3 Reasons to Choose a Transracial Adoption in CO
Transracial adoption, otherwise known as interracial or multiracial adoption, is a term that is probably uncommon to most people and may even be uncommon to people actively considering adoption. However, many of us have likely had some experience with transracial adoption, as it is more common than you would think. To put it simply, transracial adoptions are when birth mothers place their child with a family of a different race. In addition, adoption is often considered transracial when the child belongs to a different ethnic group. Transracial adoptions can present great opportunities for everyone involved, including the birth mother, their child, and the adoptive family. Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we aim to provide you with any and all information you may need during your adoption journey. Transracial adoption in CO can be great, and we want you to be familiar with just a few reasons you should consider them.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
1. Ignoring Stereotypes
When people imagine or talk about what a family looks like, in many cases, they ignore the full scope of what a family can be. This is something everyone does because we all have a tendency to imagine what we know. However, there are many families that don’t reflect this standard, conventional image. When choosing a transracial adoption for your child, you are choosing to confront stereotypes. You’re giving your child a beautiful chance at life and broadening people’s image of what a family looks like. There will always be people who look at a transracial, diverse family and judge, but despite this, you can take pride in the fact that you are choosing to do something great for your child while embracing diversity.
2. Sharing Cultures
The increasing diversity in the United States means that different groups of people are now interacting more frequently. Transracial adoptions have the same effect, causing people from different backgrounds to share their cultures. This can be a great opportunity for adoptive families to learn more about their adopted child’s background and make an effort to play an active role in the celebration of their culture. Sharing culture within a transracial adoption can be a special opportunity where everyone truly learns more about one another and acknowledges both the similarities and differences between us.
3. Providing Opportunity
A Colorado adoption, in general, can provide great opportunities for everyone involved. It gives the birth mother the chance to give their child a better life and, with an open adoption specifically, still play a role in their lives, albeit from a distance. Transracial adoptions provide all of the same benefits and a few of their own. For example, in the case of transracial adoption done internationally, many birth mothers come from countries with a surplus of children being placed for adoption. In some cases, this may even make a transracial adoption likely because of the demographics of the United States. As a birth mother looking to place your child up for adoption, understanding the likelihood of a transracial adoption means that you can begin taking a completely holistic perspective on adoption. There are many great people who are ready and willing to be parents, and being open to transracial adoptions just means that there are plenty of prospective adoptive parents for birth mothers to choose from.
Is Transracial Adoption in CO Right For Me And My Child?
First and foremost, nobody can determine if adoption or any specific type of adoption is right for you. This is a beautiful, selfless decision that only you can make as the birth mother. You know what’s best for you and your child, so while many factors can influence your decision, no one can decide for you. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we encourage you to choose an adoptive family after considering the whole picture. You should ask questions like: what type of contact do I want with my child? What values would I like the adoptive parents to have? What kind of life do I want for my child? And if you’re considering transracial adoption specifically, you may ask yourself: What role do I want my culture to play in my child’s life? Considering these questions and being open to all the opportunities for adoption can ensure you choose the right for you and your child. Adoption Choices of Colorado wants to see birth mothers succeed throughout their adoption journey and be able to confidently navigate any challenge the adoption process may throw at them.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Meet the author: David T. Garcia is currently a student at Syracuse University working towards his degree in English with a concentration in film. He is a resident of Northern New Jersey and spends much of his time in New York City, whether it be for business or pleasure. David is looking forward to graduation so he can begin his life and pursue his ambitions. He has dreams of moving out to New York City and working as a young professional in the content writing space while also working on his own screenplays. In his free time, David enjoys spending time with family as well as watching movies and reading books. He has a passion for travel and looks forward to new experiences.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!