Gladney Blog

"I wish for a loving family to take me away from the hurt and loneliness. I need help healing and learning to trust again. It takes a village to help kids like me."

Topics: New Beginnings, NB Info Sessions

A Gladney Adoption Story

“One morning, my caseworker was on the phone telling me there was a family who wanted to adopt me. I remember crying and feeling shocked and excited at the same time. I was surprised a family wanted a seventeen-year-old as a daughter. How is that possible?

After meeting my new parents, I opened up a little to them and talked about some of my past, which was sorta shocking because I rarely ever tell anyone about it. Something in my heart told me I could trust them. As part of one of our visits, we went to see the movie Tomb Raider, and that’s how I came up with my new name: Lara. That was the name of the main character in the movie; and she was strong, incredibly brave, and also very adventurous.

Topics: Texas Foster Children, Foster Adoption, New Beginnings, Adoption Stories, Success Stories

This internship has been so much more than I ever expected! I first heard about Gladney after I started the MSW program at the University of Texas at Arlington. When the opportunity presented itself to apply for an internship here I jumped at it, but I was not holding my breath on being one of the few lucky ones to be selected. Then, the much-anticipated e-mail came in…” you have been accepted as an intern at the Gladney Center for Adoption”. Intern at Gladney?! Me?! I felt like my eyes were deceiving me! I remember calling my mom to tell her and then quickly assuring both of us that it was too good to be true. I am so glad that statement was wrong!

Topics: Gladney Intern Blog, A Day in the Life of a Gladney Intern, Foster Adoption, New Beginnings

A Day in the Life of a Gladney Intern

My connection with Gladney began two years ago when one of my classes required that I do volunteer work for a non-profit organization. While volunteering I learned they needed a driver for the expectant moms living in the dorm so I decided to apply. Over the last two years I developed an appreciation for the culture and commitment Gladney has to help those in need. I wanted to understand other ways that Gladney positively impacts lives and so I decided to do my Internship with them.

Topics: Gladney Intern Blog, A Day in the Life of a Gladney Intern, New Beginnings

CAFO Summit

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Christian Alliance for Children (CAFO) Summit in Frisco, Texas.  While I was there, it was great to see the Christian churches’ response to the problem of child welfare around the world. 

Topics: New Beginnings, Foster Care System, Intercountry Adoption

Families or individuals interested in learning more about the process to foster or adopt from the Texas State Foster Care System are invited to a Free Adoption Expo on April 7, 2018. The Expo will be held from 1 p.m. til 4 p.m.

Topics: Adoption, Texas Foster Children, Foster Adoption, New Beginnings

Thank you, Gladney, for giving me the opportunity to pursue my passion each day through my internship at Gladney. 

Topics: Gladney Intern Blog, New Beginnings

As Gladney continues to focus on the Texas foster children, I believe others might benefit from reading the article by Brandon Logan, J.D., CWLS, entitled “The Community-Based Solution for Texas Foster Children”.  The article provides helpful information to anyone trying to better understand it.

If you are interested in learning more about how to adopt a child in Texas Foster care, please check out Gladney's New Beginnings Program.

Topics: Suggested Reading, Texas Foster Children, Foster Adoption, New Beginnings

Hey Gladney friends and family!

Topics: Gladney Intern Blog, A Day in the Life of a Gladney Intern, New Beginnings