African American Child Welfare Services

EVOLVE is dedicated to uniting children with loving families. We do this through adoption, foster care, and pregnancy / family support.

ATTENTION: We are pleased to announce that on September 1, 2014, Crossroads Adoption Services in Edina and HOPE Adoption & Family Services in Stillwater merged to become EVOLVE Adoption & Family Services. Additionally, EVOLVE will continue the work of the African American Adoption & Permanency Planning Agency in Saint Paul.

This merger joined two strong, growing private adoption agencies here in the Twin Cities to reach more families, offer expanded programming, and provide additional training and support to those we serve.

As EVOLVE, we will continue to server families throughout all of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Along with being licensed in both states domestically, we will continue our international programs as a Hague-accredited agency.

Any donations made through this page will be directed towards EVOLVE Adoption & Family Services. We appreciated your continued support and for helping us on our mission to ensure ALL children grow up in a permanent, loving family!

For more information on EVOLVE, please visit www.EvolveServices.org.

About the former African American Adoption and Permanency Planning Agency (AAAPPA)

AAAPPA’s desire was to reduce the disproportionate number of African American children in out-of-home placement by placing them in appropriate, safe and supportive homes that will nurture their total growth. They also promoted the achievement of permanency and stability within a child’s own family system where possible. African American Adoption and Permanency Planning Agency (AAAPPA) began as a joint project of Ramsey and Hennepin Counties in 1989, and in 1998 with the added partnership with the DHS, was spun off into the first independent, nonprofit agency in the state focused on moving children of color from foster care to permanency.

About the former Crossroads Adoption Services

Crossroads Adoption Services began in 1976, licensed as a child-placing agency by the State of Minnesota under the name of OURS Children’s Services.  Crossroads’ primary focus was working with children and families who weren’t being served by other agencies due to varying restrictions. Crossroads worked hard to unite children born both domestically, as well as internationally, from countries all over the world, such as China, Colombia, India, Nepal, The Phillipines, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, and others.

In all, Crossroads helped over 4,500 children unite with permanent, loving families. Of those children, 25% were from the United States, while 75% were from around the world.

About the former HOPE Adoption & Family Services

HOPE Adoption & Family Services started in 1978 after a group of friends attempting to adopt internationally realized that agencies during that time were either not doing international adoptions or that those agencies were only open to certain types of families. These friends decided their organization would be founded on inclusivity–focusing on the many children who waited, but also on the individualism of families ready to open their hearts.

After 37 years of work, HOPE helped over 2,000 children find families through adoption both domestically and internationally from 52 countries. HOPE also served 500 individuals and families experiencing an unplanned pregnancy through a Pregnancy Services program and assisted families interested in the Foster Care program.