[brighteyesk9]

My husband and I are new to the adoption process. We have been reading everything we can get our hands on. We are doing fundraisers to help offset the cost of adoption. Does anyone know the easiest method for financial assistance? Any information is greatly appreciated.

[tobeafamily]

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, is it suggestions for ways to gather funds for adoption related fees & costs?

If so, here are some things we did:

1. Reviewed our budget and cut a few 'extras' like trips on vacation and eating at expensive restaurants. We carried our lunches too. We still did lots of stuff, just ate at less expensive restaurants ane were more choosy about where we went. This allowed us to set aside about $600 per month.

2. Asked friends and family for contributions to our 'baby fund' in lieu of gifts at Christmas and our birthdays. This was very well received, people gave us 'contributions' just because too.

3. Had a few garage sales and told everyone we were raising funds for an adoption. We got lots of 'keep the change' and a few outright donations from people.

4. We didn't do this, but we've heard of others who had parties with companies like Homemade Gourmet, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Party Lite, etc. and asked the distributor to give some or all of the proceeds to the fund.

Hope this helps.

Regina, Amom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[brighteyesk9]

We have been told by our places of work that we can not sell fundraising products at work because it is for personal gain. I have contacted Walmart and they said that I can not sell items in front of their store because it is for personal gain. I understand what you are saying about cutting back on our spending but I have to admit we don't spend alot of money. We don't eat out, or go to movies, we don't have cable or any pay tv. We live very simple lives with our animals and put alot of time in spending with the animals. We are trying to raise money right now just to pay for the home study. I even checked into opening a charity but the fee for registering a charity is $500.00. We are now discussing our fundraising ideas with our church and hopefully we will be able to some of the fundraising through the church. We want to apply for grants but we have to at least have the home study started. We are open to any suggestions and they are greatly appreciated.

[bumpkin]

Many companies will help defray the cost of adoptions. I know Wendy's, AIG, and some banks. I wonder if you were to get part time jobs if this would apply to you. The cost is outrageous, we sold our first house for the money for our first adoption and refinanced our current house for the money for the 2nd adoption which we are in now hoping to be matched soon. Good luck and I applaud your creativity. Many people around you want to help but don't know exactly how to. The garage sale is another great idea.
Best, V

[brighteyesk9]

We both currently have full time jobs and we have recently opened a small business from our home. I wonder sometimes how we find the time for any activies other than work. But we are not complaining because we know that our hard work today will benefit us in being able to spend time with our child later on.

[karabur]

I know that I am very blessed. My dh makes enough to cover the bills . We are not rich infact we are enlisted military. Anyway we are living a low cost but enjoyable lifestyle. I have two seasonal mall jobs that most of the money goes on debt. After we finish paying off debt than we are going to go saving crazy. We have paid off two credit cards so far and have cut a third in half. I will look for a regular 9 to 5 job after christmas but I am happy at the mall for now. It is very hard waiting. We may have to wait over two years but it is worth the wait.

We plan on opening a money market account soon.

We are also going to do a yard sale in the spring.


Kara
Saving for Caleb
Vietnam

[Dee1234]

Defiinitely check with your employer to see if they offer adoption assistance.

Also, if you are open to adopting an older child from the foster care system, there are very little costs involved.

Good luck,
Dee

[brighteyesk9]

I am 42 years old and some adoption agencies are looking at my age when I call to ask about their program. I have had 3 miscarriages (spelling?) and recently had to have a hysterectomy and now I have no chance of having my own children. My husband is 30 and the only way we see of ever having a child is to adopt. We have looked at our state agency, especially since I work with the state. The only help I can get is with special needs children. All the state has are children are 8 years or older, mental or physical handicaps. We are really hoping to adopt an infant. I am really depressed about it today because we are running into dead ends every way we turn. I would like to at least raise $500.00 because I want to open a non-profit charity that will assist adoptive parents, especially with their home study. This is where this has led me to. I want to run into the streets announcing how wrong I think it all is. The fees are horrible.
My husband is a Deputy and I work with corrections and all we see is bad people all day. We live very private lives because of jobs. The reason I am saying this, is to help everyone that reads this to know a little more about us.
Does anyone know of or heard of any type of assistance that will help with the home study. I applied for a loan through the National Adoption Foundation's website and my local bank called me and said that the interest rate would be 30%. I just hope that we can keep our chins up. Thank everyone for their replies, ideas and comments. Keep us in your prayers.

[Dee1234]

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time. I too have suffered miscarriages, so I understand the pain involved.

If you really want an infant, international adoption does not have strict age requirements (although it is pretty expensive). You could also try becoming a foster parent and specifying that you only want infants. If the child becomes available for adoption, you will be considered before others. I know this could be difficult also, though, because the child may be reunited with his/her birth parents and that loss would also be very hard.

As far as your original question about financing, our agency also made these suggestions:

1) home equity loan (if you own a home)
2) grants, such as Adopt Share, JSW Adoption Foundation, etc.
3) adoption loans through various organizations. Our agency said A Child Waits Foundation offers a 7 percent interest rate.
4) military subsidies

Hope this helps.

Good luck to you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Dee

[Sarah0518]

I started working 2 days a week YEARS ago as a waitress. It allowed us to get my husband out of a job he was absolutely miserable with and put him back in college. He's MUCH happier now, believe me. Afterward, I decided to keep the job a bit longer and put the money away for starting a family. Once we dedicated ourselves to an adoption plan it has come in handy.

I work on Fridays, after getting off from my full-time office job, and Saturday nights. Friday and Saturday seem to be the better money making nights, and also the hardest to staff since it requires twice the staffing most the other nights do. I can make as much in those 2 nights as several of my cowokers have made working part-time at department stores a few hours 4 nights a week. Having ready cash at the end of each shift vs waiting for a paycheck can also be a plus, so long as you have the self control to deposit it each week vs letting it burn a hole in your pocket until spent.

Not all restaurants are going to be flexible in allowing a set schedule like that, but look around and you'll find one that is. Be prepared to be flexible the first several weeks, because you are going to have to be trained. Something that can't conveniently be done on a fixed two day a week schedule. Friday and Saturdays are often too busy for teaching someone properly. In addition, they may have certain "mandatory" days all staffare required to work. For example: I know my restaurant expects me to work Mothers Day, Valentines, and New Year's Eve each year.

I realize this solution may not be for everyone, but I've come to think of my coworkers, the family I work for, and many of my regulars as my extended family. There are times working those two days get in the way of my personal life, but there are also days I look forward to going. They know I'm trying to adopt and once I do will no longer be able to work there. Coworker and management both have been very supportive of it.
From an adoption standpoint it also gives me that many more people to network with. No leads through that avenue yet,but that doesn't mean there may not be..... God does work in mysterious ways.....