[heidim]

I am researching out-of-the-ordinary ways that adoptive families reached out to expectant parents considering adoption and where a successful adoption plan resulted. I am especially interested in families who found their birth parents without the help of an agency or attorney. This may have happened through word of mouth, printed materials or the Internet. I will use these stories to develop a workshop that encourages families to get creative with outreach. Any help you can offer will be most appreciated.

[filswife]

wow... no one replied to this? Now I feel odd! I can share highlights of our story with you... it's not complete yet. ANyway, my dh and I were going through the motions of becoming fost/adopt parents with the state. Our classes are complete OUr homestudy was ALMOST complete when I got a call from our church priest. We had asked him to write a letter of reference for us for the application. He was writing it up for us one day when a couple walked into to talk to him. They were unmarried and pregnant and wanting to know if he knew of any couples looking to adopt or if he knew of any agnecies affiliated with the church. He nearly fell off his chair! He mentioned us (no names). He called me, we agreed to look into this and we met the birth parents last week. Baby is due in July. We have been chosen. We obviously have to pay for the legal paperwork and I believe for birthparents counseling but thats it! We are excited. Make sure you tell potential parents to keep their hearts and minds open and to expect the unexpected!