Welcome to the Nurturing Identity ARE 2025! The Adoption Council of Ontario (ACO) welcomes Black and Black multiracial prospective adoptive parents to this exciting in-person event. We have a lot in store for you to explore! Here is what you can expect from this event:

• Deepen Your Knowledge: This year, we’re excited to offer an educational presentation that has been organized just for you. The session titled Adoption, Identity & Healing in the Black Community is lead by social worker, therapist, speaker, transracial adoptee and adoptive parent, Judith Alexis Craig, RSW.
• Connect and Learn: As always, AREs are about connecting with adoption workers from the participating Children’s Aid Societies. You’ll have the opportunity to engage directly with adoption workers and gain deeper insights into the children and youth seeking permanency.
• Build Your Community: AREs are more than just events—they’re community builders. Whether you’re speaking with a Resource Village representative, a Children’s Aid Society worker, or another prospective adoptive parent, you’ll find plenty of chances to make meaningful connections.

On behalf of the ACO, we thank you for your interest in this Regional ARE!

This event is supported by the Adoption Council of Ontario (ACO), the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies, and Private Practitioners.

In-Person Event Overview

Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2025

Time: Registration beings 12:30 PM | Event from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Venue:  Nia Center for the Arts | 524 Oakwood Ave York, ON

Event Notices

There are currently no event notices. If required, important event notices will be posted here and emailed to registered attendees.

Event Agenda

We are looking forward to hosting you on October 18th! Please take a moment to review the important dates and event agenda listed below. 

Important Upcoming Dates

• ARE Online Platform Launch and Close Date: October 10th – October 31st, 2025
• In-Person Event Date: October 18th, 2025
• Registration Opens: 12:30 p.m.
• Event Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Event Agenda

Directions & Maps

This year, the Nurturing Identity ARE 2025 will be hosted in-person at Nia Center for the Arts in York, ON!

Address

Nia Center for the Arts | 524 Oakwood Ave, York, ON M6E 2X1

The centre is located in the heart of the Oakwood-Vaughan Village, steps from Little Jamaica, a historically Caribbean neighbourhood with a rich artistic history.

Main intersection: Vaughan Rd. and Oakwood Ave. Click here to view the location on Google Maps.

Main entrance is shown below. Please enter through these doors and an ACO staff member will be there to guide you to the event space.

Taking Transit?

Plan your TTC trip here. Plan your GO Transit trip here. 

Driving?

Parking is available on side streets and in front of the venue (please note that it can be limited). Alternatively, two options for Green P parking are available just a 5-minute walk from the venue. Option One: 1609 Eglinton Ave W  |  Option Two: 52 Holland Park Ave

Refreshments & Nearby Restaurants

At this Nurturing Identity ARE 2025, we will provide attendees with coffee, tea, water, light refreshments & appetizers as prepared by King Catering. If you are interested in purchasing food on your own before or after the event, there are many options nearby.

Click here to view some of the nearby food options.

Can’t Make the In-Person Event?

Attendees who cannot join us in-person on Saturday, October 18th, will still be able to access the following features listed below. Please note, the only opportunity to speak to participating adoption workers will be in-person on Saturday, October 18th. 

Access to the ARE Online Platform

All registered attendees of the Nurturing Identity ARE 2025 will have access to the ARE Online Platform for this event. 

To learn more about the ARE Online Platform and Expression of Interest form process and how to access them, please navigate to the ‘ARE Online Platform & EOI Process’ tab.

ARE Online Platform & Expression of Interest (EOI) Process

What is the ARE Online Platform?

The ARE Online Platform (accessed through your AdoptOntario account) is a time-limited feature where registered attendees can view the child/youth profiles, photos and videos (if available) and submit an EOI from. 

How long can I access it?

The ARE Online Platform will be available to all registered attendees from October 10th, 2025 – October 31st, 2025.

How do I access the ARE Online Platform?

To access the ARE Online Platform, you can follow the steps below. 

1. Click here to log in to the AdoptOntario Waiting Children Photolisting
2. Under ARE Events, click on the drop-down menu and click on the Nurturing Identity ARE 2025
3. Click the green search button below
4. Now you are viewing the ARE Online Platform for this event

What is an Expression Of Interest (EOI) form?

The EOI form allows families to express interest in a child, youth or sibling group and identify themselves as a potential match. For Regional AREs, once an EOI form is submitted, a copy is directly sent to the child, youth or sibling group’s adoption worker, your adoption worker/practitioner and you.

Is there a deadline for submitting an EOI form?

Registered attendees have from October 10th – October 31st, 2025 to submit their EOI forms. Although attendees can submit EOI forms before the in-person event, we encourage prospective adoptive parents to wait until the in-person event and one-on-one conversations have concluded. 

How do I submit an EOI form?

Before submitting an EOI form, please check that your AdoptOntario profile details are accurate and up to date, especially your worker/practitioner’s details, as a copy of any EOI form you submit will be automatically forwarded to the worker/practitioner linked to your AdoptOntario account. To submit an EOI form, please follow the steps below.

1. Click here to log in to the AdoptOntario Waiting Children Photolisting
2. Under ARE Events, click on the drop-down menu and click on the Nurturing Identity ARE 2025
3. Click the green search button below, which will take you to the ARE Online Platform for this event
4. Click on the applicable profile
5. At the bottom of the profile, click the link ‘I/We would like to express interest in this child.’
6. Complete the form that appears and finish by clicking submit
   1. If you have any specific questions about a child/youth on the ARE Online Platform, please submit your questions directly on the EOI form for that child/youth.

Education & Resources 

Presentations

Adoption, Identity & Healing in the Black Community: Presentation by Judith Alexis Craig, RSW | October 18th, 2025

Format: In-person

Join us in-person for a special presentation by Judith Alexis Craig, RSW, where she will be offering information, insight and guidance to attendees regarding the need for Black adoptive families, the importance of culture, tradition, identity and community support within families and celebrating Black children.

This is a valuable opportunity for prospective adoptive parents to learn from an expert, share experiences and ask questions. Don’t miss it!

Join Us at the Resource Village 

The Resource Village is a hub where attendees can make meaningful connections with adoption experts, diverse adoption-related organizations, and experienced adoptive parents. It’s a place to build valuable relationships and deepen your knowledge and understanding of adoption. On Saturday October 18th, in-person attendees can access the Resource Village! The Resource Village representatives will be available between 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM to speak to attendees.

Connect with one or all of the representatives below!

The AdoptOntario Program

The Centralized Adoption Intake Service (CAIS)

The Permanency & Adoption Competency Training Program (PACT)

Strengthen Hands

One Vision, One Voice

Interwoven Connections (formerly Adopt4Life)