A Rich History of Tradition and Growth

Ruth and Richard Barker, themselves adoptive parents, founded the agency in 1945 that bears their name in response to a request from the U.S. Navy Department to address the needs of pregnant WAVES in post-World War II Washington, DC.

While preserving our roots, Barker has evolved from a traditional infant-placing adoption agency into a comprehensive adoption center offering pregnancy services, domestic adoption placements, international adoption services, counseling and education, and a lifelong commitment to the families we serve.

In 1998 another established DC agency, the American Adoption Agency, became part of The Barker Foundation. Founded in 1980, American has placed over 1,500 children, primarily from overseas. The combination of Barker and American brought together two well-respected, experienced agencies with compatible missions, thereby strengthening our ability to serve the adoption community. Together Barker and American have placed over 6,000 children born in this country and abroad into the welcoming arms of adoptive parents, and provided counseling and related support services to more than 25,000 women considering adoption.

The day-to-day challenge of balancing Barker's core values with the never-ending need to change and grow falls primarily to the Barker staff.

The Cooperative Spirit

The Barker structure was formalized in 1951 when it was incorporated as the nation's first cooperative adoption agency. A 19-member Board of Trustees comprised of adoptive parents, birth parents, adoptees, and community leaders oversees the agency. Much of Barker's resiliency within the changing world of adoption comes from its unique emphasis on client involvement and participation.

The Barker Foundation is a private, not-for-profit agency licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.