The Cradle

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The Cradle

The Cradle is an adoption agency and nonprofit provider of adoption services, counseling, and educational support. Call 800-CRADLE4 (800-272-3534).

The Cradle is a nonprofit, licensed child welfare agency providing adoption services, counseling and educational support. Since opening in 1923, The Cradle has facilitated over 16,000 domestic and international adoptions and has been at the forefront of open adoption, African American infant adoption and LGBTQ+ placements. Our team of social workers, counselors, and education and outreach staff of

fer ethical, inclusive and lifelong support to tens of thousands of people touched by adoption, including birth parents, adopted persons, and adoptive parents. Services include options counseling for women facing unplanned pregnancies, placement services, pre- and post-adoption education, an adoption-competent clinical therapy program, post-adoption services to provide information about and/or connect individuals with birth relatives, as well as training for prospective adoptive parents and professionals through Adoption Learning Partners (ALP). The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the country with an on-site nursery, a safe, neutral place for infants to stay while their parents take the time they need to decide if adoption will be the plan for this child. Learn more at Cradle.org or call 847-475-5800. Want to speak with a Cradle counselor about an unplanned pregnancy or to discuss possible adoption for your baby?

05/09/2026

"Over the years, we’ve built a life centered on love, laughter, adventure and perseverance. From taking a spontaneous hike into the Grand Canyon with two bottles of water and a lot of determination, to buying a fixer-upper home and transforming it into the warm, welcoming place we call home today, we’ve learned that the best memories often come from tackling life’s challenges together."

Learn more about Megan and Dan: https://bit.ly/3TIGAnT

04/09/2026

The Cradle was proud to be a part of The Lake County Community Foundation's RESPOND presentation, connecting with frontline professionals who support children and families across Lake County.

RESPOND brings together caseworkers, counselors, outreach specialists and other service providers to learn about local resources, understand eligibility and referral processes, and strengthen connections between organizations. Pam Tancredi, The Cradle’s Vice President of Family Support and Adoption, shared about how The Cradle supports individuals and families.

Thank you to The Lake County Community Foundation for bringing local organizations together and creating opportunities to strengthen the network of support for families in our community!

03/09/2026

Grandparents Day is next week, September 13! Celebrate the grandparents who fill your family with love by creating a handmade card with your little ones using our free templates: https://bit.ly/4y42DUT

You can also honor a grandparent and their role in your family with a gift to The Cradle, and we’ll let them know a donation was made in their honor: https://bit.ly/3N2HgNX

02/09/2026

The Cradle offers a wide range of web-based and in-person presentations for health care and social workers, adoption professionals, schools, corporations and other community partners. These expert-led sessions can be customized to your organization, and can cover a variety of topics, such as:
- Ethics in Infant Adoptions
- When an Adoption Happens in Your Hospital
- Emotional Regulation
- Adoption Competent Therapy

Request a presentation for your organization: https://bit.ly/3XrNWu2

01/09/2026

Are you a descendant of an adopted person or a descendant of a birth parent? Join us for Across Generations of Adoption, a three-session virtual psychoeducational support group for adults 21 and older. Open to all, even if The Cradle did not facilitate the adoption.

Led by clinically trained social worker Nina M. Friedman, the group will explore family dialogue around adoption, generational impact, information and connection, and how adoption history shapes your own life.

Join us at 7 p.m. Central on Wednesdays, Oct. 14-28. Register today: https://bit.ly/4xnZhfv

31/08/2026

The Cradle is proud to be the only organization in Illinois trained to facilitate this program that helps every child find their voice and share their story on their own terms. Through engaging activities and supportive dialogue, the program creates a safe space where youth build self-awareness, resilience, and communication skills to navigate questions about their families and experiences.

5th and 6th graders are invited to join us at our next session on Saturday, September 26. Space is limited, register today: https://bit.ly/3w5L24f

30/08/2026

Last chance! Family meetings can be an important tool to incorporate into your weekly routine. StageWise Parenting's featured webinar contains tips and tools you can use to provide a platform for safe communication, while ensuring every member has a vocal role in family decisions. Learn how family meetings help foster healthy communication: https://bit.ly/47UmSL5

29/08/2026

Family health history is often discussed in medical and other clinical settings as a practical tool for understanding disease risk. But for adopted children, these conversations can also intersect with complex feelings surrounding identity, belonging, grief and cultural understanding. Helping your child take ownership of their health and identity and establish healthy boundaries with others is a skill integral to adopted child mental health. Learn more in our newest blog: https://bit.ly/4x6ZJP5

28/08/2026

"We’re Mike and Adam from Chicago, and we’re excited to grow our family through adoption. Our home is a warm, creative space filled with laughter, curiosity and love — and we can’t wait to share that with a child. We hope this profile gives you a true sense of who we are, what we value and the kind of family we hope to build together."

Learn more about Adam and Mike: https://bit.ly/3M1KQLy

27/08/2026

We’re proud to spotlight Mary and Tom — adoptive parents and dedicated members of The Cradle Legacy Society. By including The Cradle in their will, they celebrate their family’s story and pave the way for others to follow. Thank you, Mary and Tom!

Learn how you can join them in leaving a lasting legacy: https://bit.ly/3YGimuL

Address

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+18474755800

Website

https://cradle.org/

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