of their queries related
to interest in their birth country, a need to understand why they were
adopted, and the processes that take place in their country of origin
to have eventuated in their adoption occurring. Additionally, there
were adoptees wishing to attempt contact with their birth families.
Some agencies overseas were referring adoptees back to AACAA, for
support and guidance through this process.
Numerous adult adoptees expressed an interest in meeting others who
were also from an intercountry adoption background like themselves.
AACAA, with the help of Casey, an enthusiastic and capable final
year Social Work student, formed group of adult intercountry adoptees,
and after several focus meetings, a vision for a mentoring programme
was flagged and well received.
 Thus the beginning of a model for providing support services to
older intercountry adoptees was created. The selection of a mentor
group took place. These were young people aged 18+. Many of the adult
adoptees recognised how isolated and at times misunderstood they had
felt in their teenage years. A number of them had experienced minimal
contact with other intercountry adoptees during those adolescent
years, when peer support and acceptance is so important, and the
emerging individual is trying to make sense of the world and their
place within it.
Initial training of the 10 mentors was provided whilst they helped
organise and participate in a successful weekend camp for 10 -25 year
olds.
 For sustainability, East Meets West required ongoing fundraising
and Casey was successful in obtaining a three year initiative grant
through "The Foundation for Young Australians", beginning in
November 2002.
2003 was the beginning of another student placement, and Kat's work
continued to strengthen the programme. First a Steering Committee, and
eventually a Board of Management was established and later that year
East Meets West was Incorporated, thus placing it well on its path to
being an independent organisation for post adoption services for
intercountry adoptees. A part-time Coordinator's position was created
and the programme continued to gain momentum throughout 2004.
Changes during 2006
 2006 has seen some significant changes for East Meets
West. The closure of AACAA in March 2005, on whose premises we were
previously located and who additionally offered administration and
professional support, led to the EMW Board negotiating interim funding and a leasing agreement through the Department of Families and
Communities, while the same Dept conducted a formal Review of Post
Adoption Services in South Australia. As a result, a tender was
created to provide a Post Adoption Resource Centre.
Relationships Australia is now undertaking this role to
implement this Post Adoption Service.
East Meets West will continue to provide monthly activities for
young people and facilitate social get togethers for 18 years and
over. The Department has recently awarded continual funding until
March 2007 for this purpose.
The service is currently being staffed by an Administration
Assistant and a Youth Worker in a casual capacity. The East Meets West
initiative is essentially still driven by the involvement of young
people, as representatives on the Board of Management, as members of
the mentor group, and by way of actively involving themselves in
publicity about the Organisation and in being a voice for intercountry
adoption in the community. (link to Management)
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