In the 1990’s, the early days of the current China adoption program, adoptive parents and those waiting to adopt joined together informally to offer each other support, to circulate information and to create a nurturing community.  These casual volunteer family support groups became known as Families with Children from China (FCC).  Unlike previous generations of international, transracial adoptees, the children of FCC have had the unprecedented benefit of growing up with access to an international community of adopted peers where their heritage and adoption is celebrated.

Today there are more than 100 chapters of FCC in nearly all 50 states (and abroad), with multiple chapters in some states like California.  Some are formally organized non-profit corporations, while others are more informal.  Chapters range in size from a few dozen member families to more than 2,000, and are staffed by volunteer parents and friends.  Chapter leaders communicate through a national email network and some collaborate on issues of common concern.  However, FCC does not have a national board of directors or executive staff that sets policy or speaks for all chapters.  Indeed, each FCC chapter has its own distinct voice, mission statement, logo, programming goals and philosophy.

Although “independently owned and operated,” FCC chapters generally share the following three goals:  (1) To support families who have adopted in China through post-adoption and Chinese cultural programs; (2) To encourage adoption from China and support waiting families; and (3) To advocate for and support children remaining in orphanages in China.  (See FCC National Website at www.fwcc.org.)