“We just recently had a meeting with Children’s Home Society and Family Services and both of our organizations are very excited to have you advocating and sharing these wonderful resources with potential forever families. We looked over your list of resources and you have done a wonderful job compiling all of the different adoption avenues. Thanks again for letting our foundation be part of your list.” Aaron Fogleman ~ Brittany’s Hope Foundation
“Resources4Adoption has become my number one resource to assist clients in learning about grants and loans to assist them in their adoption journey. The information Resources4Adoption provides is on point, up to date and reliable. This resource in unmatched in the industry and is a must have for any searching family.” JENNIFER FAIRFAX ~ Family Formation Law Offices, Silver Spring, Maryland
"Wonderful website! I have families interested in adoption that talk to me, but are worried about affording it. You've provided a great resource. Now I can point them in your direction." Gael N., Adoptive Parent
“This is an incredibly wonderful tool for adoptive parents and for children who need a permanent and loving home. Thank you Resources4Adoption.com!” Jan, adoption professional
“Cherri was a great resource to us when we decided to adopt a waiting toddler. It was obvious she had done a lot of in-depth research into adoption grants and loans." Libby, adoptive parent
“We have struggled to keep our website current with information on grants, loans, tax credits, etc. Fortunately there is someone who is doing this and keeping it up to date, so I don’t have to spend my staff’s time trying to keep this stuff current on our website anymore. When an update is made to the chart, families will receive a notification of the new information... I decided to become one of its sponsors so the chart can be offered for free to families now.” Steffany A. Aye, LSCSW, LCSW ~ Founder and Director Adoption & Beyond, Inc.
Remove financial barriers to make YOUR adoption dream come true!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Three More Advocacy Tips
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Christmas season!
Over the last few weeks we’ve been looking at some tips how to be your child’s best advocate. So far we’ve discussed: Polite, Patient, Persistent, Investigate, Inquire and Insist. Here are three more tips that may be helpful for you.
Document – Write everything down! I like to keep all of my kid’s info in a three ring notebook with dividers and paper. This way everything is in one place. When you make phone calls or email people here is a short list of items you may want to keep track of.
1. Get the names of everyone you talk to, especially those who are directly involved with your case. Jot down not only their name, but also their title and/or credentials.
2. Make sure to get all of their contact information such as: phone number, extension number (if available), email address, work hours, etc.
3. Keep careful notes of what you said/asked and their responses. It may be a good idea to repeat a summary of what you just talked about back to them to make sure everybody’s on the same page. I try to send them a follow up email whenever I can with a summary of the dialog for their review. This way they have a chance to change something if need be.
4. Keep several copies of your child’s legal and insurance information such as: your child’s birth certificate, Social Security Number, Insurance information and policy numbers. Some organizations will only accept a certified copy of the birth certificate from your state, but most places just want to see a copy. It would be a good idea to check this out ahead of time since a lot of people do not have a state certified copy of their child’s birth certificate readily available.
5. Since identity theft is so prevalent these days, it would be wise to only give out/list on applications, you child’s Social Security Number on a need-to-know basis. Stop and think about why do they really need to know your child’s SSN? Sometimes there is no way around it, but in many cases this information is requested on an application and they do not use it for any reason at all. Does the dentist, eye doctor or even doctor really need the SSN? Unless it is somehow attached to insurance information or state programs, they probably really do not need it.
6. Keep an extra copy of the insurance card so you can just give it to providers, if needed. For example: Our children regularly visit my parents who live a couple of hours away. I gave copies of our family’s insurance card and information to them. As luck would have it, my parents have had to use this information several times since some of my kids seem to enjoy ‘visiting’ the folks at Urgent Care! This has saved us a lot of hassle since the local Urgent Care in my parents hometown had all the info they needed to treat my children when they were ill.
Do – Make sure you follow up and do whatever you agreed to do! Make yourself a 1, 2, 3 checklist with a log to document names, numbers, dates the request was made, etc. Sometimes this information needs to be exchanged very quickly, so if you have all the info with you, you will not have to scramble to get the info.
For example:
1. Call the dentist (Dr. A) and have them send me the paperwork that allows them to release my child’s records to other doctors, dentist (Dr. B), etc. Most facilities call this a “Medical Release Form” or some other type of “Release of Records Request”.
2. Fill out, SIGN it and send it back to Dr. A.
3. Give Dr. A time to get the request form (a few days if time allows)
4. Call Dr. A.’s office and ask them to send the records I requested to Dr. B. (document staff names and their role in the office to make sure I have talked with the appropriate person)
5. Follow up phone call with Dr. B to make sure they have received the information they needed.
Determined – Never give up! You may sometimes feel like you are making a nuisance of yourself and maybe you are. However, you are doing this for your child! They are more important than what other people think about you! If you have not already come to this conclusion, you now have permission to not always care what other people think about you. You have to keep in mind what your goal is and keep working to make it happen. Do not give up! Seek out others’ help if you need it. If you are feeling discouraged and defeated, you may want to seek assistance from a friend or family member who is more forward and outspoken than you are. They don’t have to fight your battles or even get involved, but they may be able to help give you some coaching and encouragement. Sometimes it is a good idea to consult with someone who is not emotionally involved in the situation to help give you a more balanced perspective on things.
If you believe strongly that something needs to be done or changed on your child’s behalf, please do not let anyone make you feel like you are asking too much or causing an inconvenience. You may be causing an inconvenience…but that is just part of it and your child is well worth every bit of it!
Getting proper rest will also help with this. Being exhausted and grouchy is usually counter-productive when you have to stay focused and determined. You may have to let something go in order to get enough sleep, but you just have to keep in mind what your core priorities are and stick to that.
I hope that some of these tips will help you or someone you know. Again, please share your stories of how you have had to advocate for your child (or other family member). What have you learned that may help someone else?
Cherri
Over the last few weeks we’ve been looking at some tips how to be your child’s best advocate. So far we’ve discussed: Polite, Patient, Persistent, Investigate, Inquire and Insist. Here are three more tips that may be helpful for you.
Document – Write everything down! I like to keep all of my kid’s info in a three ring notebook with dividers and paper. This way everything is in one place. When you make phone calls or email people here is a short list of items you may want to keep track of.
1. Get the names of everyone you talk to, especially those who are directly involved with your case. Jot down not only their name, but also their title and/or credentials.
2. Make sure to get all of their contact information such as: phone number, extension number (if available), email address, work hours, etc.
3. Keep careful notes of what you said/asked and their responses. It may be a good idea to repeat a summary of what you just talked about back to them to make sure everybody’s on the same page. I try to send them a follow up email whenever I can with a summary of the dialog for their review. This way they have a chance to change something if need be.
4. Keep several copies of your child’s legal and insurance information such as: your child’s birth certificate, Social Security Number, Insurance information and policy numbers. Some organizations will only accept a certified copy of the birth certificate from your state, but most places just want to see a copy. It would be a good idea to check this out ahead of time since a lot of people do not have a state certified copy of their child’s birth certificate readily available.
5. Since identity theft is so prevalent these days, it would be wise to only give out/list on applications, you child’s Social Security Number on a need-to-know basis. Stop and think about why do they really need to know your child’s SSN? Sometimes there is no way around it, but in many cases this information is requested on an application and they do not use it for any reason at all. Does the dentist, eye doctor or even doctor really need the SSN? Unless it is somehow attached to insurance information or state programs, they probably really do not need it.
6. Keep an extra copy of the insurance card so you can just give it to providers, if needed. For example: Our children regularly visit my parents who live a couple of hours away. I gave copies of our family’s insurance card and information to them. As luck would have it, my parents have had to use this information several times since some of my kids seem to enjoy ‘visiting’ the folks at Urgent Care! This has saved us a lot of hassle since the local Urgent Care in my parents hometown had all the info they needed to treat my children when they were ill.
Do – Make sure you follow up and do whatever you agreed to do! Make yourself a 1, 2, 3 checklist with a log to document names, numbers, dates the request was made, etc. Sometimes this information needs to be exchanged very quickly, so if you have all the info with you, you will not have to scramble to get the info.
For example:
1. Call the dentist (Dr. A) and have them send me the paperwork that allows them to release my child’s records to other doctors, dentist (Dr. B), etc. Most facilities call this a “Medical Release Form” or some other type of “Release of Records Request”.
2. Fill out, SIGN it and send it back to Dr. A.
3. Give Dr. A time to get the request form (a few days if time allows)
4. Call Dr. A.’s office and ask them to send the records I requested to Dr. B. (document staff names and their role in the office to make sure I have talked with the appropriate person)
5. Follow up phone call with Dr. B to make sure they have received the information they needed.
Determined – Never give up! You may sometimes feel like you are making a nuisance of yourself and maybe you are. However, you are doing this for your child! They are more important than what other people think about you! If you have not already come to this conclusion, you now have permission to not always care what other people think about you. You have to keep in mind what your goal is and keep working to make it happen. Do not give up! Seek out others’ help if you need it. If you are feeling discouraged and defeated, you may want to seek assistance from a friend or family member who is more forward and outspoken than you are. They don’t have to fight your battles or even get involved, but they may be able to help give you some coaching and encouragement. Sometimes it is a good idea to consult with someone who is not emotionally involved in the situation to help give you a more balanced perspective on things.
If you believe strongly that something needs to be done or changed on your child’s behalf, please do not let anyone make you feel like you are asking too much or causing an inconvenience. You may be causing an inconvenience…but that is just part of it and your child is well worth every bit of it!
Getting proper rest will also help with this. Being exhausted and grouchy is usually counter-productive when you have to stay focused and determined. You may have to let something go in order to get enough sleep, but you just have to keep in mind what your core priorities are and stick to that.
I hope that some of these tips will help you or someone you know. Again, please share your stories of how you have had to advocate for your child (or other family member). What have you learned that may help someone else?
Cherri
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
3 Keys to Successful Advocacy
I have been doing a fair amount of advocating for some of our children over the last few weeks. It started me thinking about all of the details and steps that I take to wade through all the red tape, make contact with the right people and follow the proper channels. Sometime in the recent past, I had a huge revelation…not everyone is like me! While I am sure this goes without saying, the point I want to make here is that not everyone likes to go toe to toe with an adversary (or perceived adversary). A lot of people would rather avoid locking horns with authority figures. Some people just do not like confrontation, while others (like me) sort of live for it!
Now before anyone gets the wrong idea here, I am not going to suggest some sort of civil unrest activity, law breaking or authority figure bashing…nothing like that. This topic is just something that I have been dealing with lately and I wondered if other families might benefit from what I have learned…sometimes the hard way. Some of these tips might be a ‘no brainer’ for you, but if by chance you are under a lot of stress and forgetful…here are some gentle reminders.
First let’s start with the three P’s - Polite, Patient and Persistent.
Polite – Grandma always said that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar…even though it is sort of a gross idiom, it does make the point. I have learned that a little bit of appreciation and gratitude can go a long way. Some of the people that you may be dealing with are overworked and underpaid…or at least feel like they are which often makes them grouchy. Some of these folks also work with other families that express a huge sense of entitlement…meaning they have “the world owes me” kind of attitude. Sometimes a simple ‘Thank You for all of your hard work on behalf of our family’, may be the only positive thing they have heard in months at this job.
Always try ‘honey’ first, you may be forced to go with ‘vinegar’ down the road, but we’ll discuss that later.
Patient – Give people the appropriate amount of time to respond to your request. Unless you have an extremely urgent matter, cut them some slack. I try to make a practice of giving people plenty of notice as often as I can, so that I am not always bombarding them with urgent requests all over the place. If you try to follow this practice you will hopefully avoid “the boy who cried wolf” syndrome. Then if you do have an urgent request come up, they will hopefully respond quickly.
Persistent – While this may seem to be a direct contradiction to the previous tip. I like to call it “Patiently Persistent.” This is where you have to balance allowing them the time they need versus following up to make sure they are doing whatever needs to be done. This means that you keep on top of things, checking in to see what progress is being made, follow up phone calls, follow up emails, etc. Do not assume anything or take anything for granted. A nice way of putting it would be, “Trust but Verify” EVERYTHING.
I have a few more thoughts on this subject but I will save those for the next post. Until then...Merry Christmasl!!
Cherri
Now before anyone gets the wrong idea here, I am not going to suggest some sort of civil unrest activity, law breaking or authority figure bashing…nothing like that. This topic is just something that I have been dealing with lately and I wondered if other families might benefit from what I have learned…sometimes the hard way. Some of these tips might be a ‘no brainer’ for you, but if by chance you are under a lot of stress and forgetful…here are some gentle reminders.
First let’s start with the three P’s - Polite, Patient and Persistent.
Polite – Grandma always said that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar…even though it is sort of a gross idiom, it does make the point. I have learned that a little bit of appreciation and gratitude can go a long way. Some of the people that you may be dealing with are overworked and underpaid…or at least feel like they are which often makes them grouchy. Some of these folks also work with other families that express a huge sense of entitlement…meaning they have “the world owes me” kind of attitude. Sometimes a simple ‘Thank You for all of your hard work on behalf of our family’, may be the only positive thing they have heard in months at this job.
Always try ‘honey’ first, you may be forced to go with ‘vinegar’ down the road, but we’ll discuss that later.
Patient – Give people the appropriate amount of time to respond to your request. Unless you have an extremely urgent matter, cut them some slack. I try to make a practice of giving people plenty of notice as often as I can, so that I am not always bombarding them with urgent requests all over the place. If you try to follow this practice you will hopefully avoid “the boy who cried wolf” syndrome. Then if you do have an urgent request come up, they will hopefully respond quickly.
Persistent – While this may seem to be a direct contradiction to the previous tip. I like to call it “Patiently Persistent.” This is where you have to balance allowing them the time they need versus following up to make sure they are doing whatever needs to be done. This means that you keep on top of things, checking in to see what progress is being made, follow up phone calls, follow up emails, etc. Do not assume anything or take anything for granted. A nice way of putting it would be, “Trust but Verify” EVERYTHING.
I have a few more thoughts on this subject but I will save those for the next post. Until then...Merry Christmasl!!
Cherri
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Three I’s of Advocacy
This week we will continue with a series on how to be your child’s best advocate. Here are three I’s of Advocacy.
Investigate – Do research (internet or otherwise) to find out as much as you can about whatever topic you are dealing with. If your child has a medical, emotional or behavioral diagnosis, then become very educated about it. If you are dealing with a state health program or some other form of a government program, then research that. Many times the manuals for government programs can be found online with a little bit of digging. Take detailed notes or print out the pages that pertain to your child’s situation or case. Keep all of this information in one safe place where you can access it easily if you need to. Here is why: Because of the state of the economy (both state and national) over the last few years, there can be a fairly high turnover rate for employees whose job it is to review cases and make determinations, which means that some details about your child’s case might be over looked (i.e. lack of experience in this field). There have been several times that I have had to utilize this information to help petition my child’s case. I have had to pull from their own program manual and site article numbers from that manual back to them and politely point out that they missed considering this in the review. This can make all the difference in the world on whether you child may qualify for services or not. I understand that this may seem like a lot of work, and sometimes it is! But you just simply have to keep on top of things if you want to see results. It’s like I said in a previous article on this subject, “Be patiently persistent and trust but verify EVERYTHING.”
Inquire- Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions and sometimes ask a lot of questions! I was taught that there are no stupid questions just stupid answers, so that is always how I have approached life. You will never get any answers unless you ask the questions. Do not feel ashamed if you do not understand the terminology that is being used by the professionals you are dealing with whether it is medical, psychological, or financial. Sometimes professionals overlook that the average person, who is unfamiliar with their field of expertise, has no clue what the professional is talking about or explaining. Ask the professional to explain his/her counsel to you in layman’s terms and to write down specific terms they are using on a piece of paper for you so that you can go home and look them up later. Keep well written notes and documentation of every meeting, phone call and/or communication of any kind. I will go more into this type of organization in a future article.
Insist –You may remember from the advocacy article I posted a few weeks ago, I mentioned the idiom “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I said, “Always try ‘honey’ first, you may be forced to go with ‘vinegar’ down the road, but we’ll discuss that later.” Well later is now! While the first and always best approach when dealing with anyone from professionals to state/government employees, etc. is to use “honey”, there may be a time when you have to pull out a little bit of “vinegar.” Please understand that I am not advocating some sort of blasting of people, civil unrest, use of profanity or anything of that nature. However, there may be times that you must be firm and stand your ground and insist that a matter be taken care of promptly and properly. This can be very uncomfortable for some people, especially those who do not like conflict. This also may mean that you have to go up the chain of command in order to get results. For example, a friend of mine had a baby. Their family was covered by X insurance, which had promised to pay for all of her pre-natal care. After the baby was born, the doctor’s office continued to bill her for payment of services. She continued to contest that X insurance company was supposed to pay for the pre-natal care she had received from the doctor. This went on for several months and she finally called the insurance company which gave her the run around as to why they weren’t going to pay for the pre-natal care. A few more months went by with back and forth between the doctor’s office and the insurance company. She finally said one day, “Well, I guess I’ll just pay them. We can’t afford it and the insurance company told us that they would pay, but I am tired of getting phone calls and letters demanding payment.” I suggested that she contact the insurance commissioner for our state in writing and on the phone to explain what was going on. Miraculously two weeks after she contacted the insurance commissioner, she received a very apologetic letter from the insurance company stating that it was all a big misunderstanding and they were going to pay the doctor 100 percent of the bill! Don’t let anyone bully you or make you feel like an idiot. Sometimes it pays to be a little bit insistent!
Please share your stories of how you have learned to advocate for your children. You probably have as many tips and suggestions as I do.
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving enjoying family and friends!
Cherri
Investigate – Do research (internet or otherwise) to find out as much as you can about whatever topic you are dealing with. If your child has a medical, emotional or behavioral diagnosis, then become very educated about it. If you are dealing with a state health program or some other form of a government program, then research that. Many times the manuals for government programs can be found online with a little bit of digging. Take detailed notes or print out the pages that pertain to your child’s situation or case. Keep all of this information in one safe place where you can access it easily if you need to. Here is why: Because of the state of the economy (both state and national) over the last few years, there can be a fairly high turnover rate for employees whose job it is to review cases and make determinations, which means that some details about your child’s case might be over looked (i.e. lack of experience in this field). There have been several times that I have had to utilize this information to help petition my child’s case. I have had to pull from their own program manual and site article numbers from that manual back to them and politely point out that they missed considering this in the review. This can make all the difference in the world on whether you child may qualify for services or not. I understand that this may seem like a lot of work, and sometimes it is! But you just simply have to keep on top of things if you want to see results. It’s like I said in a previous article on this subject, “Be patiently persistent and trust but verify EVERYTHING.”
Inquire- Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions and sometimes ask a lot of questions! I was taught that there are no stupid questions just stupid answers, so that is always how I have approached life. You will never get any answers unless you ask the questions. Do not feel ashamed if you do not understand the terminology that is being used by the professionals you are dealing with whether it is medical, psychological, or financial. Sometimes professionals overlook that the average person, who is unfamiliar with their field of expertise, has no clue what the professional is talking about or explaining. Ask the professional to explain his/her counsel to you in layman’s terms and to write down specific terms they are using on a piece of paper for you so that you can go home and look them up later. Keep well written notes and documentation of every meeting, phone call and/or communication of any kind. I will go more into this type of organization in a future article.
Insist –You may remember from the advocacy article I posted a few weeks ago, I mentioned the idiom “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I said, “Always try ‘honey’ first, you may be forced to go with ‘vinegar’ down the road, but we’ll discuss that later.” Well later is now! While the first and always best approach when dealing with anyone from professionals to state/government employees, etc. is to use “honey”, there may be a time when you have to pull out a little bit of “vinegar.” Please understand that I am not advocating some sort of blasting of people, civil unrest, use of profanity or anything of that nature. However, there may be times that you must be firm and stand your ground and insist that a matter be taken care of promptly and properly. This can be very uncomfortable for some people, especially those who do not like conflict. This also may mean that you have to go up the chain of command in order to get results. For example, a friend of mine had a baby. Their family was covered by X insurance, which had promised to pay for all of her pre-natal care. After the baby was born, the doctor’s office continued to bill her for payment of services. She continued to contest that X insurance company was supposed to pay for the pre-natal care she had received from the doctor. This went on for several months and she finally called the insurance company which gave her the run around as to why they weren’t going to pay for the pre-natal care. A few more months went by with back and forth between the doctor’s office and the insurance company. She finally said one day, “Well, I guess I’ll just pay them. We can’t afford it and the insurance company told us that they would pay, but I am tired of getting phone calls and letters demanding payment.” I suggested that she contact the insurance commissioner for our state in writing and on the phone to explain what was going on. Miraculously two weeks after she contacted the insurance commissioner, she received a very apologetic letter from the insurance company stating that it was all a big misunderstanding and they were going to pay the doctor 100 percent of the bill! Don’t let anyone bully you or make you feel like an idiot. Sometimes it pays to be a little bit insistent!
Please share your stories of how you have learned to advocate for your children. You probably have as many tips and suggestions as I do.
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving enjoying family and friends!
Cherri
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Special Needs = Special Blessings
Yesterday while in the doctor’s office waiting for my son's post-op check-up, I picked up a copy of a typical doctor’s office magazine. I normally do not read these types of magazines, but I did not bring my work bag in with me. I usually carry a bag with a never ending “To Do” list, work project, laptop, etc. A significant part of my life can be summed up with “Hurry up and wait.” Therefore, I almost always bring work to do. Some people call me “Type A”, while I prefer the term, “multi-tasker.” At any rate, I found this article tucked away in between all of the latest celebrity news and drama. It was about a family whose little girl does not seem to age. She has remained similar to a six-month-old child for 16 years. It was so touching to read what the family said about her. They obviously have struggles and had to sacrifice a ton. However, they say that they like her the way she is and they would not want to change her. I am sure they had hopes and dreams of what she would grow up to be but they have accepted their reality with love and grace. They accept her as a blessing in their lives. I have read so many stories of families whose children have special needs. While most will acknowledge the trials, sacrifice and burdens they bear, I have yet to come across any family that wishes the child was not in their life. They somehow have overcome their own selfish desires and looked beyond to something greater. Most parents of children with special needs will testify that it is not about what they did for the child, it is about what the child has done for them. One North Carolina mother reported that her family’s decision to adopt a daughter with special needs has blessed them in some surprising ways. She says, “We have learned some things the medical reports don’t tell you: how a child can sprout with the daily care and love of a family. No medical report could describe how much our family has grown. Each of us has learned to be patient, less selfish, to look at people differently.”
I may have told you before about my son Simon who has the special need of being cleft affected. What I did not tell you is that I also have two other special needs children. Well, actually all of my children have special needs, but only three of them are classified by medical professionals as “special needs.” Let me explain. All of my children have the special need of needing to be loved, listened to, cared for and understood. My oldest is a sophomore at a local university. She needs a few relationships that are interpersonal and deep. She is now one of my best friends. My second born is a freshman in high school. He needs a lot of social interaction and thrives in an environment of many friends. He has the dream of attending West Point and developing a distinguished military career. My third child is in seventh grade. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified). PDD-NOS disorder is somewhere in the autism spectrum. This means that he has several autistic behaviors, but they do not fall within a specifically named autistic disorder. He has sensory overload and social interaction challenges. Despite his challenges, he quite possibly could grow up to be one of the world’s greatest architectural engineers. Our fourth child, Jintry, was the first child we adopted and there were several concerns about her birth history that placed her in the category of “minor special needs” when we accepted her referral. She is fine and healthy now, but there are still many unknowns about her future (as if any of us know what tomorrow holds). She needs a lot of friends and social interaction. Jintry may quite possibly grow up to be an ambassador to foreign countries. You’ve already met Simon our fifth child. He needs people to listen closely to what he is saying and not to interrupt while he is talking. He is possibly the funniest kid on the planet. He has such a contagious laugh that everyone who hears has to laugh also. Sami is the baby of the family. She had the longest list of medical issues and special needs concerns. With her birth history, she could have been profoundly and negatively affected for life. She is now relatively healthy and doing quite well on maintenance medication. She was mildly speech delayed, but she is now catching up. She has been rather emotionally needy, but she seems to be gaining more independence and security. She is quite possibly the world’s sweetest two-year-old.
So what is the point? Why am I telling you all of this? The point is that there are many special needs children waiting to be united with their forever families. Should everyone planning to adopt consider a special needs child? I cannot answer that question. Only those considering adoption can answer that based on their family situation and what they believe God is calling them to do. Tami Davidson is the coordinator of Dillon’s Waiting Child Program. She had this to say, “The need for forever families for children with special needs continues to increase. Overall, more children with special needs are referred to our programs. It is hard to say whether that is the result of better medical information on the children, or the result of healthier children being adopted domestically. I think it is a combination of both reasons.”
So what happens if my children do not grow up to do something world changing or amazing? What about the children with severe special needs that will never grow up to have a “normal or productive” life? The next question is who decides what is “normal” or “productive?” To answer these questions let me use a somewhat simplified example. I have a cat named Jasmine. She was named after Princess Jasmine from the Disney Aladdin movie. She does not live up to her name. She is really semi-worthless. She really serves no earthly purpose except to catch and deliver an occasional field mouse. Jintry and I love our cat. She does nothing for us whatsoever. We love our cat just simply because she is ours and we receive some sort of comfort and relaxation when she sits with us and we pet her. The rest of the world would not be impacted in the least if something happened to her. We would be devastated. So why is that? The cat does not live a “productive” life or really have any earthly purpose, or does she?
Am I somehow trying to compare children, especially children with special needs, to animals? The answer is a resounding, “no.” I believe that God created the universe and He created everything with a purpose and a plan, even if I do not see it, understand it or know what it is. He is sovereign and He alone holds the ultimate plan. So what about the cat? Maybe her purpose is just to sit there and let us pet her. This has a calming effect. So what about the babies with severe disabilities? Maybe their purpose is just to be held and let you smell their sweet heads and feel their soft hair on your cheek. Maybe this is what heaven smells and feels like. Maybe their purpose is for us to catch a glimpse of the face of Jesus. Maybe something will seem strangely familiar when we hear Him laugh, when He touches our face or when he wipes the tears from our eyes.
Thank you for reading, caring and taking time to consider the children with special needs. After all, each of us has a special need of some kind or another. We all need to be loved and to love with a purpose.
Cherri
I may have told you before about my son Simon who has the special need of being cleft affected. What I did not tell you is that I also have two other special needs children. Well, actually all of my children have special needs, but only three of them are classified by medical professionals as “special needs.” Let me explain. All of my children have the special need of needing to be loved, listened to, cared for and understood. My oldest is a sophomore at a local university. She needs a few relationships that are interpersonal and deep. She is now one of my best friends. My second born is a freshman in high school. He needs a lot of social interaction and thrives in an environment of many friends. He has the dream of attending West Point and developing a distinguished military career. My third child is in seventh grade. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified). PDD-NOS disorder is somewhere in the autism spectrum. This means that he has several autistic behaviors, but they do not fall within a specifically named autistic disorder. He has sensory overload and social interaction challenges. Despite his challenges, he quite possibly could grow up to be one of the world’s greatest architectural engineers. Our fourth child, Jintry, was the first child we adopted and there were several concerns about her birth history that placed her in the category of “minor special needs” when we accepted her referral. She is fine and healthy now, but there are still many unknowns about her future (as if any of us know what tomorrow holds). She needs a lot of friends and social interaction. Jintry may quite possibly grow up to be an ambassador to foreign countries. You’ve already met Simon our fifth child. He needs people to listen closely to what he is saying and not to interrupt while he is talking. He is possibly the funniest kid on the planet. He has such a contagious laugh that everyone who hears has to laugh also. Sami is the baby of the family. She had the longest list of medical issues and special needs concerns. With her birth history, she could have been profoundly and negatively affected for life. She is now relatively healthy and doing quite well on maintenance medication. She was mildly speech delayed, but she is now catching up. She has been rather emotionally needy, but she seems to be gaining more independence and security. She is quite possibly the world’s sweetest two-year-old.
So what is the point? Why am I telling you all of this? The point is that there are many special needs children waiting to be united with their forever families. Should everyone planning to adopt consider a special needs child? I cannot answer that question. Only those considering adoption can answer that based on their family situation and what they believe God is calling them to do. Tami Davidson is the coordinator of Dillon’s Waiting Child Program. She had this to say, “The need for forever families for children with special needs continues to increase. Overall, more children with special needs are referred to our programs. It is hard to say whether that is the result of better medical information on the children, or the result of healthier children being adopted domestically. I think it is a combination of both reasons.”
So what happens if my children do not grow up to do something world changing or amazing? What about the children with severe special needs that will never grow up to have a “normal or productive” life? The next question is who decides what is “normal” or “productive?” To answer these questions let me use a somewhat simplified example. I have a cat named Jasmine. She was named after Princess Jasmine from the Disney Aladdin movie. She does not live up to her name. She is really semi-worthless. She really serves no earthly purpose except to catch and deliver an occasional field mouse. Jintry and I love our cat. She does nothing for us whatsoever. We love our cat just simply because she is ours and we receive some sort of comfort and relaxation when she sits with us and we pet her. The rest of the world would not be impacted in the least if something happened to her. We would be devastated. So why is that? The cat does not live a “productive” life or really have any earthly purpose, or does she?
Am I somehow trying to compare children, especially children with special needs, to animals? The answer is a resounding, “no.” I believe that God created the universe and He created everything with a purpose and a plan, even if I do not see it, understand it or know what it is. He is sovereign and He alone holds the ultimate plan. So what about the cat? Maybe her purpose is just to sit there and let us pet her. This has a calming effect. So what about the babies with severe disabilities? Maybe their purpose is just to be held and let you smell their sweet heads and feel their soft hair on your cheek. Maybe this is what heaven smells and feels like. Maybe their purpose is for us to catch a glimpse of the face of Jesus. Maybe something will seem strangely familiar when we hear Him laugh, when He touches our face or when he wipes the tears from our eyes.
Thank you for reading, caring and taking time to consider the children with special needs. After all, each of us has a special need of some kind or another. We all need to be loved and to love with a purpose.
Cherri
Saturday, November 6, 2010
National Adoption Awareness Month Challenges
Joint Council on International Children's Services is a membership-based advocacy organization which advocates for every child's right to a safe, permanent, and loving family. Joint Council members include world renowned child advocacy organizations, orphan care organizations, adoption service providers, parent support groups, medical clinics, and professional service providers. Joint Council began its work thirty years ago as a grassroots professional organization that provided a forum for child welfare experts to share and exchange information, ideas, and their visions of Intercountry adoption and child welfare. Dillon International is a charter member of JCICS.
30-Day Challenge: The Basics
Everyday in November, as part of Joint Council’s National Adoption Month advocacy we’re asking you to take the 30-day Challenge to help improve the lives of children around the world.
Everyday will include three parts:
1) A story of a child who was lucky enough to find a family through adoption and is thriving to this day.
2) A story of a child who wasn’t/isn’t so lucky.
3) A task that everyone can do to help kids living outside family care. These tasks will take 5 – 15 minutes of your day and may include educating yourself and others about the needs of children, targeted asks to Members of Congress, or simply watching a video.
Stories and tasks will be posted on our blog everyday, as well as, throughout Joint Council’s social media forums, including Facebook, YouTube (if it’s a video) and Twitter. We encourage you to participate in the advocacy by letting your friends and family know about the effort through these social media outlets. Will you take the 30-day Challenge? If so, let us know by leaving the comment, “I Am The Answer.”
Will you take the 30 day challenge?
Stories and Task By Each Day:
November 1st 2010- Read about Mbali & Daniel and Chantelle then learn about HIV and Adoption
November 2nd 2010- Read about Nikolas and Shelby and post the below message on the president of Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva, facebook page (found here):
“Please advocate for the 65 Kyrgyz children waiting to be adopted by U.S families. To learn more about one of these children read this story.” Then Be sure that you link to Nikolas and Shelby’s Blog Post on the President’s Wall!
November 3, 2010- Read the Stories of Jason and Minuette Mae- One Child survived the US Foster care system and found a forever family while the other did not. Once you’ve read their stories visit www.beonetoo.org and watch the “I am One Video” found on the homepage.
November 4th, 2010- Some children are true miracles. Today, read about Song, who is blind, and George who has no arms. Find out about their journey to a forever family. Then Be The Answer by spreading the word about the challenge and Joint Councils work! Find our facebook page by clicking here , “like” our page and refer our page to 5 of your friends
Be watching this blog next week because two stories submitted by Dillon International will be featured. The two titles to look for are:
Miracle of Boots by Jynger Roberts and The Perfect Plan by Tonnie Dosser
Also, this is a reminder that this Sunday, November 7, 2010 is Orphan Sunday. You can check for events in your area through this Orphan Sunday EVENTS link. Are you participating in an event? If so, please share…
Cherri
30-Day Challenge: The Basics
Everyday in November, as part of Joint Council’s National Adoption Month advocacy we’re asking you to take the 30-day Challenge to help improve the lives of children around the world.
Everyday will include three parts:
1) A story of a child who was lucky enough to find a family through adoption and is thriving to this day.
2) A story of a child who wasn’t/isn’t so lucky.
3) A task that everyone can do to help kids living outside family care. These tasks will take 5 – 15 minutes of your day and may include educating yourself and others about the needs of children, targeted asks to Members of Congress, or simply watching a video.
Stories and tasks will be posted on our blog everyday, as well as, throughout Joint Council’s social media forums, including Facebook, YouTube (if it’s a video) and Twitter. We encourage you to participate in the advocacy by letting your friends and family know about the effort through these social media outlets. Will you take the 30-day Challenge? If so, let us know by leaving the comment, “I Am The Answer.”
Will you take the 30 day challenge?
Stories and Task By Each Day:
November 1st 2010- Read about Mbali & Daniel and Chantelle then learn about HIV and Adoption
November 2nd 2010- Read about Nikolas and Shelby and post the below message on the president of Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva, facebook page (found here):
“Please advocate for the 65 Kyrgyz children waiting to be adopted by U.S families. To learn more about one of these children read this story.” Then Be sure that you link to Nikolas and Shelby’s Blog Post on the President’s Wall!
November 3, 2010- Read the Stories of Jason and Minuette Mae- One Child survived the US Foster care system and found a forever family while the other did not. Once you’ve read their stories visit www.beonetoo.org and watch the “I am One Video” found on the homepage.
November 4th, 2010- Some children are true miracles. Today, read about Song, who is blind, and George who has no arms. Find out about their journey to a forever family. Then Be The Answer by spreading the word about the challenge and Joint Councils work! Find our facebook page by clicking here , “like” our page and refer our page to 5 of your friends
Be watching this blog next week because two stories submitted by Dillon International will be featured. The two titles to look for are:
Miracle of Boots by Jynger Roberts and The Perfect Plan by Tonnie Dosser
Also, this is a reminder that this Sunday, November 7, 2010 is Orphan Sunday. You can check for events in your area through this Orphan Sunday EVENTS link. Are you participating in an event? If so, please share…
Cherri
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Do You have a Memorial Pumpkin?
Why do we cry even when a loved one’s death is not unexpected? This last week, my 91-year-old grandmother passed away. We have witnessed her gradual decline for the past few years. In the last few months, she seemed to be become more and more frail. Thankfully, she was still in her right mind and she passed away peacefully in her sleep. She lived a very blessed and full life and she was ready to meet Jesus. Even with the absence of drama surrounding her passing, we all still cried.
This experience has made me realize a few things about pain, death, loss and grief. It has been a very long time since I have lost a grandparent or anyone close to me to death. I have not had to personally go through a grieving process for about fifteen or more years. Since I am an adoptive parent this time around, I am seeing this experience through a completely different lens. I am really trying to allow myself to fully examine and experience my feelings of loss and grief.
What about her death makes me sad? Will I miss her stories about our family history and heritage? Will I miss her laugh, her cooking, her sewing, her creative frugality, her hands…just what is it? Or is it that I realize that since she is now gone that this is the end of an era? A huge piece to our family history is now gone. The truth is that it is all of these things and more.
As an adoptive parent, this has given me a unique opportunity to tap into these emotions and try to relate to my adoptive children on a much deeper level. I won’t even pretend that I will ever experience the level of deep grief and loss that they feel or will feel in the future. However, how can I harness the timing and emotions of this event to draw closer to them and show them that grieving is OK? A few thoughts came to mind as I was pondering this very thing. Maybe some of these will help you also.
ACKNOWLEDGE IT – Do not try to hide the fact that you are sad and that you are hurting. Sometimes we don’t want to cry in front of our children because we do not want to upset them. The fact is that they are probably upset already and seeing a parent cry, may actually be a relief. They won’t feel like they are all alone or feel wrong for crying.
EMBRACE IT – Actually embrace the loss and grief and allow yourself the chance to go to the painful places and even stay there awhile. Allow yourself and your children time to honestly explore why there is pain and the things that you will all miss. Pain is not always bad. In fact, it is such an important part of life that I am sometimes puzzled why we run from it and avoid it like the plague. It is OK to be sad, cry, grieve, and miss someone that you’ve loved.
LEARN FROM IT – Please try to see this as an amazing opportunity to draw closer to your family and particularly your adopted children during this time. It is also time to help you develop a little perspective on why their experience of grief and loss can be so intense. I had a revelation that hit me like a ton of bricks. While I will miss the things I know about my grandma, my adoptive children will not only miss their great-grandma, but they could also possibly experience a ‘double grief’ if you will.
There are a lot of things that I will miss about Grandma like her laugh, the color and look of her eyes, her cooking, her personality, her creativity, her amazing stories and so on. I will miss these things because I knew and experienced them. What about my adoptive children? They may miss some of these things about Great-grandma, but will they also grieve what they may never know about their birth family? “Do I have Grandpa’s laugh? Do I have eyes like my birth mother or birth father? Do I have a personality like my grandma?”
Do you see what I mean? I wonder which is worse….the pain of knowing, loving and then loosing or never knowing and experiencing at all? I am not looking for anyone to give me an answer here, but I wonder about it. What do you think?
We took our children to the pumpkin patch the same day that we received the news of Grandma’s passing. You may think that it was pretty ‘cold’ or disrespectful for us to go out and have some family fun shortly after hearing such sad news. We did it for a couple of reasons. First, we had promised the kids over a week before that we would go on this day. Second, Grandma would have wanted us to. She would have been pretty upset with us if we did not keep our promise to the kids. We had a wonderful day of family fun and the kids picked out a pumpkin for Grandma. Our kids said, “We want to get this pumpkin in honor of Grandma P.” It was pretty sweet to watch them try to find one that they thought ‘looked’ like her. So that is why we now have a memorial pumpkin!
So what about you? Will you optimize times of grief and loss to grow emotionally closer with your adoptive children? Are you willing to allow them to have a ‘memorial pumpkin’ so to speak…something tangible to honor what they have lost, no matter how ‘silly’ it may seem to you?
Cherri
This experience has made me realize a few things about pain, death, loss and grief. It has been a very long time since I have lost a grandparent or anyone close to me to death. I have not had to personally go through a grieving process for about fifteen or more years. Since I am an adoptive parent this time around, I am seeing this experience through a completely different lens. I am really trying to allow myself to fully examine and experience my feelings of loss and grief.
What about her death makes me sad? Will I miss her stories about our family history and heritage? Will I miss her laugh, her cooking, her sewing, her creative frugality, her hands…just what is it? Or is it that I realize that since she is now gone that this is the end of an era? A huge piece to our family history is now gone. The truth is that it is all of these things and more.
As an adoptive parent, this has given me a unique opportunity to tap into these emotions and try to relate to my adoptive children on a much deeper level. I won’t even pretend that I will ever experience the level of deep grief and loss that they feel or will feel in the future. However, how can I harness the timing and emotions of this event to draw closer to them and show them that grieving is OK? A few thoughts came to mind as I was pondering this very thing. Maybe some of these will help you also.
ACKNOWLEDGE IT – Do not try to hide the fact that you are sad and that you are hurting. Sometimes we don’t want to cry in front of our children because we do not want to upset them. The fact is that they are probably upset already and seeing a parent cry, may actually be a relief. They won’t feel like they are all alone or feel wrong for crying.
EMBRACE IT – Actually embrace the loss and grief and allow yourself the chance to go to the painful places and even stay there awhile. Allow yourself and your children time to honestly explore why there is pain and the things that you will all miss. Pain is not always bad. In fact, it is such an important part of life that I am sometimes puzzled why we run from it and avoid it like the plague. It is OK to be sad, cry, grieve, and miss someone that you’ve loved.
LEARN FROM IT – Please try to see this as an amazing opportunity to draw closer to your family and particularly your adopted children during this time. It is also time to help you develop a little perspective on why their experience of grief and loss can be so intense. I had a revelation that hit me like a ton of bricks. While I will miss the things I know about my grandma, my adoptive children will not only miss their great-grandma, but they could also possibly experience a ‘double grief’ if you will.
There are a lot of things that I will miss about Grandma like her laugh, the color and look of her eyes, her cooking, her personality, her creativity, her amazing stories and so on. I will miss these things because I knew and experienced them. What about my adoptive children? They may miss some of these things about Great-grandma, but will they also grieve what they may never know about their birth family? “Do I have Grandpa’s laugh? Do I have eyes like my birth mother or birth father? Do I have a personality like my grandma?”
Do you see what I mean? I wonder which is worse….the pain of knowing, loving and then loosing or never knowing and experiencing at all? I am not looking for anyone to give me an answer here, but I wonder about it. What do you think?
We took our children to the pumpkin patch the same day that we received the news of Grandma’s passing. You may think that it was pretty ‘cold’ or disrespectful for us to go out and have some family fun shortly after hearing such sad news. We did it for a couple of reasons. First, we had promised the kids over a week before that we would go on this day. Second, Grandma would have wanted us to. She would have been pretty upset with us if we did not keep our promise to the kids. We had a wonderful day of family fun and the kids picked out a pumpkin for Grandma. Our kids said, “We want to get this pumpkin in honor of Grandma P.” It was pretty sweet to watch them try to find one that they thought ‘looked’ like her. So that is why we now have a memorial pumpkin!
So what about you? Will you optimize times of grief and loss to grow emotionally closer with your adoptive children? Are you willing to allow them to have a ‘memorial pumpkin’ so to speak…something tangible to honor what they have lost, no matter how ‘silly’ it may seem to you?
Cherri
Friday, October 1, 2010
DOWNLOAD the NEWEST CHART - over 40 adoption grants in this version!
I have been working throughout the month of September, researching and adding new adoption grants to the Adoption Financial Resources Chart. The chart now contains detailed information on over 40 adoption grants! This version also contains the list of 'Don't Bothers' that I asked families about awhile back. This is the list of 'dead end' adoption grant resources. This list is provided so that if you see a name of an organization that was not on the previous chart, you don't spend your precious time chasing down a dead end road thinking it might be a 'new' source.
Please head over to the website and download the latest version of the Adoption Financial Resources Chart for adoption grants. If you registered before, simply log in and download. If you have not registered yet, I encourage you to do so. This will allow you to receive updates and news about adoption financing options as they are sent out.
The Adoption Loans version is in its final review stages and I hope to have it ready by the end of next week. I will keep you posted.
Please let me know what you think about this new chart. I love and need to hear your feedback. This way I can continue to make improvements to the information.
Thanks so much!
HAPPY FRIDAY AND HAPPY DOWNLOADING!! http://www.resources4adoption.com/
Cherri
Please head over to the website and download the latest version of the Adoption Financial Resources Chart for adoption grants. If you registered before, simply log in and download. If you have not registered yet, I encourage you to do so. This will allow you to receive updates and news about adoption financing options as they are sent out.
The Adoption Loans version is in its final review stages and I hope to have it ready by the end of next week. I will keep you posted.
Please let me know what you think about this new chart. I love and need to hear your feedback. This way I can continue to make improvements to the information.
Thanks so much!
HAPPY FRIDAY AND HAPPY DOWNLOADING!! http://www.resources4adoption.com/
Cherri
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
What is the risk of loving???
This week the movie, “Like Dandelion Dust” came out in selected theaters. The movie is based on a novel by Karen Kingsbury, a well know writer of inspirational fiction.
Until last night, I had only heard just a few little snippets about the movie mentioned on K-LOVE radio. I missed the interview with the author and lead actress that was aired earlier in the week, so all I had to go on was the positive comments mentioned by the DJ’s on the radio. Several times I heard them mention is and make kind of a big deal about how great this movie is. Well, since the movie contains an adoption theme, naturally I was very interested. Last night I had a few minutes to kill so I checked out the movie trailer.
Man was I ever shocked! My very first thought was, “Great…this is all the adoption community needs is to see another portrayal of an adoption situation gone bad! This will only reinforce fears that so many people have about adoption…the fear that the biological family can come back into the child’s life and try to regain custody. Are you kidding me!?”
Then I read some reviews of the movie and I also listened to the K-LOVE podcast interview with Karen Kingsbury. While I am still not too sure what to think of the movie, (and I really cannot make any judgment anyway since I have not seen it) it was encouraging to hear the authors heart and thought process for writing the book that is now a movie. She is an adoptive parent herself of several children from Haiti. The one thing that I took away from the interview was her comment that when we choose to love, there is always a risk involved. There is always a risk, no matter what type of relationship…whether it is a parent-child relationship, romantic relationship, adoption related relationship, whatever…we are never guaranteed anything…there is always a risk that something bad might happen and we will be left heart-broken and grieving. From this vantage point, the author’s hope is that viewers will come away from this movie with a deeper appreciation of their personal relationships and make the most of the time that is given to them.
Cherri
Until last night, I had only heard just a few little snippets about the movie mentioned on K-LOVE radio. I missed the interview with the author and lead actress that was aired earlier in the week, so all I had to go on was the positive comments mentioned by the DJ’s on the radio. Several times I heard them mention is and make kind of a big deal about how great this movie is. Well, since the movie contains an adoption theme, naturally I was very interested. Last night I had a few minutes to kill so I checked out the movie trailer.
Man was I ever shocked! My very first thought was, “Great…this is all the adoption community needs is to see another portrayal of an adoption situation gone bad! This will only reinforce fears that so many people have about adoption…the fear that the biological family can come back into the child’s life and try to regain custody. Are you kidding me!?”
Then I read some reviews of the movie and I also listened to the K-LOVE podcast interview with Karen Kingsbury. While I am still not too sure what to think of the movie, (and I really cannot make any judgment anyway since I have not seen it) it was encouraging to hear the authors heart and thought process for writing the book that is now a movie. She is an adoptive parent herself of several children from Haiti. The one thing that I took away from the interview was her comment that when we choose to love, there is always a risk involved. There is always a risk, no matter what type of relationship…whether it is a parent-child relationship, romantic relationship, adoption related relationship, whatever…we are never guaranteed anything…there is always a risk that something bad might happen and we will be left heart-broken and grieving. From this vantage point, the author’s hope is that viewers will come away from this movie with a deeper appreciation of their personal relationships and make the most of the time that is given to them.
- What do you think?
- Have you seen the movie? Please share your thoughts and feelings about it.
- If you have not seen the movie, do you think that you will try to see it? Why or Why not?
- Do you think the saying, “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” is true?
- Do you think people should avoid painful or potentially painful situations, or learn to embrace them?
Cherri
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Does Adoption Really Cost Too Much??
Over the next few weeks I would like to address some common adoption myths. Many times these myths serve as road blocks for families wishing to pursue adoption. Let’s get started with the myth or concern that is probably at the top of most families’ list. It was certainly at the top of my list!
Here is an excerpt a Hope for Orphans publication....
* “Adoption costs too much”
Reality: Depending on the circumstances, the cost of adoption ranges from nothing to $30,000. But you may not know just how much assistance is available for parents who adopt. For example, you can take advantage of the $10,000 federal adoption tax credit.
In addition, grants for thousands of dollars are often available to families pursuing adoption. Other options may include adoption funding programs at your place of employments, reductions in fees for special needs adoptions, and financial assistance from your church. All of these make adoption affordable for almost anyone willing to pursue the available options. In the end, if the Lord is calling you to adopt, He will provide the finances for your child.
* This information is excerpted from Welcome Home: Eight Steps to Adoption, Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006 FamilyLife. Used with permission. http://www.hopefororphans.org/
Here is an excerpt a Hope for Orphans publication....
* “Adoption costs too much”
Reality: Depending on the circumstances, the cost of adoption ranges from nothing to $30,000. But you may not know just how much assistance is available for parents who adopt. For example, you can take advantage of the $10,000 federal adoption tax credit.
In addition, grants for thousands of dollars are often available to families pursuing adoption. Other options may include adoption funding programs at your place of employments, reductions in fees for special needs adoptions, and financial assistance from your church. All of these make adoption affordable for almost anyone willing to pursue the available options. In the end, if the Lord is calling you to adopt, He will provide the finances for your child.
* This information is excerpted from Welcome Home: Eight Steps to Adoption, Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006 FamilyLife. Used with permission. http://www.hopefororphans.org/
- What do you think?
- Do you think it costs too much?
- How do you think that the cost could be controlled or reduced?
- Do you think that the costs involved make it seem like people are 'buying a child'?
- What would you like to tell goverments or adoption professionals regarding costs?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
4 ways to keep this free resource FREE
My passion for orphans began when I was a 12-year-old girl. Missionaries from Africa visited our church and they had adopted a little girl from the region of Africa where they were ministering. Through all of the years since, my thoughts turn toward the plight of orphans. It just continues to haunt me that while many people are stepping up to help with this need, the task seems to never end. Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can do something!
My family and I have adopted three times internationally. People often ask if we are ever going to adopt again. At this point, I would have to say “no,” but I will try not to limit God’s work in our family. I feel we are done because my desire, dream and vision have shifted from adoption for our family to helping other families realize their dream of adoption.
We struggled financially through all three of our adoptions, yet God was faithful to provide. Each time I would say, “There could not possibly be a worse time, financially, to adopt.” And wouldn’t you know it… each time our finances were even tighter with more adoption expenses!
I became known to our adoption agency as the “Resource Queen” because of all my research and activity to turn up new sources of adoption funding—especially grants. We received several adoption grants over the course of nine years and three adoptions, so I know just how daunting and difficult this process can be. I know what it is to ache for a child that you know is out there. You know he or she is yours, but you can’t get to him or her. There is this giant stonewall with $$$$ written all over it standing in your way and you cannot see over it. I hope to help chip away at this wall so you can see the other side—so you can see hope for your vision.
Resources4Adoption.com is now my new “baby,” if you will, born out of my desire to help other adoptive families find the adoption funding they need to help make their dreams of adoption a reality. I have poured so much time, energy and money into this ministry that it is hard not to become discouraged. This process is so similar to the adoption process that it is not even funny!
You know that they (whoever that is) say, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger,” right? Well, this may be true, but you can get pretty beat up in the process.
Launching this website has taken a lot more time, energy and money than I ever dreamed it would. I am so thankful I did not know in the beginning how much work this would take because I doubt I would have even tried. And just like with the other adoptions, “This could not be a worse financial time for us to do this thing.” I took a huge risk and an enormous leap of faith to leave a profession with a regular income to follow this dream… putting my personal finances and credit on the line. My family is very supportive, but it has been a very humbling and stressful situation. If I did not believe so strongly that this is the ministry God has called me to do, I would have given up long ago.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, there are a couple of reasons. No. 1: I just really needed to get this off of my chest. Secondly, I wanted to you know that there are a four things you can do to help this ministry continue:
1. PRAY: The primary thing I am asking of you right now is to pray. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, please pray for this ministry. Pray that I will be able to continue with joy and gladness and that God will lift some of the heavy burden I feel for keeping this ministry alive. Pray that God will provide financially for this ministry.
2. TELL YOUR ADOPTION AGENCY/PROFESSIONAL: Please consider contacting your adoption agency or adoption professional and tell them about Resources4Adoption.com. Ask them to put a link to us on their site and/or to consider sponsoring this site so it can remain a free resource for other adoptive families.
3. SPREAD THE WORD: Please share the news about this new free resource for adoptive families, as you are able on various forums, online groups or just in talking with other adoptive families you know personally.
4. DONATE: I was originally convinced I should charge a small fee for the resources chart, but I just could not keep it that way. The fact that the families who probably need this information the most are the least likely to be able to afford it is what kept me from attaching a price. I have committed this work for God’s glory and I trust him to fill in the financial gaps. If you feel that the resources chart has been of any help to you, a donation of any amount would be very appreciated. Look for the Donation button in the right sidebare. (Unfortunately, your donation will not be tax deductable at this time.)
Thank you for reading my ramblings and thank you for your prayers!
Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can do something!
Cherri ~ Founder of Resources4Adoption.com
My family and I have adopted three times internationally. People often ask if we are ever going to adopt again. At this point, I would have to say “no,” but I will try not to limit God’s work in our family. I feel we are done because my desire, dream and vision have shifted from adoption for our family to helping other families realize their dream of adoption.
We struggled financially through all three of our adoptions, yet God was faithful to provide. Each time I would say, “There could not possibly be a worse time, financially, to adopt.” And wouldn’t you know it… each time our finances were even tighter with more adoption expenses!
I became known to our adoption agency as the “Resource Queen” because of all my research and activity to turn up new sources of adoption funding—especially grants. We received several adoption grants over the course of nine years and three adoptions, so I know just how daunting and difficult this process can be. I know what it is to ache for a child that you know is out there. You know he or she is yours, but you can’t get to him or her. There is this giant stonewall with $$$$ written all over it standing in your way and you cannot see over it. I hope to help chip away at this wall so you can see the other side—so you can see hope for your vision.
Resources4Adoption.com is now my new “baby,” if you will, born out of my desire to help other adoptive families find the adoption funding they need to help make their dreams of adoption a reality. I have poured so much time, energy and money into this ministry that it is hard not to become discouraged. This process is so similar to the adoption process that it is not even funny!
You know that they (whoever that is) say, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger,” right? Well, this may be true, but you can get pretty beat up in the process.
Launching this website has taken a lot more time, energy and money than I ever dreamed it would. I am so thankful I did not know in the beginning how much work this would take because I doubt I would have even tried. And just like with the other adoptions, “This could not be a worse financial time for us to do this thing.” I took a huge risk and an enormous leap of faith to leave a profession with a regular income to follow this dream… putting my personal finances and credit on the line. My family is very supportive, but it has been a very humbling and stressful situation. If I did not believe so strongly that this is the ministry God has called me to do, I would have given up long ago.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, there are a couple of reasons. No. 1: I just really needed to get this off of my chest. Secondly, I wanted to you know that there are a four things you can do to help this ministry continue:
1. PRAY: The primary thing I am asking of you right now is to pray. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, please pray for this ministry. Pray that I will be able to continue with joy and gladness and that God will lift some of the heavy burden I feel for keeping this ministry alive. Pray that God will provide financially for this ministry.
2. TELL YOUR ADOPTION AGENCY/PROFESSIONAL: Please consider contacting your adoption agency or adoption professional and tell them about Resources4Adoption.com. Ask them to put a link to us on their site and/or to consider sponsoring this site so it can remain a free resource for other adoptive families.
3. SPREAD THE WORD: Please share the news about this new free resource for adoptive families, as you are able on various forums, online groups or just in talking with other adoptive families you know personally.
4. DONATE: I was originally convinced I should charge a small fee for the resources chart, but I just could not keep it that way. The fact that the families who probably need this information the most are the least likely to be able to afford it is what kept me from attaching a price. I have committed this work for God’s glory and I trust him to fill in the financial gaps. If you feel that the resources chart has been of any help to you, a donation of any amount would be very appreciated. Look for the Donation button in the right sidebare. (Unfortunately, your donation will not be tax deductable at this time.)
Thank you for reading my ramblings and thank you for your prayers!
Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can do something!
Cherri ~ Founder of Resources4Adoption.com
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
What is up with all of the government grant ads???
Have you noticed all of the ads for government grants that are everywhere you look on the internet? If you do an ‘adoption grant’ internet search, tons of these ads pop up on the side bar. This really drives me crazy, because (someone please correct me if I am wrong) private individuals normally DO NOT RECEIVE GRANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT! The only exception to this might be grants for education…like Pell grants…but the government does not give grants to private citizens for all kinds of other reasons.
I have close friends who are professional grant writers and I asked them about this several times. And the short answer is ‘NO’. The reason…most government grants are for public programs that are supposed to benefit communities or larger groups of people, not individuals.
These ads seem to say that…as a private citizen…you can get grants from the government. As far as I am concerned these ads are very misleading. Please do not waste your time OR MONEY on any of these resources. Legitimate sources exist to help organizations and grant writers find government grants, but again they are government grants for organizations…not individuals. Please be wary of companies who lead you to believe that you might somehow get an inside tract to adoption grants from the government.
Does anyone know who to contact to report truth in advertising issues? I am not sure if these ads qualify, but I have no idea how they can use ‘ADOPTION GRANTS’ as a key word or the leading words in the ads when they are clearly promoting government grants.
Again, if I am wrong…please someone let me know. As far as I know the only way to qualify for adoption grants is through private foundations, organizations and/or adoption agencies.
I have close friends who are professional grant writers and I asked them about this several times. And the short answer is ‘NO’. The reason…most government grants are for public programs that are supposed to benefit communities or larger groups of people, not individuals.
These ads seem to say that…as a private citizen…you can get grants from the government. As far as I am concerned these ads are very misleading. Please do not waste your time OR MONEY on any of these resources. Legitimate sources exist to help organizations and grant writers find government grants, but again they are government grants for organizations…not individuals. Please be wary of companies who lead you to believe that you might somehow get an inside tract to adoption grants from the government.
Does anyone know who to contact to report truth in advertising issues? I am not sure if these ads qualify, but I have no idea how they can use ‘ADOPTION GRANTS’ as a key word or the leading words in the ads when they are clearly promoting government grants.
Again, if I am wrong…please someone let me know. As far as I know the only way to qualify for adoption grants is through private foundations, organizations and/or adoption agencies.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Why you need us...
Below is an example of one search for “affording adoption/adoption financing” information that tops search engine queries that returned outdated information.
Out of the fourteen items listed below in this search, only one the adoption grants had the correct and current information and link that still works. When I was searching for adoption grants for my family, this used to drive me crazy! I would think that I had really found some great stuff only to run into a brick wall around every other corner. So frustrating and time consuming! Out of this extreme frustration was born the idea for Resources4adoption.com! It just made me mad enough to do something about it! I believe that my calling now is to help provide up-to-date adoption financing options for other families who are pursing adoption...(and not for just a short list of adoption grants...but a comprehensive list). I hope you find something on the main website that will help your family! ~ Cherri, founder of Resources4adoption.com
------------
June 5, 2006 Notice this date is four years ago…this is fairly common. *Denotes outdated information or a broken link for this listing. If you would like more detailed information on how and why we keep our information updated, please contact us.
Category: Adoption Funding
*"National Adoption Foundation—This grant program is open to all legal adoptions including public or private agency adoptions, international, special needs or adoptions facilitated by an attorney. There is no income requirement. There is a simple one page application and the only requirement to apply is a home study, or one in progress. The Foundation’s board meets four times a year, during the last week of each quarter, to award grants in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500.” Active foundation, but broken link.
*"Life International—This program gives ‘matching grants’ to families who are receiving grants or fundraising through their church.” This organization changed its name several years ago to LifeSong for Orphans (www.lifesongfororphans.org). The Life International link is broken.
*"Feng LiLi—While it definitely sounds like a Chinese adoption support group; This organization meets quarterly to review grant applications.”
Feng LiLi
180 Laural Ave.
Forest, IL 61145
(847) 482-0500
*"Ibsen Adoption Network—This is a Christian organization that provides grants in an average amount of $1,500. Families must live in Washington State and must be adopting a child that is “hard to place”, because of age, race, special needs, etc.” This link is also broken.
“Promise the Children—Promise the Children awards grants to adoptive families as part of its mission. Families must be with an agency/facilitator that is approved by PTC and must have their I-171H before they can send in their application and $15 processing fee.”
*“China Care—China Care provides financial aid to families who qualify by adopting special needs or older children from China. This is in the form of a grant, a low-interest loan, or a combination of both. The amount awarded is based on family finances and need, although it usually falls in the $1,000 to $3,000 range.”
*“A Child’s Desire—A Child’s Desire is a non-profit charity that provides grants for families seeking to adopt hard to place children, children with special needs and children over the age of eight.”
“Agency Grants—Many adoption agencies give grants (or reduce their fees) for special needs children, older children, sibling groups or children that are otherwise hard to place. Contact your agency and ask if they have such a program or if you are still choosing an agency you can look into WACAP, Holt International, Adoption Advocates International and many others.” Resources4adoption.com provides a comprehensive and current listing for adoptive families. This is a FREE resource for adoptive families that is made possible by generous sponsorship by several adoption agencies, organizations and donations from individuals.
“Special Needs—There are many organizations out there that give grants for children with specific special needs. For example, there are groups that give money to help families adopting children with Downs Syndrome, HIV+ children, children with cleft lip and/or palate, etc. If you are interested or planning on adopting a child with a diagnosed special need, I recommend you go to Yahoo or Google and search for the special need+adoption+grant and see what information you can find.” Please see statement above.
“Employer-Provided Adoption Grants—There are many companies that now offer their employees adoption benefits. Some companies offer grants in the range of $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the company. Other companies pay certain fees and others partially reimburse their employees for their adoption expenses. Ask your employer if they have any such benefits, and if they don’t’, you can check out this Web site for information on how to encourage your employer to offer adoption benefits.” Resources4adoption.com provides a comprehensive listing for many employers who offer adoption benefits to employees.
“Military Families—Military Families are entitled to up to $2,000 a year toward their adoptions. This Web site offers lots of information. Links from here take you to information from 2005 on military, federal and state benefits.” Resources4adoption also provides more detail on this resource for families.
*“Helping Kids Cope- Provides grants for adoptive parents who have a completed and approved homestudy and have not received any government assistance for at least five years. The child being adopted can be of any age, gender or race.”
*“The Boatner Family Foundation—This foundation provides grants from $1,000 up to $10,000. They require an agency approval, a financial statement, and a formal application. Contact: The Boatner Foundation, P.O. Box 132272 , The Woodlands, Texas 77393-2272.”
*“Shaohannah’s Hope—Grants are available to families using any licensed and accredited agency, but priority is given to those that are using one of the agencies listed on the Web site. Homestudy must be complete at time of application and the application is done online. This is a Christian organization.” They changed their name a few years ago.
Out of the fourteen items listed below in this search, only one the adoption grants had the correct and current information and link that still works. When I was searching for adoption grants for my family, this used to drive me crazy! I would think that I had really found some great stuff only to run into a brick wall around every other corner. So frustrating and time consuming! Out of this extreme frustration was born the idea for Resources4adoption.com! It just made me mad enough to do something about it! I believe that my calling now is to help provide up-to-date adoption financing options for other families who are pursing adoption...(and not for just a short list of adoption grants...but a comprehensive list). I hope you find something on the main website that will help your family! ~ Cherri, founder of Resources4adoption.com
------------
June 5, 2006 Notice this date is four years ago…this is fairly common. *Denotes outdated information or a broken link for this listing. If you would like more detailed information on how and why we keep our information updated, please contact us.
Category: Adoption Funding
*"National Adoption Foundation—This grant program is open to all legal adoptions including public or private agency adoptions, international, special needs or adoptions facilitated by an attorney. There is no income requirement. There is a simple one page application and the only requirement to apply is a home study, or one in progress. The Foundation’s board meets four times a year, during the last week of each quarter, to award grants in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500.” Active foundation, but broken link.
*"Life International—This program gives ‘matching grants’ to families who are receiving grants or fundraising through their church.” This organization changed its name several years ago to LifeSong for Orphans (www.lifesongfororphans.org). The Life International link is broken.
*"Feng LiLi—While it definitely sounds like a Chinese adoption support group; This organization meets quarterly to review grant applications.”
Feng LiLi
180 Laural Ave.
Forest, IL 61145
(847) 482-0500
*"Ibsen Adoption Network—This is a Christian organization that provides grants in an average amount of $1,500. Families must live in Washington State and must be adopting a child that is “hard to place”, because of age, race, special needs, etc.” This link is also broken.
“Promise the Children—Promise the Children awards grants to adoptive families as part of its mission. Families must be with an agency/facilitator that is approved by PTC and must have their I-171H before they can send in their application and $15 processing fee.”
*“China Care—China Care provides financial aid to families who qualify by adopting special needs or older children from China. This is in the form of a grant, a low-interest loan, or a combination of both. The amount awarded is based on family finances and need, although it usually falls in the $1,000 to $3,000 range.”
*“A Child’s Desire—A Child’s Desire is a non-profit charity that provides grants for families seeking to adopt hard to place children, children with special needs and children over the age of eight.”
“Agency Grants—Many adoption agencies give grants (or reduce their fees) for special needs children, older children, sibling groups or children that are otherwise hard to place. Contact your agency and ask if they have such a program or if you are still choosing an agency you can look into WACAP, Holt International, Adoption Advocates International and many others.” Resources4adoption.com provides a comprehensive and current listing for adoptive families. This is a FREE resource for adoptive families that is made possible by generous sponsorship by several adoption agencies, organizations and donations from individuals.
“Special Needs—There are many organizations out there that give grants for children with specific special needs. For example, there are groups that give money to help families adopting children with Downs Syndrome, HIV+ children, children with cleft lip and/or palate, etc. If you are interested or planning on adopting a child with a diagnosed special need, I recommend you go to Yahoo or Google and search for the special need+adoption+grant and see what information you can find.” Please see statement above.
“Employer-Provided Adoption Grants—There are many companies that now offer their employees adoption benefits. Some companies offer grants in the range of $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the company. Other companies pay certain fees and others partially reimburse their employees for their adoption expenses. Ask your employer if they have any such benefits, and if they don’t’, you can check out this Web site for information on how to encourage your employer to offer adoption benefits.” Resources4adoption.com provides a comprehensive listing for many employers who offer adoption benefits to employees.
“Military Families—Military Families are entitled to up to $2,000 a year toward their adoptions. This Web site offers lots of information. Links from here take you to information from 2005 on military, federal and state benefits.” Resources4adoption also provides more detail on this resource for families.
*“Helping Kids Cope- Provides grants for adoptive parents who have a completed and approved homestudy and have not received any government assistance for at least five years. The child being adopted can be of any age, gender or race.”
*“The Boatner Family Foundation—This foundation provides grants from $1,000 up to $10,000. They require an agency approval, a financial statement, and a formal application. Contact: The Boatner Foundation, P.O. Box 132272 , The Woodlands, Texas 77393-2272.”
*“Shaohannah’s Hope—Grants are available to families using any licensed and accredited agency, but priority is given to those that are using one of the agencies listed on the Web site. Homestudy must be complete at time of application and the application is done online. This is a Christian organization.” They changed their name a few years ago.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Free Adoption Financial Resources Chart
Why are you asked to register to receive the Free Adoption Financial Resources Chart?
We are constantly researching to keep the information on adoption financial resources up-to-date and we want to share it with you! When you register to download our FREE Adoption Financial Resources Chart, you will receive periodic email updates on this information.
Please Note: Resources4adoption.com will never sell, lease, rent, or exchange your personal and/or confidential information provided to us and will take every precaution to make sure that this information remains secure.
You can register and download a copy of the chart at http://www.resources4adoption.com/ You will receive a confirmation email that will tell you how to activate your account and then you can download the chart.
••If you would like to make help keep this resource free for families who really need it, you can make a donation through our blog. There is a donation button on the right side bar of the Resources4adoption.com blog or on the main website. Many orphans and their forever families will be blessed in return for your generosity. Thank You!!
We are constantly researching to keep the information on adoption financial resources up-to-date and we want to share it with you! When you register to download our FREE Adoption Financial Resources Chart, you will receive periodic email updates on this information.
Please Note: Resources4adoption.com will never sell, lease, rent, or exchange your personal and/or confidential information provided to us and will take every precaution to make sure that this information remains secure.
You can register and download a copy of the chart at http://www.resources4adoption.com/ You will receive a confirmation email that will tell you how to activate your account and then you can download the chart.
••If you would like to make help keep this resource free for families who really need it, you can make a donation through our blog. There is a donation button on the right side bar of the Resources4adoption.com blog or on the main website. Many orphans and their forever families will be blessed in return for your generosity. Thank You!!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
It’s FREE, Hallelujah, it’s Free!
SO MUCH has taken place with Resources4adoption.com since my last post. I can hardly wait to share all of the news and updates with you! I have been busy trying to get all of the updates done and ready for the site so it has been a struggle to find time to even post.
First, I want to say a big “Thank You” to everyone who offered your honest thoughts and opinions about the Resources4adoption.com website over the last few weeks. Some of your feedback was positive and some was not so positive. Some of your comments were not what I wanted to hear, but they were what I needed to hear. Please feel free to keep these coming so that we can continue to make improvements.
Next, I have a HUGE announcement to make….the Adoption Financial Resources Chart that was offered on the website for a fee is now FREE! I had become more and more uncomfortable with the idea of charging a fee for this resource. The fact that the families who might need this resource the most may not be able to afford it just kept bothering me and I never had peace about it. So, last Monday I made up my mind to offer the chart for free and then allow people to donate if they wanted to. I decided to trust God to take care of my expenses for running the site and if it He wanted it to work, it would work.
Last Tuesday Resources4adoption.com received sponsorship from Adoption and Beyond. Thanks in part of the generous support of Adoption and Beyond, the Adoption Financial Resources Chart is a free resource to adoptive families. Thank you Adoption and Beyond for stepping up to show adoptive families you care!
Please don’t let this opportunity wait! Download your copy today! Please register when you are ready to download this resource so that we can send you updates to the information as they become available. (We hate spam as much as you do. We do not sell, trade, share or exchange your information with anyone!)
I just finished adding content to the chart a few weeks ago and it already needs an update! This is why adoptive families need Resources4adoption.com! To our knowledge, there is no other site or organization that claims to keep their adoption financial resource information current like Resources4adoption.com.
So please, shout it from the roof tops! Share it with all your friends on Facebook, My Space, Twitter and any other Social Media outlet that you are a part of. The Adoption Financial Resources Chart that contains comprehensive information on over 30 adoption grants is now FREE!!! Simply register and you can download a copy!
Just as a side note…The current copy of the Adoption Financial Resources Chart still has the ‘purchase agreement’ statement on the final page. This language will also be updated and changed soon, since it is no longer a purchase but a free resource!
Finally, the other news…I found another adoption grant to add to the chart! This grant is for families adopting from India. I will be posting more information about this grant later in the week, so stay tuned! Detailed info on adoption loans and fundraisers is also on the agenda for the near future.
Cherri ~ Founder and Director of Resources4adoption.com
First, I want to say a big “Thank You” to everyone who offered your honest thoughts and opinions about the Resources4adoption.com website over the last few weeks. Some of your feedback was positive and some was not so positive. Some of your comments were not what I wanted to hear, but they were what I needed to hear. Please feel free to keep these coming so that we can continue to make improvements.
Next, I have a HUGE announcement to make….the Adoption Financial Resources Chart that was offered on the website for a fee is now FREE! I had become more and more uncomfortable with the idea of charging a fee for this resource. The fact that the families who might need this resource the most may not be able to afford it just kept bothering me and I never had peace about it. So, last Monday I made up my mind to offer the chart for free and then allow people to donate if they wanted to. I decided to trust God to take care of my expenses for running the site and if it He wanted it to work, it would work.
Last Tuesday Resources4adoption.com received sponsorship from Adoption and Beyond. Thanks in part of the generous support of Adoption and Beyond, the Adoption Financial Resources Chart is a free resource to adoptive families. Thank you Adoption and Beyond for stepping up to show adoptive families you care!
Please don’t let this opportunity wait! Download your copy today! Please register when you are ready to download this resource so that we can send you updates to the information as they become available. (We hate spam as much as you do. We do not sell, trade, share or exchange your information with anyone!)
I just finished adding content to the chart a few weeks ago and it already needs an update! This is why adoptive families need Resources4adoption.com! To our knowledge, there is no other site or organization that claims to keep their adoption financial resource information current like Resources4adoption.com.
So please, shout it from the roof tops! Share it with all your friends on Facebook, My Space, Twitter and any other Social Media outlet that you are a part of. The Adoption Financial Resources Chart that contains comprehensive information on over 30 adoption grants is now FREE!!! Simply register and you can download a copy!
Just as a side note…The current copy of the Adoption Financial Resources Chart still has the ‘purchase agreement’ statement on the final page. This language will also be updated and changed soon, since it is no longer a purchase but a free resource!
Finally, the other news…I found another adoption grant to add to the chart! This grant is for families adopting from India. I will be posting more information about this grant later in the week, so stay tuned! Detailed info on adoption loans and fundraisers is also on the agenda for the near future.
Cherri ~ Founder and Director of Resources4adoption.com
Friday, August 20, 2010
A nine year investment and my heart.
Resources4Adoption.com has been a vision of mine for more than nine years.
My husband and I knew we wanted to adopt, but when I began searching for financial resources, I became frustrated by the lack of information. But we were committed and determined to make our adoption dream a reality. After literally hundreds of hours of research, countless emails, dozens of phone calls, stacks upon stacks of paperwork and an out-pour of support from friends and family, we were blessed with three wonderful adopted children.
Adoption is such a beautiful experience, and I wanted to make it more feasible and eliminate some of the stress involved, so more moms and dad could bring their children home. My goal was to create one comprehensive site so parents would not have to repeat my experience, trying to navigate through broken links and outdated information to find resources to help them (yes, there are resources that can help you!)
It took nine years of information-gathering and careful planning, but alas, Resources4Adoption.com is here! It offers a wealth of knowledge that can only be obtained through hundreds of dedicated hours, first-hand experience and a passion for adoption.
As you venture on your adoption journey, I hope you find Resources4Adoption.com to be beneficial. If it helps you—if even in the slightest—bring home your son or daughter, I have succeeded. Use the information on Resources4Adoption, and never, ever lose sight of your dream. With hope, determination and the right knowledge, your adoption dreams CAN and WILL become a reality!
My husband and I knew we wanted to adopt, but when I began searching for financial resources, I became frustrated by the lack of information. But we were committed and determined to make our adoption dream a reality. After literally hundreds of hours of research, countless emails, dozens of phone calls, stacks upon stacks of paperwork and an out-pour of support from friends and family, we were blessed with three wonderful adopted children.
Adoption is such a beautiful experience, and I wanted to make it more feasible and eliminate some of the stress involved, so more moms and dad could bring their children home. My goal was to create one comprehensive site so parents would not have to repeat my experience, trying to navigate through broken links and outdated information to find resources to help them (yes, there are resources that can help you!)
It took nine years of information-gathering and careful planning, but alas, Resources4Adoption.com is here! It offers a wealth of knowledge that can only be obtained through hundreds of dedicated hours, first-hand experience and a passion for adoption.
As you venture on your adoption journey, I hope you find Resources4Adoption.com to be beneficial. If it helps you—if even in the slightest—bring home your son or daughter, I have succeeded. Use the information on Resources4Adoption, and never, ever lose sight of your dream. With hope, determination and the right knowledge, your adoption dreams CAN and WILL become a reality!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Why Resources4adoption.com?
Resources4Adoption.com strives to be the most comprehensive and current resource for aspiring adoptive parents. Through nine years of research (and counting!) we have an inclusive list of over 30 adoption grants. Updates on these adoption grants is provided with the purchase of the Adoption Financial Resource Chart. More information coming soon on adoption loans and fundraising ideas. These resources will help make your adoption dream a reality!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
What does the Adoption Financial Resources Chart Contain?
The Adoption Financial Resources Chart contains comprehensive information on over 30 adoption grants! This includes all of the contact information for each grant as well as the eligibility guidelines for each grant.
What are some of the eligibility guidelines? Many granting organizations have a list eligibility rules for their applicants. I break these down into an easy-to-ready chart so that you can quickly identify the grants that you may wish to apply for. This will save you a ton of time! Now you can just refer to the chart instead of going to the trouble of going to the website, reading through the eligibility criteria, downloading the application, etc.
Here are some of the more common guideline categories:
Religious Criteria ~ Christian, specific denomination, LDS, Hebrew, etc.
Marital Status ~ Married or Single
Agency Specific ~ Some adoption agencies have adoption grants available for families using their agency.
State Specific ~ There are several adoption grants that are for residents of certain states such as Kansas, Washington state, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, etc.
Date Due ~ This can also vary between organizations. Some receive applications on an ongoing basis, while others only accept applications quarterly, twice a year or once a year. This is important information to know so that you can plan when to apply.
How to Apply ~ Some organizations require pre-application approval, or you must request an application in writing, or you can download the application/apply online.
Application Fee ~ A few organizations require an application fee. These fees range from $15 to $40.
Other ~ Some organizations only offer grants for specific circumstances or for special needs such as sibling groups, older children, a specific special need, or for certain income levels.
Sign up and get the chart at http://www.resources4adoption.com/
What are some of the eligibility guidelines? Many granting organizations have a list eligibility rules for their applicants. I break these down into an easy-to-ready chart so that you can quickly identify the grants that you may wish to apply for. This will save you a ton of time! Now you can just refer to the chart instead of going to the trouble of going to the website, reading through the eligibility criteria, downloading the application, etc.
Here are some of the more common guideline categories:
Religious Criteria ~ Christian, specific denomination, LDS, Hebrew, etc.
Marital Status ~ Married or Single
Agency Specific ~ Some adoption agencies have adoption grants available for families using their agency.
State Specific ~ There are several adoption grants that are for residents of certain states such as Kansas, Washington state, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, etc.
Date Due ~ This can also vary between organizations. Some receive applications on an ongoing basis, while others only accept applications quarterly, twice a year or once a year. This is important information to know so that you can plan when to apply.
How to Apply ~ Some organizations require pre-application approval, or you must request an application in writing, or you can download the application/apply online.
Application Fee ~ A few organizations require an application fee. These fees range from $15 to $40.
Other ~ Some organizations only offer grants for specific circumstances or for special needs such as sibling groups, older children, a specific special need, or for certain income levels.
Sign up and get the chart at http://www.resources4adoption.com/
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Adoption Financial Resource Chart is ready!
The Adoption Financial Resource Chart is ready! Please go to www.resources4adoption.com When you register, you will receive several months of updates to the chart. You can receive all of the latest updates on Adoption Financing Options! You will also receive updates when I find a new financial resource or if a reso...u...rce has changed...For example if an organization either begins or stops taking applications or if their contact information has changed.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Updates to Adoption Grant Spreadsheet
We are in the final prep stages to make the adoption grant spreadsheet into a chart that will be easier to download. I hope to have this ready to go by Monday. Question: Once you have a copy of this chart, would you like to receive updates as they become available? Receiving updates is part of my commitment to keep adoptive families up-to-date with any changes that occur after they download a chart.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Resource4Adoption.com offers:
- More than nine years of research—online and offline
- 30+ grant listings in an easy-to-read format so you can see which you qualify for
- Coaching throughout your adoption journey from a knowledgeable adoptive parent of three
- A supportive community of adoptive hopefuls like you on social networks like Facebook
Where do I start?
1. Join our networks on Facebook and Twitter to connect with aspiring adoptive parents like you and receive ongoing guidance and support.
2. Purchase our comprehensive, up-to-date Adoption Resource Directory to quickly discover what grants YOU may qualify for. These will be available soon. Watch for updates
3. Browse the tabs on our site to learn more about financial opportunities and resources that can make your adoption dream a reality!
4. Contact us to receive personal, one-on-one coaching from our founder and adoptive mother of three, Cherri.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Website updates
I am working with a copywriter to make the website more user friendly. Look for these updates soon. We are also just about finished with the adoption grant spreadsheet. I will announce when this is ready to go. Thank you for sending me your questions, comments and inquiries. I love hearing from you! It makes all of the time that I have put into this really worth it!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
What I learned from Korea Camp
My oldest daughter, my three youngest children and I attended Korea Camp hosted by Dillon International last week in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We have been hoping to attend for the past several years, but the timing and the finances were just not in place. I am so excited to report that we had a WONDERFUL time. It was exhausting, but amazing! I am still recovering from ‘event withdrawl’.
This week, I would like to share some of the things that I learned from Korea Camp. Some of these things I learned while preparing to go to camp, while traveling to and from camp and while at the actual camp.
1. Be flexible….be very, very flexible – try not to develop and hold on to any unrealistic expectations. Just relax, go with the flow and have fun!
2. A five hour trip can actually take more like eight or nine when you have younger passengers in the automobile, so allow for a lot of extra time.
3. When planning a long road trip with children who require car seats, check to see if there is adequate padding in the hard plastic seat. I learned this the hard way after a few hours, all three of my little ones where crying because their backsides hurt so badly!
4. Plan for organized chaos the first day of camp. It really is under control, even if it does not look like it.
5. When meeting people face to face first time after ‘knowing’ them via the internet (i.e. forums or online groups, etc) or phone…plan on the fact that they will never look in person the way you picture them.
6. The Korean Culture is awesome and amazing!! Some of it you will like and some of it will seem different, but learn to appreciate it all!
7. Some of our favorite moments of camp were watching the Korean dancer with the ribbon on his head, meeting new friends, catching up with old friends and answering the question, “Where are you from?”…which meant what state or town, not country you came from!
8. When trying to locate your child in the crowd, you cannot try to find the one with the dark hair!
9. One of my children came home from camp the first day so excited that they made a new best friend. When I asked which one, she said, “the one with the dark hair and eyes like mine”. So sweet!
10. The camp coordinators begin working on next year’s camp as soon as this one ends! I believe it! They are amazing! Thank you everyone from coordinators, volunteers, parents, Korean Musician group, counselors, campers and anyone else who made Korea camp a success!
11. Before returning home, stop by a craft store and buy some foam padding to put in the car seats for the ride home…much more pleasant for everyone…backsides of the little ones and for the hearing of the other passengers!
12. If you decide to get ice cream after the long drive home, wait until you actually get home before you pass it out to the kids. Either that, or get a flavor that actually complements the interior of your automobile. Does anyone know what flavor compliments a grey interior?
13. Even if your vehicle does have 154,000 miles on it, ‘recycled’ ice cream still stinks!
14. Pack plenty of Pepto-Bismol and paper towels….and have them ready to hand out in a split second!
15. Make plans now to attend a heritage camp next year! It will be worth every minute, every mile traveled, every inconvenience and every single dollar of expense. It will be a precious and priceless experience for your entire family!
I would love to hear about some of your camp experiences no matter which camp or heritage event you have attended this year. Did you learn anything that you would like to share with others? Please let us know!
Cherri
This week, I would like to share some of the things that I learned from Korea Camp. Some of these things I learned while preparing to go to camp, while traveling to and from camp and while at the actual camp.
1. Be flexible….be very, very flexible – try not to develop and hold on to any unrealistic expectations. Just relax, go with the flow and have fun!
2. A five hour trip can actually take more like eight or nine when you have younger passengers in the automobile, so allow for a lot of extra time.
3. When planning a long road trip with children who require car seats, check to see if there is adequate padding in the hard plastic seat. I learned this the hard way after a few hours, all three of my little ones where crying because their backsides hurt so badly!
4. Plan for organized chaos the first day of camp. It really is under control, even if it does not look like it.
5. When meeting people face to face first time after ‘knowing’ them via the internet (i.e. forums or online groups, etc) or phone…plan on the fact that they will never look in person the way you picture them.
6. The Korean Culture is awesome and amazing!! Some of it you will like and some of it will seem different, but learn to appreciate it all!
7. Some of our favorite moments of camp were watching the Korean dancer with the ribbon on his head, meeting new friends, catching up with old friends and answering the question, “Where are you from?”…which meant what state or town, not country you came from!
8. When trying to locate your child in the crowd, you cannot try to find the one with the dark hair!
9. One of my children came home from camp the first day so excited that they made a new best friend. When I asked which one, she said, “the one with the dark hair and eyes like mine”. So sweet!
10. The camp coordinators begin working on next year’s camp as soon as this one ends! I believe it! They are amazing! Thank you everyone from coordinators, volunteers, parents, Korean Musician group, counselors, campers and anyone else who made Korea camp a success!
11. Before returning home, stop by a craft store and buy some foam padding to put in the car seats for the ride home…much more pleasant for everyone…backsides of the little ones and for the hearing of the other passengers!
12. If you decide to get ice cream after the long drive home, wait until you actually get home before you pass it out to the kids. Either that, or get a flavor that actually complements the interior of your automobile. Does anyone know what flavor compliments a grey interior?
13. Even if your vehicle does have 154,000 miles on it, ‘recycled’ ice cream still stinks!
14. Pack plenty of Pepto-Bismol and paper towels….and have them ready to hand out in a split second!
15. Make plans now to attend a heritage camp next year! It will be worth every minute, every mile traveled, every inconvenience and every single dollar of expense. It will be a precious and priceless experience for your entire family!
I would love to hear about some of your camp experiences no matter which camp or heritage event you have attended this year. Did you learn anything that you would like to share with others? Please let us know!
Cherri
Monday, July 26, 2010
Home from camp, getting ready to work on Web site
I am home from Korea Camp. I am totally exhausted and having event withdraw. I have plans this week to add more grants to the grant spreadsheet, update the loan spreadsheet and get the fundraiser spreadsheet organized. I have so much information on this stuff that it is almost mind numbing. I also have a few more editing items to do for the site. Please let me know if you find anything about the site that is incorrect or not user friendly. I would love to have your feedback. Thanks so very much!
Cherri
Cherri
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Korea Camp is done
CAMP WAS AWESOME!!!!! I absolutely loved it and so did the kids. Way to go Dillon staff, volunteers, families and campers. I feel like my family has grown by about 200 people! I now having 'event withdrawl' and I will have to try to catch up on some rest soon. I wish you all the best and many blessings!
Cherri
Cherri
Friday, July 23, 2010
Korea Camp - day 2
It is wonderful and chaotic at the same time! I have learned a lot about Korea also! We are very tired, but our excitement is keeping us going.
More later,
Cherri
More later,
Cherri
Thursday, July 22, 2010
First day At camp
We had A full day on 4 hours of sleep. The trip that should have taken 5 hours took us 8.5! If you need to contact me while I am gone please email me at cherris.soapbox@gmail.com Hopefully I can pics tomorrow.
Cherri
Cherri
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Headed for Korea Camp!!
Four of my children and I are headed for Korea Camp! It is hosted by Dillon International and held in Tulsa, OK. We have a long drive and a lot to do before we go. I will try to keep you posted on the events and post pictures. Keep checking the blog, Facebook and Twitter!
Korea Heritage Camp
July 22 - 24, 2010
Green Country Event Center,
12000 East 31st Street, Tulsa, OK 74146
Cherri
Korea Heritage Camp
July 22 - 24, 2010
Green Country Event Center,
12000 East 31st Street, Tulsa, OK 74146
Cherri
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
We are live!
We are live on the Web. You can also check out the Constant Contact email for more info and ad rates here. Le me know what you think!
Cherri
Cherri
Monday, July 19, 2010
Set to launch!
Resources4Adoption.com should be available on most search engines by tomorrow, TUESDAY, July 20, 2010!
We still have a few more edits to do, but launch is in site! If you find any errors, please email me so we can fix them. Thanks!!!
Cherri
cherris.soapbox@gmail.com
We still have a few more edits to do, but launch is in site! If you find any errors, please email me so we can fix them. Thanks!!!
Cherri
cherris.soapbox@gmail.com
Friday, July 16, 2010
Web site almost ready
I wanted to update you that the Resources4adoption Web site is almost ready to launch. We are looking for pilot sponsors for this site. Please contact me if you are interested. You can email me at cherris.soapbox@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Greetings!
My name is Cherri W. and I would like to introduce you to a new website that is scheduled to launch the first week of June 2010. It is called Resources4adoption.com.
The four fundamental goals of Resources4adoption.com
Comprehensive-The most comprehensive listing of adoption financing options available.
Current-The most up-to-date information on adoption financing options available.
Careful-The most detailed adoption financing options available in an easy-to-read format.
Coaching - The most complete organizational, step-by-step guide available to help families navigate the process of applying for adoption financing options.
Story Behind Resources4adoption.com
The idea for this website was born out of my extreme frustration while trying to research and apply for adoption grants and loans during my family's three international adoptions. Information on fundraisers was not well organized and sporadic also. I wished that there was one website that had all of these resources listed together in an easy to read format that I could download, buy or use as a check list. I have spent hundreds of hours over the last nine years collecting and organizing adoption financing option information, compiling my own spreadsheets and applying for every adoption grant and loan that my family was eligible for.
While researching, I discovered many websites that had multiple listings for information on various adoption grants and or loans. The problem was that none of these sites had a comprehensive list of the organizations providing the adoption grants and loans. Some of the information was the same, some was different and some of it was completely out of date. I found this out by actually visiting each and every site and compiling my own list and notes.
Most of the foundations that offer adoption grants, loans and some fundraisers have certain eligibility criteria that must be met before a family can apply. Once again, I had to visit each and every site and sometimes even download their application before I could determine whether or not my family would be eligible to apply.
This was incredibly time consuming and frustrating. I have three biological children in addition to my three internationally adopted children. Therefore, as a busy parent of multiple children I really did not have the time to do all of this research and work. Adoption paperwork can be overwhelming all by itself. Then add the strain of dealing with all the adoption financing paperwork. I used every spare minute I had to do this research and work. Now I have made it my passion to help other adoptive families who long to build their family by way of adoption but financial barriers stand in their way.
Good-Bye Wasted Time...
Hello Resources4adoption!
The information on Resources4adoption.com will save adoptive families countless hours of time and frustration because the work has already been done! They will no longer have sort out the accurate information from a sea of inaccurate information. They can actually spend their time applying for adoption financial assistance or conducting fundraisers.
FAQ
Q. Is this a legitimate business?
A. Resources4adoption.com is under the direction of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC. This business is registered with the Secretary of State's office in its state of operation. Cherri W. is the president and founder of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC More information about this company is available to legitimate businesses who may wish to advertise on Resources4.adoption.com This information includes the state Business Entity ID Number, IRS EIN, and articles of organization for the LLC.
Q. What makes Resources4adoption.com different that the tons of information on this topic already flooding the internet?
A. Comprehensive, Current, Careful and Coaching are the foundational principals that Resources4adoption.com is based on.
Resources4adoption.com
will provide a full listing the eligibility criteria for applicants to review in an easy to read and downloadable spreadsheet. In a few short minutes, families will be able to look through the listing and determine which organizations they are eligible to apply for.
Many websites list some resource links for a few grants, loans and fundraising ideas for adoption financing. Cherri has not found one site that has the comprehensive list or data base like she has developed. Much of the information that comes up first in search engines is just simply out dated. It takes a lot of time to sort out this information by checking every single link. Resources4adoptoin.com can provide you with an example list of this information if you are interested. One example is www.adoptionfinancing.org This site's last update was January 2007.
Cherri has literally spent hundreds of hours and close to ten years developing the data base of information for adoption financing options. The goal for this site will be to provide the most comprehensive and most current listing of all adoption grants, loans and fundraising ideas available. Cherri continues to do regular research on this topic in order to keep all the information as accurate and current as possible.
Q. Who is Cherri and where did she come from?
A. Cherri grew up in rural southeast Kansas. Cherri's passion for adoption began as a twelve-year old girl when missionaries from Africa visited her church with their adopted daughter. This sparked an interest in adoption and planted a seed for international adoption that was watered and nurtured for twenty years. Cherri along with her husband Paul have three beautiful biological children and three Asian angels through the miracle of adoption. Cherri is also the coordinator for the developing adoption ministry at her church home.
Cherri W. is the founder and president of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC. Cherri uses this business to launch new and exciting pursuits. Some of her business ventures include public speaking, entrepreneurial concepts, blogging, research and adoption consulting. Cherri also speaks on a variety of topics including God's word, Creation, Purity; Balancing Faith, Family and Finances; Orphans and Miracles of Adoption. Cherri delivers the message with complete passion and conviction. You will be touched and inspired by her personal stories from her life as a wife, mother of six children and business owner.
Q. Who is helping Cherri develop this website?
A. Redlogic Communications, Inc.
Contact Information
913 795 2220 - office
877 733 5644 - toll-free
511 Main • Mound City, KS
Q. What kind of social media avenues will be used to ensure that this site will attract a lot of traffic?
A. The use of Google Adsense, Facebook, Twitter, Stumbled Upon, adoption related forums and magazines, etc. and SEO plans. This marketing plan will be implemented with the help of Redlogic Communications, Inc. And Constant Contact
Q. What is Cherri's prior work experience?
A. Cherri currently serves as the Adoptive Family Outreach Coordinator for Dillon International, Inc. (a licensed, not-for-profit child placement agency that has specialized in international adoption since its beginning in 1972) One of Cherri's latest pursuits is planning for a new website called resources4adoption.
Prior to working in the adoption field, Cherri was an ultrasound professional for sixteen years. She still holds three registries with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Adult Echo, Abdomen and OB/GYN. Cherri is periodically asked by local medical facilities to come and fill in for their ultrasound employees who are on vacation or family leave.
Thank you for being a valuable link for families hoping to add to their family by way of adoption. Developing this web site has been a dream of mine for many years. Thank you for catching the vision and for helping to make this dream a reality. I know that many families will benefit from the information on this web site and from the services that you offer as well.
Sincerely,
CHERRI W.
Resources4adoption.com
President, Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC
My name is Cherri W. and I would like to introduce you to a new website that is scheduled to launch the first week of June 2010. It is called Resources4adoption.com.
The four fundamental goals of Resources4adoption.com
Comprehensive-The most comprehensive listing of adoption financing options available.
Current-The most up-to-date information on adoption financing options available.
Careful-The most detailed adoption financing options available in an easy-to-read format.
Coaching - The most complete organizational, step-by-step guide available to help families navigate the process of applying for adoption financing options.
Story Behind Resources4adoption.com
The idea for this website was born out of my extreme frustration while trying to research and apply for adoption grants and loans during my family's three international adoptions. Information on fundraisers was not well organized and sporadic also. I wished that there was one website that had all of these resources listed together in an easy to read format that I could download, buy or use as a check list. I have spent hundreds of hours over the last nine years collecting and organizing adoption financing option information, compiling my own spreadsheets and applying for every adoption grant and loan that my family was eligible for.
While researching, I discovered many websites that had multiple listings for information on various adoption grants and or loans. The problem was that none of these sites had a comprehensive list of the organizations providing the adoption grants and loans. Some of the information was the same, some was different and some of it was completely out of date. I found this out by actually visiting each and every site and compiling my own list and notes.
Most of the foundations that offer adoption grants, loans and some fundraisers have certain eligibility criteria that must be met before a family can apply. Once again, I had to visit each and every site and sometimes even download their application before I could determine whether or not my family would be eligible to apply.
This was incredibly time consuming and frustrating. I have three biological children in addition to my three internationally adopted children. Therefore, as a busy parent of multiple children I really did not have the time to do all of this research and work. Adoption paperwork can be overwhelming all by itself. Then add the strain of dealing with all the adoption financing paperwork. I used every spare minute I had to do this research and work. Now I have made it my passion to help other adoptive families who long to build their family by way of adoption but financial barriers stand in their way.
Good-Bye Wasted Time...
Hello Resources4adoption!
The information on Resources4adoption.com will save adoptive families countless hours of time and frustration because the work has already been done! They will no longer have sort out the accurate information from a sea of inaccurate information. They can actually spend their time applying for adoption financial assistance or conducting fundraisers.
FAQ
Q. Is this a legitimate business?
A. Resources4adoption.com is under the direction of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC. This business is registered with the Secretary of State's office in its state of operation. Cherri W. is the president and founder of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC More information about this company is available to legitimate businesses who may wish to advertise on Resources4.adoption.com This information includes the state Business Entity ID Number, IRS EIN, and articles of organization for the LLC.
Q. What makes Resources4adoption.com different that the tons of information on this topic already flooding the internet?
A. Comprehensive, Current, Careful and Coaching are the foundational principals that Resources4adoption.com is based on.
Resources4adoption.com
will provide a full listing the eligibility criteria for applicants to review in an easy to read and downloadable spreadsheet. In a few short minutes, families will be able to look through the listing and determine which organizations they are eligible to apply for.
Many websites list some resource links for a few grants, loans and fundraising ideas for adoption financing. Cherri has not found one site that has the comprehensive list or data base like she has developed. Much of the information that comes up first in search engines is just simply out dated. It takes a lot of time to sort out this information by checking every single link. Resources4adoptoin.com can provide you with an example list of this information if you are interested. One example is www.adoptionfinancing.org This site's last update was January 2007.
Cherri has literally spent hundreds of hours and close to ten years developing the data base of information for adoption financing options. The goal for this site will be to provide the most comprehensive and most current listing of all adoption grants, loans and fundraising ideas available. Cherri continues to do regular research on this topic in order to keep all the information as accurate and current as possible.
Q. Who is Cherri and where did she come from?
A. Cherri grew up in rural southeast Kansas. Cherri's passion for adoption began as a twelve-year old girl when missionaries from Africa visited her church with their adopted daughter. This sparked an interest in adoption and planted a seed for international adoption that was watered and nurtured for twenty years. Cherri along with her husband Paul have three beautiful biological children and three Asian angels through the miracle of adoption. Cherri is also the coordinator for the developing adoption ministry at her church home.
Cherri W. is the founder and president of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC. Cherri uses this business to launch new and exciting pursuits. Some of her business ventures include public speaking, entrepreneurial concepts, blogging, research and adoption consulting. Cherri also speaks on a variety of topics including God's word, Creation, Purity; Balancing Faith, Family and Finances; Orphans and Miracles of Adoption. Cherri delivers the message with complete passion and conviction. You will be touched and inspired by her personal stories from her life as a wife, mother of six children and business owner.
Q. Who is helping Cherri develop this website?
A. Redlogic Communications, Inc.
Contact Information
913 795 2220 - office
877 733 5644 - toll-free
511 Main • Mound City, KS
Q. What kind of social media avenues will be used to ensure that this site will attract a lot of traffic?
A. The use of Google Adsense, Facebook, Twitter, Stumbled Upon, adoption related forums and magazines, etc. and SEO plans. This marketing plan will be implemented with the help of Redlogic Communications, Inc. And Constant Contact
Q. What is Cherri's prior work experience?
A. Cherri currently serves as the Adoptive Family Outreach Coordinator for Dillon International, Inc. (a licensed, not-for-profit child placement agency that has specialized in international adoption since its beginning in 1972) One of Cherri's latest pursuits is planning for a new website called resources4adoption.
Prior to working in the adoption field, Cherri was an ultrasound professional for sixteen years. She still holds three registries with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Adult Echo, Abdomen and OB/GYN. Cherri is periodically asked by local medical facilities to come and fill in for their ultrasound employees who are on vacation or family leave.
Thank you for being a valuable link for families hoping to add to their family by way of adoption. Developing this web site has been a dream of mine for many years. Thank you for catching the vision and for helping to make this dream a reality. I know that many families will benefit from the information on this web site and from the services that you offer as well.
Sincerely,
CHERRI W.
Resources4adoption.com
President, Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC
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