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Hi folks!
This agency is located in Georgia (USA, that is). Has anyone ever worked with them in searching for an AA or bi-racial baby? We have just submitted info to them and would appreciate any feedback from anyone who's heard or has worked with them directly.
Thanks a bunch!
Sincerely,
Linny
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Hey Linny, I know you from the 'forever' board!
I never had the chance to adopt thru this agency, but we had our information submitted with them and talked on the phone fairly frequently with Betty. I felt extremely comfortable with them and would have been thrilled had a match come out of our relationship. Good luck!!
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I would have to say that The Open Door people have certainly been helpful. However, after we submitted our profile and application.........we received info to tell us that they had a mandatory policy of sending letters and photos (so many at such and such times per year at first, fewer after one year, etc.)
When I first spoke to one of their people, I misunderstood this to mean that it was their suggestion to birthmoms/dads. However, it is indeed their policy and 'to-be-adoptive parents' are required to sign it. It stays in force whether the birthparents want this type of relationship or not.
We don't like to sign anything for long term....especially w/o discussing it with the birthparents. And........we are not a couple who would agree to something w/o fully intending to carry through with it. While this may not bother a lot of people.....it did us. We called them back and said that we didn't feel comfortable with it. They were disappointed; but added that they were very happy we were honest enough to say this in the beginning; and not agreeing to the policy just to be able to be considered for placement.
So, if a more closed adoption is preferable; or if couples and birthparents prefer to design the contact on their own grounds........one might want to re-consider.However, if this kind of thing doesn't bother a couple......based on what I've known, I'd recommend the agency to them.
Sincerely,
Linny
Linny,
I am in Atlanta, too. I called Open Door because many people in my church used them, but for Russian adoption. They told me that they primarily focus on International. A MUCH better option in Atlanta/GA is Bethany Christian Services.
Bethany has a specific program for AA and Biracial infants. Call Lucille Williams. They always need families! Lucille runs the orientation 6 times a year (a 5 week, each Friday night, "class").
Jenn
Thank you for your info, Blackberrymama. The only problem with going through Bethany, is that we are required to go through the Bethany office in Chicago. We've tried this, and suffice to say, some of the people were pleasant......many acted like they had no clue to tell us what to do. It was very obvious that they didn't care to have a profile (though I sent them one months ago)......they couldn't remember where it was, why I was submitting, and basically, some acted like they couldn't care less.
(This was after we had called them many times........never receiving a call back, and finally getting them to speak to us.)
Sincerely,
Linny
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We adopted through The Open Door! Everything moved extremely quickly for us, and Betty was SO wonderful to work with. She was so increadibly supportive! I do wish that things had moved quicker in terminating birthfather rights, James was born in December, and rights were not terminated until October 4th. He was not found, and I understand there were circumstances out of their control, but it seems it could have moved a little quicker. We are in Oregon, and we already had our homestudy done. We first heard about them the first part of November, and James was born one month later. As his birthmother did not feel she could pick a family, we were chosen since we had been waiting for an AA boy the longest! Feel free to PM me for more info, good luck!
