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About Us
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Moving past βmerely a support group,β we aim to provide resources to NPEsβand their familiesβwhich encourages healing and peace.
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Our Mission
NPE Network supports individuals and families affected by unexpected DNA discoveriesβsuch as adoption, donor conception, or misattributed parentage. These life-altering revelations often come without warning and can create emotional upheaval, identity confusion, and a deep sense of loss.
Our mission is to provide compassionate, peer-based support that validates each personβs experience while offering guidance, education, and tools for healing.
Through our private communities, curated resources, and public advocacy, we aim to foster clarity, connection, and resilience. Whether you are the person directly impacted or a loved one navigating the ripple effects, NPE Network is here to walk alongside you.
We believe in empowering people to make sense of their stories and rebuild their sense of selfβwith honesty, dignity, and support.
Our Journey
In June 2017, after searching for emotional support tailored to those who had experienced an NPE (Not Parent Expected) discovery and finding no dedicated resources, our founder, Catherine St Clair, created a private Facebook group to fill the gap.
What began with just two people quickly grewβover 20 members joined in the first week, and by the groupβs first anniversary, it had surpassed 1,000 members. As of late today, we have grown to nearly 10,000 members worldwide!
As Catherine witnessed the widespread and deeply personal impact of NPE discoveries, she saw the urgent need for more structured, ongoing support.
In 2018, she launched NPE Friends Fellowship to meet that needβa foundational step that evolved into what is now NPE Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and compassionate community for those navigating the emotional aftermath of unexpected DNA revelations.
Our Vision
Awareness
DNA surprises affect more people than most realize! We raise awareness about what it means to discover unexpected parentage.
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Itβs estimated that 5β10% of people who take at-home DNA tests discover a surprising parental result. These discoveries donβt just impact one individualβthey often ripple outward to affect dozens of family members, including parents, siblings, spouses, and children.
Through interviews, public speaking, educational content, and social media, NPE Network is raising awareness about the emotional and relational complexities of DNA discoveriesβand helping the public better understand what it means to be an NPE.
Community
At its heart, NPE Network is a space for connection, healing, and shared understandingβso no one has to face this life-changing discovery alone.
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At its heart, NPE Network is a place for connection, healing, and hope.
We provide:
A private, moderated Facebook support group for NPEs
Specialized online groups for biological parents, spouses, children, and extended family
In-person Meet & Greets, retreats, and community events
These shared spaces offer emotional safety and understandingβso no one has to go through this experience alone.
Through interviews, public speaking, educational content, and social media, NPE Network is raising awareness about the emotional and relational complexities of DNA discoveriesβand helping the public better understand what it means to be an NPE.
Education
We believe NPEs and their families deserve more than just supportβthey deserve resources that lead to real healing and peace.
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Our educational efforts include:
Hosting conferences and events
Sharing stories and helpful resources
Partnering with researchers to study the emotional and mental health effects of NPE discoveries
Working to equip mental health professionals with trauma-informed insight into the NPE experience
From online to in-person, community starts here.
Weβll walk you through securely joining our private Facebook Group.
to the best club you never intended to join!
