We can’t thank you enough for your kindness and support throughout this process. We appreciate so much everything you have done to assist us through this difficult choice. Again, thank you.

Adoption STAR’s Senior Birth Family Caseworker, Sue Shaw, talks about the various ways that adoption has been a part of her personal and professional life:

I recently read that 6 out of 20 Americans are touched by adoption. I started thinking about how I have been touched by adoption before I started working in the field.

I remember being very young and knowing that my cousins were adopted. It was never really talked about, but it wasn’t a secret either. As far as I was concerned, my aunt and uncle were their parents and my cousins were my cousins and that was that.

When I was in grade school, my mother’s best friend was going through the process of adopting a child out of the foster care system. I remember her looking through the infamous “blue books” full of children that were waiting to be adopted. When we would go over to visit with her, we would look through the books, too.

When I was looking through the books as a young child, I remember thinking it was as if I was shopping in a catalog for a new friend. I also remember being told that these children’s parents were not able to take care of them and that they all needed a new mommy and daddy. As an adult, I now understand the magnitude of those “blue books” and hope that all the children in care ultimately find their forever families. (Today those books don’t exist, and many of the waiting older children are photo-listed online.)

In my late teens I learned a friend of mine was adopted. One day, my friend told me that she and her family were going to begin the search for her birth parents. I was thrilled by the idea and wanted to help in any way that I could. My friend made it clear that she did not want my help, and at the time I remember feeling hurt that she did not want to include me in the process. All these years later, I realize that this was something that my friend and her family needed to do themselves. It was their story and it was private.

When I was young, I never thought I’d wind up becoming an adoption caseworker. At that time, my dream was to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live! That never happened (obviously), but I do love being touched by adoption on a daily basis. I would not have it any other way.

I’m glad that I accepted a position in the adoption field. And I am forever grateful that I was wise enough to join Adoption STAR in 2006. I have found Adoption STAR to truly be an organization that cares about its employees, its clients and is always striving to be an agency that learns and changes for the best interest of children and their birth and adoptive families.

Making an adoption plan through Adoption STAR was very hard – but my worker was very helpful. She made sure I wasn’t down. It was a pleasure to meet my daughter’s adoptive parents. It was hard for me and still is… but overall I’m glad to have made a new family, and have a connection with my daughter’s family.

In the fifth month of my pregnancy my doctors told me my baby would be born with a birth defect. I was devastated. My family turned their backs on me, and my boyfriend was not supportive. No one was there for me to turn to. As much as I wanted to, I knew I could not raise this baby alone. The doctors and social workers counseled me on the type of care a child with hydrocephalus would need. I knew I couldn’t take care of the baby. I chose the best option I could – adoption. I had to find an agency that specialized in children with special needs. My social worker at the hospital told me about Adoption STAR. The staff was wonderful. I was confused and upset about placing my baby but they were sensitive to my needs. They treated me like I was their only client.

When I had my child at age 17, no one ever mentioned any options other than staying pregnant and keeping the baby. When my son turned one I actually asked my mom about adoption but she asked how I could even think of doing that. I guess she is afraid of what people might think. I think it would be better for my son to have two adult parents.

I gave birth to a little boy. I knew I was placing him for adoption but I never spoke with anyone before he was born. I called Adoption STAR after I gave birth. At no time did I feel pressured or disrespected for making this decision. The social worker explained everything to me before signing the papers. She even arranged for me to meet the baby’s parents. Though they don’t think so, they are the perfect couple. It was as if I knew them,
I felt so comfortable. I love his family and I love this agency.

I feel that having worked with Adoption STAR was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I don’t think that any other agency would have seemed so concerned with every small detail, and what I preferred. The staff was very helpful throughout my entire pregnancy, birth and adoption. They were very concerned about my privacy and wishes. If I ever was in the same situation again, I would probably notify Adoption STAR about my pregnancy before my parents, because I’m sure that the staff would make it easier to tell other people including my parents about my situation. I felt that the people I worked with at Adoption STAR became a part of my family when I needed people who understood the most.

I was adopted as a baby. I love Adoption STAR because they gave me a family! I love Adoption STAR’s family picnics because I get to see and meet all the other kids who are adopted like me. I am also very proud to say that I was one of the first babies adopted through Adoption STAR and I think that is AWESOME!! Adoption STAR ROCKS!!!

Adoption STAR’s mission is to offer the community an agency that is dedicated to excellence. I believe that they will strive to offer comprehensive educational and counseling services to adoptive families, birth families and adoptees. I strongly support them in this effort.

Adoption STAR will allow families seeking to adopt the opportunities to receive assistance for this difficult task.