[james1969]

I am an adoptee in search of my birthmom. The adoption was through VOA. I was born Sept. 1969. I noticed that a previous email said VOA in Shreveport burned down at one point. Which year did that happen? Also does anyone know of anyone staying there during Sept 1969 that may be able to help? I do not know my surname. Thanks James

[JMArsement]

I am also ISO of a hospital in Shreveport where my father was born in April 1959.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[stlukes]

Has anyone ever heard of a Major Rice (a woman, I think) who may have had some connection with Volunteers of America (VOA) in Shreveport as well as the VOA Maternity Home in Jacksonville?

I was born 12-14-56 in Jacksonville. Major Rice was a contact person with whom my adoptive parents delt at the Jacksonville home. Major Rice had a friend or acquaintance in Shreveport, a Mrs. Williamson, the mother of the Rev. James Philson Williamson, an Episcopal minister in the Diocese of Louisiana.

[Traveling]

Hey. I just joined this forum and I'm not yet very good at navigating through it. So, your question may have already been answered by someone else. I was born in Shreveport in the Summer of 1972 and was adopted through VOA. Last year I found my birthmom (after a long search). I put many facts together by asking her and the staff at VOA questions about the VOA home, etc. and this is what I can summarize: In 1972 there was the VOA home and offices that were next door to it. This is where the moms stayed while at the home (prior to giving birth). Many of the girls didn't even know the name of the home that they were staying at (this was the case with my birthmom), they just called it the home for unwed mothers. At some point in time, the home was closed and VOA offices moved to another location in Shreveport. When I went to get my non-identifying information in 1990, their offices were in another building-a "high rise" office building. They have since relocated their offices to the old home where the moms lived. I believe their address is 360 Jordan Street (but I'm not certain). I have trip planned in July to go back there, so I can probably tell you more about it at that time.

Also, someone else asked in another posting about a Major Rice. I don't know about her, but I do know when I was adopted, a lady by the name of Colonel Parks pretty much ran the place.

If you (or anyone else) have other questions, please feel free to email me or post a message here.
Take care!

[chatta]

hi I was in that home in 1978 ....it sounds like you have all the facts straight.....But what do you think you will find by going to the home ?? Im looking for my birth child ( girl) and I dont think you will find out much but good luck anyway ...

[Traveling]

Thanks for your response. I'm not really "looking" for anything at the home. As I stated in my posting, I found my birthmom (with the help of a private investigator) last year. We have since reunited and are building a relationship. I agreed to go to the home with her this Summer as part of her healing process. As a birthmom you probably know, the wounds caused by this "dirty little secret" can last a lifetime. My birthmom was very young when she gave birth to me (14) and was told to never speak of me. The pain that she must have gone through for the past 30 years of not knowing where I was, how I turned out, if I lived, etc. is unimaginable. The other reason that I want to go to the home is my own personal curiosity of where my life started.

I have some questions for you, if you don't mind-As a birthmom, how much information were you given (in '78) about your child and what will they give you now? Have you been back to the home (as an adult)? Do you have any advice that you can give me and my birthmom about going back to the home? I'm sure you've registered with the LA registry? Are you active in the Louisiana Adoption Advocates?
Take care.

[chatta]

Funny How much i needed to talk about this ..... I have never been ask by someone who is really close to the subject...so it is nice . Thanks ....I can remember going to my first interview at the office on Jordon street. I had to interview telling all the facts about Who I was ....Who the father was....Why I was doing this etc.....It was a big bore to me because I thought ....." I already know what Im gonna do"..But to keep from being told " we dont want your baby or you here" I went along with the process. I just remember thinking " Gawd I hope they let me enter this program"!They took my information and told me they would call if there was a place for me in " the home".I think there was 9 girls but they could take more if the need was really bad. In my case it was ...later I realized they did this for money soooooo of course they were gonna take me ... I was gonna make them lots of money. Between the state money and the fees for adopting they could make about 10 grand off me..Well about a week later they called my mothers home to tell me I could pack my bags and come check in..When I got there of course I was introduced to everyone. Funny I could tell right off who Hated me and who liked me... Man some of the girls were 14 years old I was 25. A lot of the girls were unhappy that I was there ...I think I gave off a bad vibe ...I was told who my roomate was going to be and where my room was ...As soon as I got into my room slowly the other girls came into the room to " Tell me there storys". I couldnt tell mine ...It would have scared them ..I didnt care about there storys anyway ...I cried that night in bed ....I felt like I had just gone to prison.

[chatta]

I was told my baby was 6.5 lbs and 21 inches long ...all ten toes but thats all....I walked down to the veiwing window after I gave birth ( the next day) and took a look ....She Really was the prettiest baby there. The nurse was rocking her but the nurse looked mean to me ...She saw me watching her and after a min. or two closed the curtian so I couldnt see. I was booted out of the hospital pretty fast ...All the girls at the house ask " what was it a boy or girl" How silly.....I remember asking " when will I sign her over to the state" 10 days I was told...I was so nervous about crying when I signed the papers I told them I didnt want to see her before I signed ...They would have let me hold her but I just couldnt.....I had a COLD COLD heart.Sure enough in 9 days the lawyer made a appointment and I was told to be ready to go the the offices ( next door) to sign and make things legal. I was called by the case worker and told to come on over ....she tried to sound happy...I was in a blur like a walking zombie..I took that long walk and almost couldnt I was so nervous. I ask the front desk which office to go to ....I was told the door to the right ...When I got into the office everyone seemed to busy to look up at me..Finally I was introduced to the lawyer ( I hated him already) He tried to do a little bit of chatting to loosen things up ....I wasnt in the mood.We got down to business ...I could hear my baby crying in the next room ....a place they hold the babys in till the New parents show up.I was just hoping so much that I wouldnt cry thats all I wanted ...Just get me outta here and get this over with .The lawyer read some things I didnt even hear him ...I was ask to sign ...ask if I wanted to see my baby ....and got a witness from the other office to confirm the legal paper stuff...Then I was told "THATS IT" I got up again like a zombie turned and left....went back to my bedroom and sat...no feelings no nothing....

[southerncomfort]

I to was a birthmother in the Voa hme on Jordan street,, Yes the address is 360 Jordan. I wa there from jan-may 1986. A very wonderful lady named Opal was the house mother when I was there. I too heard that the offices moved into the house. I have not been back there physically since I left. I have called a few times years ago. Never got any real information except that they would put in my file that I wanted to hear from the adopted parents.

I would love to find my son. Even if only to know he is ok. I was only 16. A very young scared expectant girl. My mother could not see me doing anything more than adoption. That was the only answer for her. And we were never to speak of it again. However , that did not stop me from thinking about it every day of my life since.

I wish everyone luck and prayers in their searches or whatever it is they are looking for.

If anyone has any helpful information I would greatly appreciate it. My son was born May 18, 1986 at Willis Knighton .( then it was the only one in shreveport) I was given information on his weight and sex at birth. I was able to see him the morning I had to sign papers for about 3 m inutes.. I jsut held him and promised him everything would be ok. I knew nothing of where he went .. I did hear from the adoptiveparents for awhile by lettters.. But they stopped in 1995. I treasure those letters.

Thanks for listening... I really must have needed to talk.,. Thanks

[Traveling]

Chatta,
Thanks so much for your "raw" honesty. I'm sure it is difficult for you to write about these emotions, as well as re-live them today. I think through the process of birthmoms sharing their experiences and adoptees hearing of their experiences, it results in healing on both sides. I greatly appreciate you sharing your experiences and emotions.
Traveling

[Traveling]

Chatta and Southerncomfort,
I went back to the VOA home last week with my birthmom. WOW-what an amazing experience for both of us. She had not been there since giving birth to me and I had never been there. We toured the home and my birthmom told stories about her experiences there. She was 14 at the time and that was 32 years ago. The weekend was an amazing healing journey for both of us. If you have not been back to the home, I strongly suggest it. I know that reliving those experiences can be painful. However, just facing it starts the healing.

We talked with a really nice lady by the name of Pat Atkins. She is truly a kind, gentle, and supportive person who I am fortunate to know.

Southerncomfort,
I saw where they renamed the house in honor of Opal (I can't remember her last name). Apparently she has since passed away. I believe that I read where she was there from 1972-1992.

If anyone else has any other questions, please feel free to post them and I will try to respond.
Best wishes to each of you as you go through this journey that we call life,
Traveling

[rfontenot]

I recently just started my search for my birth family. I actually just left a message for Pat Atkins there at the Center, so hopefully I will have a reunion pretty quick here.

[Traveling]

Pat is an incredibly nice person and I'm sure that she will help you by providing all that she can legally provide. However, don't get discouraged. It took me many years to find my birthmom and I was only able to do it with the help of a private investigator. You are definitely starting at the right point (with VOA). If your birthmom has made contact with them, then they can help with your reunion. If you hit a dead-end, private email me. Also, be sure that you have joined the state registry. Good luck and best wishes.

[southerncomfort]

Thank you Traveling. I have spoke with Pat Atkins a few times in the past. Sheis a wonderful woman. I now have the curiosity to go back to the home. I am glad that things ahve worked out for you.

To get ont he registry doesn't the child have to be 21?? i am not sure on these details.. Also not sure as too how to get on. If you culd help me out there.

As hard as the situation was at the home, I did have some equally fun times with the other girls.. Late night talks, stories. They are there for the same reason that everyone else is. No judging.

Best wishes to everyone.

[Traveling]

The adoptee only has to be 18. You can contact the LA Adoption Registry and request a registration packet at their toll free number 1-800-259-2456. You will most likely have to leave a message, but do so because they have always returned my calls. You can also read their website information at:
http://www.dss.state.la.us/departmen.../Registry.html
The website states that you have to complete a form, have it notartized, send a $25 fee and have a social worker complete a form. I joined the registry almost two years ago and the social worker form was ONLY required if a match is made. It is my understanding that is still the case. Please email me if you have any other questions. Although I'm on the other side of the equation (as an adoptee), I can somewhat understand the pain of wondering if someone is OK, how they are doing, etc. I had to deal with this wondering for years and finally last year my prayers were answered. It has been (and continues to be) an amazing journey. Best wishes!