We are nearing the end of the home study process for our first adoption. We decided to adopt domestically and locally, using Catholic Charities as our agency. We are new to our area, and CC was recommended by a colleague of DH, and DH works in a related field. But I'm beginning to see that this is not the avenue most adoptive families take when pursuing domestic adoption.
CC in our area is pretty bare-bones. They do not do websites, for instance, and I've heard that lots of prospective adoptive families make websites to advertise their availability to prospective birth parents. CC's fees are low, and they place children in the community. They place about 2-4 babies a year, and they have a waitlist of about 8 or 9 families at a given time.
We've always felt strongly about adopting. We have one bio son and have had several losses, which is what put adoption at the forefront of our hearts and minds now.
One of the reasons that we decided on CC is the closeness of our relationship to them in terms of my DH's work in this community. Another reason is that we felt that in a way we were called to become part of our community by being open and present as part of an adoptive triad. And we are practicing Catholics, so that part of it made sense too.
Also, to be honest, the complexity of the "casting a wide net" method -- putting up a website etc. -- seemed very daunting to me. And the whole idea of casting a wide net didn't sit right for me for some reason. I don't know why . . . I looked at some of the websites, and they seemed to be trying too hard, and taking on the trappings of advertising, and it bothered me a little.
The truth is that I don't know a single person who's adopted domestically, much less one who's done it where we live, or done it through Catholic Charities. I would love to know more about the experience of other mamas, and to receive your advice.
Blessings!
CC in our area is pretty bare-bones. They do not do websites, for instance, and I've heard that lots of prospective adoptive families make websites to advertise their availability to prospective birth parents. CC's fees are low, and they place children in the community. They place about 2-4 babies a year, and they have a waitlist of about 8 or 9 families at a given time.
We've always felt strongly about adopting. We have one bio son and have had several losses, which is what put adoption at the forefront of our hearts and minds now.
One of the reasons that we decided on CC is the closeness of our relationship to them in terms of my DH's work in this community. Another reason is that we felt that in a way we were called to become part of our community by being open and present as part of an adoptive triad. And we are practicing Catholics, so that part of it made sense too.
Also, to be honest, the complexity of the "casting a wide net" method -- putting up a website etc. -- seemed very daunting to me. And the whole idea of casting a wide net didn't sit right for me for some reason. I don't know why . . . I looked at some of the websites, and they seemed to be trying too hard, and taking on the trappings of advertising, and it bothered me a little.
The truth is that I don't know a single person who's adopted domestically, much less one who's done it where we live, or done it through Catholic Charities. I would love to know more about the experience of other mamas, and to receive your advice.
Blessings!
