Menu
Testimonials
We can toot our own horn but think it’s better you hear from our clients and community who have experienced and witnessed our work for themselves.
Table of Contents
Welcome! If you’re not sure where to start or want to know a little bit more about what to expect, we hope the following experiences from our clients and community members will help you out.
You can browse testimonials by the services we offer, from our events to our courses to our consultations. We even have a section for general comments about us not specific to a service we offer.
As always, if you have any questions you can reach out to us anytime through our Contact page, and if after reading a bit you decide you would like to get started, click the button to the right to schedule your FREE 15 minute consultation.
General
"My experience with Adoption Mosaic has been life changing. The work they are doing is extremely valuable. They support all aspects of the adoption constellation with a professional and critical thinking approach."
"Astrid has opened my eyes to the adoption constellation and the experiences that come from Adoption. She has not only brought adoptees together at nearly every age from children to adulthood to help understand their stories she has surrounded herself with birth parents, adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents and extended family members to provide support to all of these groups."
"Connecting with Astrid and Adoption Mosaic has been such a life-changing experience for our family. We have learned so much about being white/white-passing adoptive parents of a child of color...and I only wish we'd known this much when we first got started. Adoption Mosaic is a great resource for any member of the adoption constellation, and I hope this level of education becomes standard in the adoption community."
"Astrid and Adoption Mosaic have been part of our family’s lives for over 20 years – starting even before we adopted our daughters. From youth groups and heritage travel prep to We the Experts panels, Astrid has created programs that have helped our family through many phases of life. Adoption Mosaic is a safe space to learn and share and grow. I’m very grateful to have it as a resource."
"Bringing everyone together helps us all understand the experience of adoption in each capacity. I know the different perspectives has helped prepare me to parent my son. I feel secure knowing I have Astrid as a resource and friend as my son grows and enters the many stages of life and development. The foundation Astrid has created a safe place to share in group or one-on-one sessions. I truly feel Astrid provides a place for everyone."
"Utilizing her own experience as a Transracial Adoptee and years of working within the world of adoption, Astrid Castro offers a safe space for those with this shared experience to discuss, process and heal from our story. Through a variety of activities and forums, Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Patents and the community at large are able to come together, listen and learn from each other in ways that are authentic and healthy. I highly recommend this organization for anyone who has had their own lives impacted by adoption, or for any others who would like to develop a deeper understanding of the adoption experience"
Previous
Next
We the Experts: Adoptee Speaker Series
"Adoption Mosaic is unlike any other adoptee organization I have known. Their focus is on panel events. Since they aren't limited by nationality and are open to all adoptees in all locations, they have been able to find panelists for everything under the sun. I believe in them so much that I help them do this with my network and my network's network.
Another thing I like about them is that it's adoptee-centric (and I would also add heart-centric). This means that nurture parents, nature parents, and adoptees who fit more than one part of the triad can attend. They only request that only adoptees ask questions. It's a great way for adoptees to share what the adoptee experience is like with their family/friends without fear of being triggered. In addition, no one is turned away if they can't pay. They have a scholarship fund (don't be scared by that word as each event is only $10 for adoptees) for those who don't have the funds to pay, and other attendees donate to it freely."
Another thing I like about them is that it's adoptee-centric (and I would also add heart-centric). This means that nurture parents, nature parents, and adoptees who fit more than one part of the triad can attend. They only request that only adoptees ask questions. It's a great way for adoptees to share what the adoptee experience is like with their family/friends without fear of being triggered. In addition, no one is turned away if they can't pay. They have a scholarship fund (don't be scared by that word as each event is only $10 for adoptees) for those who don't have the funds to pay, and other attendees donate to it freely."
Bo P.
Adoptee
"Adoption Mosaic is an excellent resource for anyone touched by adoption from any direction. The offerings are varied, thoughtful, provocative and powerful in the way they put adoptees first. We have attended virtual events (panels) and a multi-week parent course. We have only benefitted from the experience. We are relieved, as parents of young adult adoptees, to have found this resource. Our daughter is also very connected to support through Adoption Mosaic which is essential as she transitions to adulthood."
Sue Unkenholz
Adoptive parent
"Astrid Castro and Adoption Mosaic have created an incredible, powerful, dynamic and supportive community with their monthly series, ‘We The Experts.’ It is an invaluable way to connect, share and educate and be educated and to be part of a vibrant community full of insight, connection and resources. The consistent high quality and thoughtfulness of the presentations and dialogue, the diversity of participants and viewpoints are stellar.
The way that Astrid and Shelise Gieseke, Adoption Mosaic’s Assistant Director and Team, run ‘We The Experts’ creates an immensely safe space with healthy boundaries and a place to focus on the rich content while feeling that all the participants are being taken care of with ease.
Being a panelist in the series was a wonderful opportunity to share and be connected to other adoptees. The work of Adoption Mosaic in this program and others is a vital contribution to the Adoption Community. I highly recommend it to all Adopted People looking for community, inspiration, depth of knowledge, connection and a feeling of belonging. ‘We The Experts’ is a cherished monthly series, reinvented beautifully virtually during the pandemic and beyond.
The way that Astrid and Shelise Gieseke, Adoption Mosaic’s Assistant Director and Team, run ‘We The Experts’ creates an immensely safe space with healthy boundaries and a place to focus on the rich content while feeling that all the participants are being taken care of with ease.
Being a panelist in the series was a wonderful opportunity to share and be connected to other adoptees. The work of Adoption Mosaic in this program and others is a vital contribution to the Adoption Community. I highly recommend it to all Adopted People looking for community, inspiration, depth of knowledge, connection and a feeling of belonging. ‘We The Experts’ is a cherished monthly series, reinvented beautifully virtually during the pandemic and beyond.
Suzanne Bachner
Adoptee
"I'm a Late Discovery Adoptee. Coming to terms with my new normal was an emotionally charged path. Although I did seek out therapy seven months later, I only decided to look for other LDAs who understood what this experience was like, two years after the fact. I wish I had done it a lot sooner. Even more, I wish I had discovered Adoption Mosaic at the beginning of my journey. This is a stellar organization, headed by phenomenal people who care greatly, have expertise in this arena, and offer a safe place to seek out unique paths towards healing. Recently, I was a panelist on one of their Late Discovery Adoptee panels and I highly encourage any LDA, at whatever stage of their journey, to reach out to Adoption Mosaic. They will help guide you towards what you most need."
Carlyn Montes De Oca
Adoptee
Conscious Adoption Courses and Better Together
"Adoption Mosaic is a multi-faceted resource center, that provides training and support for anyone touched by adoption. On a personal level, our family has accessed a variety of workshops, support groups, events and one-on-one consultations. On a professional level, I have consulted with Astrid to ensure that the educational materials I develop are informed and inclusive of adoption."
Rachel Ginocchio
Adoptive parent
"You provide a caring experience to all people involved in the adoption process."
Peter Sternberg
Adoptive parent
"Adoption Mosaic is an excellent resource for anyone touched by adoption from any direction. The offerings are varied, thoughtful, provocative and powerful in the way they put adoptees first. We have attended virtual events (panels) and a multi-week parent course. We have only benefitted from the experience. We are relieved, as parents of young adult adoptees, to have found this resource. Our daughter is also very connected to support through Adoption Mosaic which is essential as she transitions to adulthood."
Sue Unkenholz
Adoptive parent
"Adoption Mosaic has been a huge support for us in navigating issues around transracial adoption and reunion with birth family. We have participated in workshops and I continue to join the Better Together Group (adult adoptees and adoptive parents). Being a parent is a journey and being an adoptive parent is a journey with some added considerations! Adoption Mosaic helps me be a more compassionate parent and I am so grateful to Astrid, Shelise and the rest of the Adoption Mosaic team for the work they do :)"
Karen Orth
Adoptive parent
Personal Consultations
"My story is probably one of the most complex Astrid may have had to deal with. I found out I was adopted after not knowing for 44 years. I needed someone with adoption experience to help with my case. Astrid was amazing all around with me and everyone that was involved.
I live out of state but wanted help with reuniting with my bio mom. I called Astrid and told her my story to see what kind of help she could offer. One thing I really liked about Astrid was that she was easy to talk to from the beginning and very compassionate. She immediately stepped in and was able to offer help to me and everyone involved with my story.
Thanks to Astrid‘s intervention, there was happiness brought on both sides more than I can ever imagine. Astrid went the extra mile to help everyone involved within my case. I can’t recommend her enough. Astrid also understands EVERYTHING involved with adoption which was crucial in my case.
If I could give her 100 stars for what she did, I would.
She really helped with communication which was amazing and that is what my story needed because of the level of complexity. If anyone needs any type of adoption intervention on any grounds involving all aspects of adoption, I would highly recommend her in a heartbeat."
I live out of state but wanted help with reuniting with my bio mom. I called Astrid and told her my story to see what kind of help she could offer. One thing I really liked about Astrid was that she was easy to talk to from the beginning and very compassionate. She immediately stepped in and was able to offer help to me and everyone involved with my story.
Thanks to Astrid‘s intervention, there was happiness brought on both sides more than I can ever imagine. Astrid went the extra mile to help everyone involved within my case. I can’t recommend her enough. Astrid also understands EVERYTHING involved with adoption which was crucial in my case.
If I could give her 100 stars for what she did, I would.
She really helped with communication which was amazing and that is what my story needed because of the level of complexity. If anyone needs any type of adoption intervention on any grounds involving all aspects of adoption, I would highly recommend her in a heartbeat."
Debbie Earl
Adoptee
Professional Consultations
"Adoption Mosaic is a solid rock, in the midst of a sea of information/misinformation. There is simultaneously not much out there and also so much out there - from movies, TV, social media, websites, etc - so it can be hard to determine which resources are reliable. When I want information, resources, and learning opportunities I can trust, I turn to Adoption Mosaic. I have depended on Adoption Mosaic both personally and professionally, and am grateful for their expertise, perspectives and lived-experiences.
Adoption Mosaic is a multi-faceted resource center, that provides training and support for anyone touched by adoption. On a personal level, our family has accessed a variety of workshops, support groups, events and one-on-one consultations. On a professional level, I have consulted with Astrid to ensure that the educational materials I develop are informed and inclusive of adoption."
Adoption Mosaic is a multi-faceted resource center, that provides training and support for anyone touched by adoption. On a personal level, our family has accessed a variety of workshops, support groups, events and one-on-one consultations. On a professional level, I have consulted with Astrid to ensure that the educational materials I develop are informed and inclusive of adoption."
Rachel Ginocchio
Adoptive parent