By Brandi Smith

EUGENE, Ore. -- Every year, about 120,000 Americans decide to add to their family through adoption. The type of adoption can vary, but this weekend Adoption Connections of Oregon is hosting a one-day conference aiming to support all families who adopt.

The conference will include guest speakers, an adult adopted panel, an ACO information panel and the presentation of the Maan Family Scholarship. This year, the $500 award is going to Liane Lucas, a South Eugene High School Senior. She hasn't quite figured out where she's going to use it yet, though. "I'm in the process of applying to college," she says. "I'm applying to between 10 and 16 schools."

Liane was adopted from China when she was six months old. As she's grown up here in Lane County, she says she's been involved in various adoption workshops and playgroups. She says those experiences have helped shape who she is and, as a result, she wants to help other adopted children.

"Even though it's the 21st century, and adoption is out in the open, it's still difficult," Liane says, "especially for kids who do not look like their parents."

That's where ACO comes in. "Our goal is to support families and provide community education around adoption issues," says ACO president Elisa Crum, who has two adopted children. "[ACO] gives my kids a place to have a network of families and kids whom they know, so they don't feel alone. Our family doesn't feel like we're the only ones because we're in a network of people going through similar processes."

The conference is Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. It's being held at the Boy Scouts of America building at 2525 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. For more information, visit the Web site for Adoption Connections of Oregon.