Gladney Blog

The start of school is always one of my favorite times of year.  I love back to school shopping and I get really excited about school and office supply shopping.  I think it symbolizes- a new season and a fresh start.  And, who doesn't love a brand-new spiral notebook and fresh pencils with new erasers! 

It seems we have been bombarded with unsettling news for weeks.  And depending on your personality, social distancing could be your worst nightmare or your dream come true (under different circumstances).  For me, it's a little of both.  I have enjoyed some special blessings during this time.  For example, my daughter who is a college student several hundred miles away has been home.  Our whole family has enjoyed being together and playing domino games late into the night.  We have had dance parties and cooking contests and we have had some quiet moments too, like cuddling and watching movies.  There has been some blessings in all this chaos.

The Gladney Center for Adoption Acquires Adoption.com

This will expand Gladney’s reach to vast national and international audiences and enhance Adoption.com’s role as a trusted and safe resource for the adoption community.

Have you heard the wonderful news?! The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services announced that "new state figures show more children are leaving foster care for safe, permanent homes than are entering the child welfare system, as adoptions surged past 6,000 for the first time."

Yesterday was a difficult day. It was one of those days where everything is hard, and nothing goes as planned both at work and at home. My husband was traveling, my son had multiple places to be, I had a ton of stuff going on at work and to top it off someone I love was hurting.

It’s hard to believe the school year is about to wrap up and students will soon be turning in their books in favor of flip flops and sunscreen! As the school year winds down, I want to share with you some exciting updates about Gladney’s AdoptED school-based education program. Since AdoptED’s inception in 2012, Gladney has reached more than 45,000 students with compelling information about all aspects of the adoption process, programs, and careers!

AdoptED was born through collaborative efforts of community leaders and Gladney, who all believe education empowers students to be able to navigate their futures, goals, and dreams. This ground-breaking program works with educators to provide interactive presentations in the classroom setting. AdoptED gives students parameters for goal setting, decision-making, and healthy life choices. Gladney’s goal is to introduce solutions to the problems students are facing today and to empower them with information that can inspire them to make positive life choices.

AdoptED continues to grow and create exciting content for use in schools across the country.  This year marked an important milestone, as we entered classrooms in 36 states and hosted 15 field trips to Gladney’s campus! We are already booking for next semester, and we will soon be bringing new AdoptED tools to your community. AdoptED’s app is coming this summer, and we will be unveiling a new website with an innovative built-in learning module for students to access three new adoption lessons. This new digital learning module is important to AdoptED’s long-term growth and accessibility for students and teachers who need Gladney the most.  

To learn more about AdoptED please follow us on Facebook or check us out on Instagram.  AdoptED Inspires!

Like most people I love to peruse social media for news of the day or for interesting insights on subjects I care about.  Recently I read a very compelling and honest article titled, “Pipeline to Homelessness: Aging out of the Foster Care System.”   The article details the challenges teens face as they age out of the foster care system. 

Because of my work at Gladney, I was familiar with the very bleak outcomes associated with teens aging of foster care.  Outcomes including, homelessness, trauma and mental illness, unplanned pregnancy and criminal activity, but what I liked about the article was the call to action for hope.  And this is where I see Gladney.  We can work together and be the hope for these kids.  Because there is a surprisingly simple answer.  Find homes for children who need them.  Gladney believes every child deserves a loving and caring home.  I am very proud and excited about the focus Gladney is giving this issue.  New initiatives include:

Gladney Center for Adoption Celebrates Blossoms Awards Dinner and Edna Gladney Bronze Bust Unveiling by Artist Linda Stinson

November is National Adoption Month (NAM). This is an exciting month for us at Gladney and for the millions of American's who have been touched by adoption in some special way. My name is Jennifer and I am an adoptive mother and a staff member at Gladney so NAM has a very special meaning to me. This is a time when me and my family celebrate and offer extra gratitude for the brave decision our son's birth mother made to place him in our family. Her selfless love made our family complete and there is not a day goes by we do not think of her with love and respect.

Gladney Appoints Mark Melson as President & CEO

Long-time leader announces retirement; Board lauds Frank Garrott’s leadership tenure saying Gladney positioned well for the future

Gladney Press Release

(FORT WORTH, TX, December 1, 2017)—The Gladney Center of Adoption, a national leader in adoption services for 130 years, announced the appointment of Mark Melson to be the institution’s President and CEO.  Gladney’s Board Chairman Christopher Dezzi said Melson’s presence as a current and established Gladney leader offered a unique opportunity for a seamless transition to the position. Frank Garrott, who has an extraordinary record of success furthering the Gladney mission, said he had been contemplating retirement since late summer and informed Dezzi about the decision last month.

In a letter to Gladney’s supporters and staff, Garrott described his 10-year tenure at the organization as a “challenging, wonderful and joyful” period of time.

“It has truly been an honor and privilege to work with everyone in the Gladney family,” said Garrott, “and people are right when they tell me, it’s the best job in the world. “There’s a time for everything, and for me, it’s a time to take up the next challenge and move on to the next chapter of my life.”

Dezzi praised Garrott’s accomplishments, saying his compassion, dedication and wisdom were vital during some opportune and critical moments in the organization’s history.

“Not only has Gladney grown its mission to place thousands of children in loving homes,” said Dezzi, “he has also established innovative and far-reaching outreach efforts, such as the groundbreaking Pathways program as well as the Next Steps initiative that supports birth mothers. In addition, we have expanded our mission with the creation of both AdoptED and Gladney University. Frank has an extraordinary legacy here, and we will miss him personally and professionally.”

Dezzi said Melson’s appointment will be effective January 1, 2018.

“Mark Melson is the right man at the right time for Gladney,” said Dezzi. “Our board has been focusing on all the issues related to future planning and succession. Mark was recently appointed as the Chief Operating Officer for Gladney. His service in that position as well as his work as Vice President for Development proved his solid operational and leadership abilities. We all look forward to Gladney’s next generation of leadership and growth under Mark.”

Garrott said he hopes to “travel the world” after leaving Gladney, and he pledged to continue supporting Gladney and its mission.

“It will be hard to leave,” said Garrott.  “I love Gladney. The agency provided for me personally because I am a Gladney parent. There are no words for the gratitude that I feel. When visualizing the end of the year, I know when I walk out the door, there will be a lump in my throat the size of a grapefruit.”

Melson expressed his appreciation for the appointment.

“It’s an honor to stand on the shoulders of those who came before me and lead this great organization,” said Melson.   “After almost 10 years at Gladney I have seen how adoption has touched the lives of thousands of families, and as a Gladney Parent I have personally witnessed the miracle of adoption in my own home.  I’m excited about our future and building on Gladney’s great legacy.”

About the Gladney Center for Adoption

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Gladney is a not-for-profit organization that since 1887 has placed over 31,000 children internationally and domestically in forever homes and served over 38,000 birth parents. The agency also maintains the largest, most comprehensive maternity home in the United States. For more information, visit our website or call 817-922-6000.  The heart and soul of our mission is- a place where hope is born.