Richard Pearlman is a former licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) as well as founder and former Executive Director of the Adoption Center of Illinois at Family Resource Center.

He was a member of the board of directors of the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS), and played a pivotal role in helping to draft the Illinois Adoption Reform Act, which ended the commercial practice of adoption in Illinois and championed birth parents’ rights.

Having participated (directly and indirectly) in more than 4,500 adoptions, both domestic and internationally, Richard has maintained contact with hundreds of adoptees and their families – as well as professionals in the field – and has amassed an extensive library of adoption stories and experiences that spans generations.

Now retired, Richard has undertaken this effort to share these poignant, uplifting and sometimes difficult stories to foster understanding, empathy and support with the adoption community and beyond.

As a not-for-profit entity, we rely on the generosity of people like you to fund our efforts. Donations go toward the curation and management of stories; ongoing website design and maintenance; social media and PR outreach; marketing platform fees; accounting and other administrative costs.

We are recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization by the IRS. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.