Transracial Families in Colorado Adoption
Family is properly defined as one or more parents and their children living together under the same roof. However, that is not all that makes a family. You can be blood-related to someone and not even know they exist, so how can they be defined as our family? Family is so much more than just the people you live with or where you came from. A family is people who you go to for warmth or comfort. People you seek advice from and are certain will never judge you. Families can come in all shapes and sizes, and even colors. You do not have to be blood-related to someone for them to be considered family. Transracial families in Colorado are a prime example of that.
When it comes to adoption, it is a selfless decision made on the birth mother’s part to place a baby for adoption and give her child the life they deserve. She is giving a wonderful adoptive family a beautiful gift and is allowing them to complete their family. It should not matter who adopts your child, but Adoption Choices of Colorado understands that some people have preferences. Just know that any adoptive family has been screened and deemed suitable to give your child the best life possible. Your child will know love like no other and grow up in a supportive and stable household.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
What Does it Mean to Be Apart of a Transracial Family?
Transracial adoption means that a child is adopted into a family of a different race or ethnic background than their own. It does not mean that your child will receive any less attention or love. On the contrary, they will grow up loving and fulfilling lives. They might even flourish more than kids not adopted into a transracial family. Your child has the opportunity to experience a different culture and a different way of life. What is most beautiful about transracial adoption are the paths it leads you to, such as multiple identities, any open-minded personality, and a strong will. We cannot lie that there are stigmas revolving around transracial adoption, and there might be people that judge you, but it is their hateful personality and nothing to do with your child or their family. However, increasing transracial adoption can shatter those stigmas and normalize that there is no such thing as a picture-perfect family. Family is who you surround yourself with and who makes you feel loved. It should have nothing to do with race or ethnicity.
Examples of Transracial Families
Transracial families come in all different ways. For example, there could be a set of African American parents who adopt a white child or a set of white parents that adopt an African American child. But also those African American parents or that child could be Mexican, Asian, or American Indian. There is no one way to describe what a transracial family looks or should look like. As long as you are happy with the adoptive family you choose and are confident they can give your child the best life possible, that is all that matters. No matter what, your child will be loved, they will prosper, and they will grow up strong.
It has been tested that transracial families are stronger than your average picture-perfect family. The reason behind that observation is that transracial families are aware they are different and realize that others around them might be judging. So, they stand together and stronger than ever and teach their children at a young age to be proud of who they are and where they come from. We are not trying to persuade you or tell you what to do with your Denver adoption, but we will give you all the information necessary to make your decision. Transracial adoption is always an option, and it is a good option.
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: Gabriella Dobson was born and raised in Ohio. She is currently a senior at Miami University majoring in professional writing with a focus on editing. She also minors in criminology and general business. She is a skilled barista and enjoys sipping her coffee with a good book in her hand. She is passionate about helping others and making a difference in the lives around her. With her involvement in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Women Helping Women, she is able to provide resources for those in need of support.
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!