What do you wish expectant parents, adoptive parents, or other social workers knew about the adoptee perspective that is often overlooked? “What I wish more expectant parents, adoptive parents, and even other social workers understood is that adoptees can be really loved and well supported and still have complicated feelings about being adopted. Gratitude and grief [...]
How has your experience as an adoptee shaped the way you approach your work with clients? Does it change how you advocate for open adoption? “My experience reminds me that adoption is lifelong, not a single event. I approach families with an awareness that the decisions made today will echo decades into the future. It absolutely [...]
Why did you choose to work for an adoption agency, and specifically AFTH? “I chose to work with AFTH because of our moral and ethical mission and values. Originally, I did not want to work with an adoption agency as I thought they all were there to profit off people… I saw [AFTH] was the intersectionality between an agency and [...]
How do you think AFTH challenges many stereotypes and misconceptions people have about adoption agencies? “AFTH challenges the idea that adoption agencies are transactional or profit-driven by centering relationships and lived experience. Being founded by an adoptee and intentionally employing adoptees as social workers shifts the culture from just a “process” to true perspective. Decisions aren’t just policy-based; they’re informed by people who have lived adoption long after [...]
Adoption agencies are often painted with a broad brush, seen as pro-life, pushing people toward adoption, or focused only on adoptive parents. But like in most situations, assumptions can be misleading, and the nuances of how agencies actually work can get lost. At Adoptions From The Heart, our goal isn’t to convince anyone of anything. [...]
As we settle into National Adoption Month, Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH) aims to educate . This month honors and uplifts anyone touched by adoption in any way. Whether birth parent, adoptive parent, or adoptee, there is always more to learn. This piece focuses on resources for young adoptees to explore this month. For [...]
When Alison found out she was pregnant in 2016, she was in one of the darkest chapters of her life. Deep in the throes of addiction, she was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. As a mother already to her son Brady, born in 2011, she loved being a mom, but addiction had drained her strength [...]
Today marks the anniversary of a legal victory that changed the lives of families across Pennsylvania and we pause in gratitude to remember two extraordinary individuals who made it possible. Joey and Jeff Grego were more than partners, they were steadfast, devoted adoptive parents who built their family through Adoptions From The Heart. Their journey [...]
Even if you know that placing your child for adoption was the right decision, it doesn’t mean that you won't be upset. Even after knowing you picked the parents who will love and care for your baby and that you made the right decision, it can still be difficult. For many Birth Parents it's common [...]
As Adoptions From The Heart celebrates 40 years of service, we want to take a moment to recognize you. Your story is woven into ours and we are deeply honored to have been part of your journey. As we look ahead to the next 40 years, we are reaching out to those who know us [...]
