ADOPTIONINSIGHTS

Joan Clark This month, the Adoption Community of New England (ACONE), will take its first step forward without Joan Clark, the organization's first and only executive director, who resigned from her post in July.

People within the Massachusetts adoption community said they can not imagine this organization without Clark, who was at the helm for 15 years and a volunteer for 12 years prior to that.

"I do not know anyone who knows more about adoption than Joan Clark,'' said Kathy Meade, a single parent and adoptive mother, who credits Clark with helping her find her son. "She knows all about DSS, domestic, and international adoptions and gives you an unbiased view on all three.''

Meade said her initial discussion with Clark led her to the social workers who brought her to her son. "Joan was instrumental in all of that,'' she added. Meade is now co-leader of the ACONE chapter of SPACE, Single Parents for Adoption of Children Everywhere.

Clark, a former school teacher who adopted two children from Colombia and El Salvador in the early 1980s, said it was time to move on to a less structured phase of life. She plans to continue conducting adoption workshops. Also, she hopes to finally have the time to venture into new territory and write a book.

"I have some things I really want to do,'' said Clark. "I have friends who are already retired, doing other things. The biggest thing I've been trying to do is write a book and there aren't enough hours to write a book and run this organization. It's a children's book about adoption.''

Etta Lappen Davis, president of the ACONE board of directors, said the organization had narrowed its search for Clark's replacement to three candidates. The goal was to have offered the job to one by the end of last month.

Adoptive families and professionals said Clark will be sorely missed, as they recalled her calm and professional demeanor combined with a passion for adoptive families. That persona essentially became ACONE's personality.

"Joan Clark's service and commitment to those of us who are considering adoption have been special gifts,'' said Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "Personally, as adoptive parents of two young children, her guidance and support has meant a great deal to my wife Tammy and me.''

Other Massachusetts families and adoption professionals credit Clark with helping to guide ACONE from a small collection of families in the 1980s, that focused primarily on adoptive parents, to today's highly professional organization that focuses on the adoption triad. Unlike many other adoption groups, ACONE provides services for all involved in adoption, known as the triad, which includes adoptive families, adoptees, and birth families.

"Joan's contribution is pretty significant in that she's run an organization that respects all members of the adoption world,'' said Martha Henry, acting director at the Center for Adoption Research at University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. "Many adoption groups focus on the parents or the children. [ACONE] is an organization that understands the issues of all and that's unique.''

Massachusetts families said that one of Clark's key contributions was her steady and gentle guidance to people who, because they were in some phase of an adoption process, were often in crisis.

Craig Van Batenburg is a board member of the adoption organization and a parent of two adopted sons. He recalled he and his wife turned to Clark for counsel when they were trying to sort through the many adoption choices.

"Joan was there with her soft voice and understanding soul as we made some tough decisions,'' Van Batenburg said. "She was never too busy or judgmental. What a gift to everyone that goes through this very personal part of life.''

Others give Clark high marks for creating such a professional atmosphere in the adoption world. The group provides an annual conference, a vast library of adoption resources that can be accessed online, and dozens of workshops and training sessions throughout the year for adoptive and birth families.

"Joan has been a cornerstone of adoption in this region,'' said Vicki Peterson, executive director of external affairs at Wide Horizons for Children in Waltham. "She has done just a fantastic job in raising awareness and making that organization more professional.''

Others said what most impressed them about Clark was her resourcefulness. Ilze Keegan, executive director of the Florence Crittenton League of Lowell, said she found Clark to be a resource on a wide-range of topics.

"I called her lots and lots and lots of times,'' Keegan said. "She was always willing to help. She'd look up stuff for you and call you back.''

For her part, Clark said she couldn't select one accomplishment for which she feels most proud, but said she is very happy with the increased openness surrounding adoption today.

"My kids are 24 and 25,'' she said. "At the time we adopted, people didn't talk about adoption like they do now. I don't think kids get as teased as much about it, but they still do get asked about it,'' Clark added. "It's not all fine, but it is better. I would hope our society is moving towards more acceptance.''

Jeffrey LaCure, a Hudson-based author, clinical social worker, and frequent speaker at ACONE conferences, described Clark as "easy going, very organized and very detail oriented.''

"She has been the face of that organization for so long, so committed and such a great lady,'' LaCure added. "It will be hard without her.''

Clark said she understands that she will be missed. "I agonized over this, very definitely,'' she said. "Summer was a good time to do it. Everything starts up in the fall. It was either now or wait another year."

"Someone asked me what my title will be going forward and I said, adoption advocate,'' Clarke added.

Rosemary Cafasso is an award-winning freelance writer from Massachusetts, who writes frequently on adoption-related issues.