Misconceptions About Birth Mothers and Birth Fathers

Misconceptions about birth mothers and birth fathers often sensationalize the real truth and reality behind adoption. The media often portrays the birth mother as an addict or a teen mother. In regards to the birth father, stereotypes often depict him as absent or uninvolved, or even as a rapist. These common misconceptions downplay the reality [...]

Kyle: A Birth Father’s Story

Birth Father’s Story Part 1 My girlfriend and I both grew up in upstate New York. When Jackie decided to move to Pittsburgh to go to school I came with her.  We shared a small efficiency apartment and a one bench truck.  I was working full time while finishing-up school. But after a while, we [...]

Jennifer, Rob and Genevieve’s Story

Jennifer, Rob, and Genevieve When Jennifer and Robert got married, they knew right away that they wanted to start a family. However, they quickly learned that conceiving a child would not be an option for them. After struggling with infertility – Jennifer and Rob decided it was time to begin considering other ways [...]

A Single Adoptive Parent’s Journey

Ever since Jen was young, she knew she wanted to be a mother. The day finally came when a birth mother and a birth father came across her adoptive parent profile and they selected her even as a single mother. Jen had already been waiting a long time, and with the COVID-19 global pandemic, she [...]

How a Birth Mother’s Struggles Led to a Loving Open Adoption

In 2017, Kristen was a 26-year-old single mother living in Delaware. She was struggling to provide not only for herself but her two daughters. Aside from the common struggles that are associated with being a single parent, she woke up each day with an overwhelming dark cloud of depression and a drug addiction she was [...]

The Unheard Voice of A Birth Father: Jimmy’s Adoption Story

When Jimmy became a birth father, he was excited; however, he knew his drug addiction would prevent him from being the birth father he wanted and needed to be.  “Addiction is so self-centered that I knew...I would have never been able to provide for her. My only choice at that time was adoption. I had [...]

Diane’s Journey with Adoptions From The Heart

When most people hear the word adoption, the first thought is for the well- being of the child (as it should be), but what is the next thought??? Well, with the Adoptions From The Heart agency, there is no second thought. Somehow this agency manages to help and offer support to all the people involved [...]

How to Tell Your Child They Were Born From Incest

Adoptive parents may be wondering how to tell their child they were born from incest. Talking to your child about their difficult history can be stressful. While this can be a difficult process, there are ways in which you can support your child.  Statistics About Incest Adoptions Research indicate that between 6% and 26% of [...]

Marilyn Rich’s Monumental Contributions to AFTH and the Adoption Triad

Marilyn Rich is our Central PA District Supervisor and Search Coordinator. As an adoption search coordinator, Marilyn works to reunite long lost family members. Prior to working with AFTH, Marilyn worked in reproductive health care, where she assisted women facing unplanned pregnancies. Marilyn was always familiar with our agency because she often would refer women [...]