Families Supporting Adoption: August 2010

Thursday, August 19, 2010

2010 Friends of Adoption Award Winner: Loralee Freeman

FSA International Board Co-Chair Val Hochheiser presents the Friends of Adoption Award to Doug Gardner who accepts it in behalf of Loralee Freeman.

Loralee Freeman has been a licensed foster mother through the Michigan Agency since December 1999. Since that time, she has cared for over 50 infants until they could be placed with their forever family. She provides such loving care for these special children. Additionally, she is a parent of five adopted children. She has always been committed to adoption and has a great love for children. The Agency can always count on her to accept a foster placement when it is needed. The service she renders blesses the lives of the birth parents, adoptive couples, and the child.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

2010 Friends of Adoption Award Winner: Sherrie Bass

FSA International Board Co-Chair Phil Hochheiser presents the Friends of Adoption Award to Jean Earhart who accepts it in behalf of Sherrie Bass.

Sherrie coordinates the birth parent volunteer program for LDS Family Services in North and South Carolina. Sherrie oversees and organizes over 20 birth parent volunteers in two states. She single-handedly supervises and trains all the volunteers. She conducts monthly birth parent volunteer meetings and is there to help and support the volunteers. Sherrie plans and coordinates the agency's semi-annual volunteer trainings in both Raleigh and Charlotte, NC. She also attends weekly staff meetings to update case work performed by the volunteers and makes follow up phone calls. Sherrie is an active FSA member and supports her local chapter by her participation and membership. She loves to work with couples who are new to adoption and help them through their adoptive journey. She and her husband, Mike are the adoptive parents to 4 beautiful children.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

2010 Friends of Adoption Award Winner: Virginia Arnold

Jon Pingree introduces Friends of Adoption Award Winner, Virginia Arnold.

Virgina has been the group facilitator for the Boise, ID birth mom support group for over five years. She is often the person that connects to birth parents enough to get them to meet with a caseworker and discuss options for their children. She has an amazing ability to establish rapport and has been a positive influence. Virginia has assisted other offices in starting birth parent groups, including traveling to teach other facilitators how to conduct groups. She has led many presentations on birth parents in the community. She assists in holding an annual birth mom appreciation dinner. Virginia runs the 1-800 phone service 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people who want to talk about an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. Virginia was one of the first stake representatives to present services that LDS Family Services offers to stakes, and has also trained other stake representatives. Virginia recently attended a house hearing to advocate for protecting Idaho law and the birth father registry. Virginia is a birth parent herself, and shares her experience and love of birth moms with others. Virginia has literally spent countless hours promoting adoption, and has done it all as a volunteer.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

2010 Friends of Adoption Award Winner: Mark & Elizabeth Pierce

FSA International Board Co-Chairs Phil & Val Hochheiser (left) presented the Friends of Adoption Awards. John Hill accepts the awards on behalf of Mark and Elizabeth Pierce.

Mark and Elizabeth Pierce have adopted 2 children from LDS Family Services. For 5 years, Mark and Elizabeth served on the Utah Adoption Council (UAC); Mark served on the Education Committee while Elizabeth served on the Legislative Committee. This was a rewarding experience that developed their networking capabilities and polished their leadership skills. From the beginning of their application process, Mark and Elizabeth were active volunteers with the LDS Family Services, Families Supporting Adoption, Farmington Chapter. Mark and Elizabeth also served as Co-Chairs. During this time, they gave direction to the other board members and assisted in their responsibilities. Currently, Elizabeth is serving as Farmington's Volunteer Coordinator. "I have found my place," suggest Elizabeth. She loves meeting with stake volunteers, giving presentation to groups, and working with her advisor to plan future goals. Also during this time, Mark and Elizabeth have received 7 birth mothers in foster care for the agency.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

2010 Hall of Fame Award Winner: Gladney Center for Adoption

Steve Sunday, Group Manager for Children Services for LDS Family Services presents Frank Garrott, President and CEO of Gladney Center for Adoption with the Hall of Fame Award.

The Gladney Center for Adoption is committed to providing loving homes for children; a caring environment for birth parents; supportive services for Gladney families and adoptees; and assistance to orphans and underserved children throughout the world.