Catholic Charities In the News
Adoption program opens to new applications
November 8, 2008 - The Clarion Herald
In recognition of National Adoption Awareness month, Catholic Charities will begin sending out questionnaires in November to those interested in being considered for the domestic adoption program. Calls and e-mail inquiries will be accepted through Dec. 31.
“This is such an exciting time for those interested in growing their families through adoption,” said Danna Cousins, director of the Adoption Services of Catholic Charities. “We can’t wait to begin this journey with them.”
After years of infertility, surgeries and multiple miscarriages, Rona and Chance White had one child and had no idea what was to come for their family. In one year, they were to enter the adoption program of Catholic Charities and add not one baby to their family through adoption, but two.
“Everything we had been through, all of the heartbreaks of infertility, all made sense now,” Rona said. “We knew that Ava and Ella were meant to be part of our family, and we felt so blessed.”
Big brother Ian welcomed his twin sisters home in July with open arms. The Whites have had three visits with the birth parents since the babies’ births. As with any relationship, this open adoption takes constant work and a lot of respect.
“We admire Ava and Ella’s birth parents more with each visit,” Chance said. “I knew after that first meeting that Rona and I would be humbled and honored to have them in our lives forever.”
The domestic adoption list is typically opened once a year. Families offered formal applications will attend educational classes and receive support and legal assistance to guide them throughout the adoption process. Prospective adoptive parents should be married a minimum of three years and be between the ages of 27 and 45, with no more than two children.
The adoption program also offers local support services to families adopting internationally.
For more information, please contact Danna Cousins at (504) 885-1141 or dcousins@archdiocese-no.org.
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