Engage with communities through targeted outreach programs that foster connection and participation.

Utilize cutting-edge research techniques to derive insights that drive informed decisions.

Leverage tools and resources to explore personal and community histories, enriching individual narratives.

Employ state-of-the-art genetic testing and analysis for a deeper understanding of ancestral ties.

Commit to ethical standards in all operations, ensuring trust and reliability in our services.

Craft compelling narratives that honor individual stories and strengthen community identities.

Engage with diverse communities to promote awareness and understanding of genetic heritage. Our outreach programs aim to empower individuals with knowledge about their identities.

Stay updated with cutting-edge research in genetics that informs our practices and enhances our offerings. We prioritize integrity and accuracy in all our findings.

Discover your genetic background with our tailored testing options. Each service is designed to provide meaningful insights into your ancestry.

Receive support from experienced counselors who guide you through genetic findings and implications. We ensure that your choices are informed and respectful.

Participate in workshops that help map your unique genetic identity. These sessions foster connection and understanding among participants.

Our commitment to data integrity guarantees the confidentiality and security of your genetic information. Trust is paramount in our practices.

We are a public voice — working through media and community channels to reshape how society understands unexpected DNA discoveries. Our mission is to break cycles of secrecy and shame, help people distinguish between secrecy and privacy, and encourage families to welcome newly-discovered relatives with openness and kindness. That person reaching out is not a threat — they are a vulnerable human being with an Inner Child simply seeking to understand their Origin Story and ancestral heritage. A core part of our mission is public education. We want to encourage open dialogue so that people think carefully about how they communicate within their family units — and begin to dismantle the mindset that makes deception of someone's Origin Story seem acceptable or inevitable. We want to shine a light on the way humanity has long swept these secrets under the rug, and we want to change that. We want to discourage outsiders from critically judging those whose actions led to an unplanned child — and instead help society enter the anticipation of that child's arrival with a new understanding: that we will not lie, that we will not alter or erase their Origin Story, and that every child deserves the truth of where they come from. Outreach also means waving our flag for the lost souls in shock — those who have just made a life-altering discovery and don't yet have the words to describe what they feel. We are the port in the storm. A haven where you can find peace, safety, and a community that will help you find your voice.

Our first and most vital resource is our Facebook community — over 15,000 members spanning 40+ countries across six continents, and growing every day. All of our community groups are designated as Private — they are not visible to the public and can only be entered through an Admin after careful screening. Your way in is through our NPE Gateway group, which you can find by searching Facebook groups or by visiting: www.Facebook.com/groups/NPEGateway We have dedicated, safe spaces for every person touched by an NPE (Not Parent Expected) discovery: • NPEs — a private space to share experiences and seek counsel from others who have walked this path • Mothers of NPEs — biological, adoptive, step, foster, and anyone in a maternal role • Fathers of NPEs — biological, birth certificate, step, foster, and anyone in a paternal role • NPE Partners — spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, and fiancés • Family Members who encountered an NPE — new siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and beyond We also curate trusted resources including trauma-informed mental health professionals and recommended reading for every stage of this journey. You don't have to figure this out alone.

Who you are — and how you choose to be seen. An unexpected DNA discovery doesn't just raise questions about your biology. It raises questions about you — who you are, how you got here, and how you want to show up in the lives of people who are strangers, yet somehow family. At the ORIGIN Center, we offer step-by-step guidance for that first contact — helping you craft a forward-facing identity that is honest, composed, and yours. We help you find the balance between a heart that may be too open and a mind that may be too guarded. Our tools are designed to help you: • Navigate that first message or conversation with confidence • Set the pace — you control how fast and how deep this goes • Protect yourself emotionally without closing the door • Build a relationship on your own terms

Our organization saw a need and is fulfilling it. Many newly-discovered NPEs have not yet been able to identify their parent of origin. That's where our NPE Angels come in — trained volunteers who will work alongside you, studying your DNA matches and guiding you step by step toward finding the person you are searching for. This is a completely free service to all NPEs. Some DNA genealogical services charge thousands of dollars in retainer fees for this same work. We believe that every NPE deserves access to the tools and support needed to identify their people of origin — and that no one should be priced out of knowing where they come from.

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of honesty, confidentiality, and ethical practice. Every person who comes to us deserves to be treated with dignity and care — always. We also believe there is a meaningful difference between secrecy and privacy. Our Origin Stories deserve privacy. We share what we choose to share in order to bring awareness — not to entertain. We hold our heads up, unashamed of where we come from, and we refuse to allow society to pass judgment on us or on the circumstances of how we were created.

Your story matters — and it deserves to be heard. We invite members of our community to share a summary of their NPE discovery: what happened, how it changed you, and what it has meant to your life. These are the stories that help others feel less alone, and help the world understand what it truly means to experience an unexpected DNA discovery. We publish community stories on our Blog. Submissions should be a brief summary — no more than 300–500 words (a few focused paragraphs). The goal is to capture the heart of your journey in a way that draws readers in from the first sentence to the last. To submit your story, email us at: catherine@theorigincenter.org Please include your first name (or a preferred pseudonym if you wish to remain private), and we will reach out to you before publishing.