Adopting a child is a life-changing experience, and for Andrew and Hannah, their journey to adopt Matthew from Colombia was filled with hope, patience, and perseverance. After raising four biological children, they felt the calling to expand their family through adoption. They chose international adoption, and Colombia stood out as the right fit for them.
The latest episode of YOU GO MISS O, hosted by Miss Oklahoma 2024, Lauren Frost, dives deep into adoption advocacy and education with a very special guest: Mark Melson, the CEO of The Gladney Center for Adoption. This conversation is part of a mini-series highlighting adoption stories from various perspectives throughout Lauren’s year of service as Miss Oklahoma.
On September 5, 2024, China officially ended its international adoption program, allowing only adoptions by blood relatives. The decision, announced by China’s Foreign Ministry was made with social, demographic, and diplomatic considerations.
November marks the beginning of National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the incredible stories of families formed through adoption and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for loving, supportive homes for children worldwide. At Gladney, we are driven by a simple yet profound belief: every child deserves a loving and caring family.
Throughout our history, Gladney has proudly worked to support and uplift families through various adoption programs, each tailored to meet the unique needs of children and families. We are honored to be a part of adoption journeys that span domestic infant adoption, international adoption, and foster care adoption.
Our domestic infant adoption program provides comprehensive support for expectant mothers considering adoption and families hoping to welcome a child into their lives. From counseling and resources for expectant mothers to pre-adoption education and post-adoption support for families, our focus is on creating a strong foundation for every child’s future.
Last Friday, we held our annual Gladney Adoption Day event, where we celebrated the finalization of adoptions and the beginning of beautiful new family stories. The event was a joyful reminder of the transformative power of adoption, and we look forward to more moments of celebration in the future.
Gladney is committed to international adoption, partnering with nine countries around the world to bring children and families together. We facilitate adoptions from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, China, and Hong Kong.
Our experienced team provides culturally sensitive guidance and extensive resources to ensure families are well-prepared for their journey. We take pride in helping families navigate the international adoption process, and we remain dedicated to the children who are waiting for a loving home, no matter where they are in the world.
Thousands of children in foster care dream of having a forever family. Through our New Beginnings Program, we connect children who have experienced foster care with stable, loving parents who are ready to make a lifelong commitment.
We also collaborate with the Heart Gallery of North Texas, a photo exhibit designed to raise awareness and find families for children waiting in the foster care system. By showcasing these children’s stories, we hope to inspire more families to consider foster care adoption and provide the safe, nurturing environment every child needs to thrive.
This November, we invite you to celebrate the joy of adoption and recognize the incredible families who have opened their hearts to children in need. Together, we can create bright futures and build forever families for children everywhere. Whether you are considering adoption, know someone who is, or simply want to support our mission, your involvement makes a world of difference.
Follow us on Instagram @gladneycenter to learn more about how Gladney supports families through every step of the adoption journey.
This National Adoption Month, let’s come together to protect adoption, advocate for children, and make lasting impacts in the lives of countless families.
#NationalAdoptionMonth #2024NationalAdoptionMonth #TheAdoptionCoalition #ProtectAdoption #ForeverFamilies #GladneyAdoption
Get Ready to Rock at Gladney’s Annual Adoption Rocks Event!
Caring for a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) requires understanding, patience, and a lifelong commitment to their unique needs. CP affects muscle tone, movement, and posture, but with the right care, children can thrive in nurturing environments. At the Gladney Center for Adoption, we support families with the tools and resources necessary to help adoptees with CP and their families thrive.
Topics: Special Needs, International Adoption
Tyrone is an incredible 11-year-old with a heart full of hope and dreams of becoming an NFL star. His unwavering faith in finding a loving family is inspiring. Every night, Tyrone prays, “Father God, all I want is for you to bless me with a perfect family.” This young man, who’s been in foster care for four years, is ready to find his forever home—a family that believes in him, supports his ambitions, and shares in his faith.
Topics: Advocacy
Honoring Aleda’s Adoption Legacy
Topics: Adoption Advocate
At Gladney, we understand the importance of honoring and celebrating the cultural backgrounds of every child, especially in transracial adoptions. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we encourage adoptive families to embrace the richness of Hispanic culture, particularly when adopting from countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, where Gladney facilitates international adoptions, in addition to families adopting Hispanic children from the foster care system.
Topics: Colombia Adoption, Ecuador Adoption, Dominican Republic Adoption
We are thrilled to announce that the Gladney Center for Adoption has officially received accreditation to work in Ecuador! This is an exciting development that expands our international adoption programs, providing even more opportunities for children in need of forever families.
