tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post7406276955826015188..comments2023-10-08T10:59:48.810-04:00Comments on our story: a blog about open adoption: Monday's MeetingWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13530698884712393184noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-31138872039517677482009-01-18T15:54:00.000-05:002009-01-18T15:54:00.000-05:00Suzanne - They said they aren't sure of why they h...Suzanne - They said they aren't sure of why they haven't had as many b-moms. They think it's possible that more young women are choosing to become single mothers (maybe influenced by actresses and women in the media.) They said that young women who aren't able to find a job and go to school might decide to parent because they feel that's an alternative to working or an education. They think that maybe women aren't thinking of adoption as an option anymore. They really aren't sure. <BR/><BR/>If our agency were to close, we would have to start over with a new agency. Our home study would be okay IF the other agency accepted it; apparently it varies from agency to agency. If we had to start over we would lose any money we've already invested (and time) and we would have to start saving up again. <BR/>I just read an article today in the paper about how the # of children in our schools is down so much. It's because of the economy and the number of families that have moved out of our state. It's no wonder the overall # of bmoms is down if our overall population is down so much, too. It's just such a shame.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530698884712393184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-36006519527046143962009-01-18T00:38:00.000-05:002009-01-18T00:38:00.000-05:00Well, I'm glad for you that the agency is staying ...Well, I'm glad for you that the agency is staying open. It sounds like they're trying to do everything they can to stay afloat. With the crappy economy, you would think that there would be many more pbms. It is slow for many agencies, from what I've heard and read. It doesn't seem to make sense. Hang in there.Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11994892007485220299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-10989227937417197652009-01-17T16:15:00.000-05:002009-01-17T16:15:00.000-05:00Well, it's good news that your agency is holding s...Well, it's good news that your agency is holding steady for now. Did they give a reason for why the number of pregnant women coming to the agency has dropped? It would seem that the economy would have a positive effect on that (i.e. I'm a single mother and just can't afford to keep my baby). <BR/><BR/>If your agency has to close, I'm assuming you would have to start the process all over again with another agency? Did they mention that they would work with another agency so the screening process wouldn't be as intenstive the 2nd time around? It just seems like a shame to have to go through more interviews and home visits when you just did it.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01416602666916380706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-78890706383021570052009-01-17T10:30:00.000-05:002009-01-17T10:30:00.000-05:00Sending good thoughts your way, Wendy. I'm sorry ...Sending good thoughts your way, Wendy. I'm sorry things are so uncertain and stressful right now. I never would have imagined this to be the case right now. I truly hope the fundraising efforts and extra fees help to keep your agency going strong. You and Steve have been through enough heartache already. Many hugs.Lost in Spacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07027117135940864685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-74730185758055843112009-01-16T21:17:00.000-05:002009-01-16T21:17:00.000-05:00Wow, I really hope they stay open. I am crossing m...Wow, I really hope they stay open. I am crossing my fingers for you.Next in Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09161821079608326520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-34088619368281079472009-01-15T21:12:00.000-05:002009-01-15T21:12:00.000-05:00I know - I had thought that, given the economy, ma...I know - I had thought that, given the economy, maybe more women would choose adoption. <BR/><BR/>I hadn't thought about fewer families being able to afford to adopt and how that would affect agencies.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530698884712393184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-84593102254799636422009-01-15T20:28:00.000-05:002009-01-15T20:28:00.000-05:00I had no idea that adoption agencies were being af...I had no idea that adoption agencies were being affected this way. I'm sorry it wasn't better news, but I'm glad it wasn't the worst case scenario. I hate that you would lose money if they close. It just doesn't seem right. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out, ideally with a quick match for you.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06863024013721266313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-27540902595902193072009-01-15T20:18:00.000-05:002009-01-15T20:18:00.000-05:00Wow - I would have never thought that the economy ...Wow - I would have never thought that the economy would have such an effect on adoption. I am glad you are keeping your positive attitude.Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14683127027917195775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-60596937007031933832009-01-15T18:03:00.000-05:002009-01-15T18:03:00.000-05:00Erica and Erin - To answer your question, there re...Erica and Erin - To answer your question, there really is no contingency plan. If they do not raise enough money, they will need to close. Any adoptions that are currently in-process would need to be handled by another agency. Anyone not yet matched would lose any money that had already invested. Thanks for mentioning the magazine article. I still have to buy the issue - we only have a few of the bigger bookstores int he area that carry it, and I haven't been to one yet!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530698884712393184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-62915308184191805852009-01-15T11:42:00.000-05:002009-01-15T11:42:00.000-05:00Geeze Wendy. Nothing's easy, is it? I guess it's g...Geeze Wendy. Nothing's easy, is it? I guess it's good to be aware of what's going on, but I do agree with Erica: ask about the contigency plan. I'm guessing you're right that most agencies are in tough straits right now. Scary to think how much more damage this economy will face. I'm still confident that you're doing the right thing. This journey will end happily because you guys are tough, tough, tough. Survivors.<BR/><BR/>Stay positive!<BR/>ErinMRS. ERIN SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18096636319670761899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-62035195844226380142009-01-15T00:09:00.000-05:002009-01-15T00:09:00.000-05:00I'm glad that they aren't shutting down. You migh ...I'm glad that they aren't shutting down. You migh have mentioned it before, but what agency are you using? <BR/><BR/>So, if they aren't able to gather the funds through the fundraisers and only a few families are on board for the raised fees...what then? Will they refund your money? If it were me, I would be curious as to what their contigency plans were before I gave them more money. And have you talked with other agencies to see if they are also having problems? I don't know if you saw my other comment but there is an article in Adoption Family magazine on this that is really informative. <BR/><BR/>I can only imagine how frustrating this must be. I'm really sorry. Keep us posted.Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14367869589191981037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326955301275353097.post-60545150420787819692009-01-15T00:02:00.000-05:002009-01-15T00:02:00.000-05:00Wow. Well that does make sense - and I too am glad...Wow. Well that does make sense - and I too am glad it doesn't mean that they are shutting their doors. But man, who knew the adoption "industry" (sorry to call it that) would have also been affected by this economy ... I never would have thought it would have been that far reaching!Polly Gamwichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09338430066217324064noreply@blogger.com