Before you skim over this post and discard it, I highly encourage you to read it in its entirety. I know free time is rare and precious, but so is the work that we do.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to you for being a part of our wonderful Adoptions of Indiana community. As you know it’s much more than a community; it’s a family. Our mission and vision are simple and true- to provide invaluable services to birth and adoptive families throughout the adoptive life cycle.
Over the past 21 years, we have helped over 2,500 families through home studies, birth parent counseling, and placements. That means Adoptions of Indiana has touched over 10,000 lives in some way and has made a lasting impact. Knowing this fills our hearts and fuels our work—and we rely on the generosity of others to make each day possible.
You are probably familiar with our counseling and placement services, but you may not know that we also take on the difficult cases. Did you know that our organization aids in the placement of special needs children? Donations are crucial in making this possible. We strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that families can focus on preparing their home or adding support services instead of paying fees for our services. Your partnership helps children with high needs find the right home with parents and a community who are ready for them.
We also assist with services to women while they are reviewing their options to choose to parent or to make an adoption plan. All services are at no cost to expectant women or parents. We often will help them as they make plans to parent by assisting them in gaining family and community support. In addition, this year alone we supported three women who experienced miscarriages. On one occasion, Amy stayed with a young woman for three days in the hospital while she was in crisis wondering if the pregnancy could be saved or if there was no hope. It was an impossibly difficult time and Amy was her major support because her family blamed her inappropriately. Our services continue through the grief process, still at no cost to her. We can provide this service because of your generosity and partnership.
As we close out another year, we reflect on the people we have encountered through our work and we are thankful to be a part of their lives. The reason we are able to help so many is because of your partnership and the commitment and dedication of our staff. Money is never an object or a reason to refuse service and we will never ask a birth mother pay for services. We have been able to make an impact from the generosity of your donations.
Last year we raised just over $12,000 for our end of year campaign. This year we know we can do better! Our goal is to raise $15,000. On a daily basis we watch every dollar we spend and many times it boils down to cents to make things happen. By digging into your pockets and making a donation to Adoptions of Indiana you are making the impossible, possible.
Here’s a few examples of what a donation big or small can do for our families:
- $25 helps a pregnant woman get to her doctor’s appointments
- $50 provides one week of groceries for a pregnant woman in need
- $100 provides adoption options counseling for a woman or couple facing an unexpected pregnancy
- $200 allows a child or adolescent adoptee to participate in the Adoption Connection Club or Equipped & Empowered
- $250 provides an honorary sponsorship for the annual Birth Mother Celebration
- $300 provides for the cost of one month of our monthly free Birth Parent Network support group
- $500 provides for nursing, clinic, and medical staff to receive adoption education to support expectant parents considering adoption as well as adoptive families
- $1,000 provides for a homeless, pregnant woman to have a safe place to stay during her pregnancy
- $2,500 provides for recruitment of prospective adoptive families for the South Africa program
- $5,000 provides for a child with special needs to find a loving permanent family
As we approach the holiday season, a season of giving, we ask you to please consider giving to our organization. We are also asking you to take your generosity a step further and talk to a friend or family member about our organization and the work we do. It won’t take long for them to see how special our family is, and they will know that their contribution truly makes a direct impact on our community. A simple conversation can spark the fire for making an impact. Many employers match your tax-deductable donation, which doubles your impact!
To contribute and help us reach our goal, please donate online at https://adoptionsofindiana.networkforgood.com
Visit our home page for a live update on our fundraising goal.
Have a blessed Christmas and holiday season!
Best wishes in the New Year,
Meg Sterchi, ACSW, LCSW
Executive Director,
Adoptions of Indiana