We have an amazing Cherry Hill office and some of the social workers recently took some time out of their busy appointment schedules to sit with us and talk about adoption. Here is a deeper look at the people who help make open adoption possible for so many people in New Jersey!
Get to know the players:
[column col=”1/4″]District Supervisor Chris 
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[column col=”1/4″]Adoption Consultant Meredith 
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[column col=”1/4″]Adoption Counselor Bri 
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What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is meeting and getting to know birth parents and adoptive parents. I have met so many interesting people with such varied backgrounds and life stories. This interaction with others is what makes me want to come to work every day with a smile on my face. – Chris, AFTH District Supervisor
My favorite part of my job is working with the whole triad from beginning to start. I love seeing adoptive couples become a complete family through the process, and I love working with birthparents helping them a plan for their child knowing they are comfortable with their choice. – Meredith, AFTH Adoption Consultant
My favorite part of the job would have to be making the call to the adoptive parents to let them know they were chosen by a birth mother. I feel as though I am sharing in that moment of genuine excitement with the family. It’s a pretty amazing feeling. – Bri, AFTH Adoption Counselor
What drew you to Adoptions From The Heart?
I have always heard so many wonderful stories about Adoptions From The Heart working to build families and I jumped at the chance to be a part of this organization. – Chris, AFTH District Supervisor
16 years ago I thought adoption sounded interesting and it has become a huge part of my life. I love the organization and what it stands for. The truth is in the title “Adoptions From The Heart.” – Meredith, AFTH Adoption Consultant
I was drawn to Adoptions from the Heart as an organization because it has a back story. It is not just another adoption agency. It was built on true life experiences from our Executive Director Maxine Chalker. Not only does that better the agency but it allows us to better the clients. – Bri, AFTH Adoption Counselor
What do you wish people understood about adoption?
The one thing I wish people knew about adoption is that it is a process, and even though there are many bumps along the journey and twists and turns along the way, it can be a wonderfully rewarding process that is in the best interest of the child. – Chris, AFTH District Supervisor
I wish other’s knew adoption is wonderful choice. It’s not a shameful choice by birthparents. Because of our birthparents and their amazing choices, our adoptive parent’s journeys are completed by the selfless acts of those very birthparents. – Meredith, AFTH Adoption Consultant
One thing I wish people knew about adoption is the amount of courage it takes to make an adoption plan for a child. It is one of the most difficult decisions a person has to make and it’s a selfless act putting the needs of the child before your own. – Bri, AFTH Adoption Counselor
What advice would you give to a member of the adoption community?
The advice I would give to birth parents and adoptive parents is to live in the moment. It is very easy to fret over what has happened in the past or to worry about what will happen in the future. Focusing and enjoying the now is what is most important. – Chris, AFTH District Supervisor
My advice would be have faith and trust that we will be there every step of the way throughout their journey and the years to come – Meredith, AFTH Adoption Consultant
One piece of advice I would give to adoptive parents is to not be fearful of open adoption, you could be amazed at how the child will appreciate it later on. – Bri, AFTH Adoption Counselor
