Bellis

Founded in 1983, Bellis has 40 years of knowledge gained from experience working within the adoption community as a nonprofit with no political or religious affiliation or agenda. Bellis hears, validates, supports and connects people touched by adoption and foster care. Bellis leads national groundbreaking work offering grief support to mothers whose children are parented by others; we are experts in creating space to talk openly and honestly about it all and the pain of ambiguous loss. Together, we work to fight stigma and offer compassion, hope, and resilience. Bellis is independent of child-placing agencies, child welfare systems and courts. Our services include: - Peer-based, expert-led grief support for women who have lost their parental rights. Our Stronger Together Peer Support Model™ is built on the knowledge that empathy — sharing your story with someone who accepts you completely — is transformative. Women join online from across the country. Minnesota participants have access to free limited legal guidance via our partnership with Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Later this year, Bellis will add our fifth weekly group, this one specifically addressing the needs of Indigenous mothers. - Evening of Connection meetings for all who are touched by adoption and foster care. This wide spectrum of experiences brings a sense of commonality that is affirming and encouraging. - Presentations to professional and community-based organizations about our work. Our presentations include details about support and refer women to our services.