Shannon and Hubert Schulz do not shy away from a challenge. They fostered and adopted not 1, not 2, but 6 children from Indiana Adoption Program, each with their own unique set of circumstances and struggles. But the Schulzes have always been clear on this point: the world should expect great things from their kids.
Sometimes you find family in the most unexpected of places. For Andrew and Dakota, it was through mentoring. As Dakota’s mentor, Andrew built a relationship of trust with Dakota, which led to Andrew becoming a licensed foster parent and Dakota becoming part of Andrew’s family.
National Adoption Month gave us the opportunity to celebrate hundreds of adoptions in Indiana. Even though the official celebratory month is over, there are still many ways that you can support adoptive families in your community.
Zanita and Wilhelm have been fostering for over a decade, and they don’t shy away from fostering older children and teens. They bring a different dynamic to Zanita and Wilhelm’s family.
Family trees can be complicated for children who have experienced foster care and adoption. Andrew and Jamiell share how they view their family tree now that Jamiell’s adoption is finalized.
Melissa has provided foster care and respite care to over 70 children, she has 20+ years of experience working with clients with disabilities, and she has 4 children … for now.
Linnea was 14 years old when she first visited Blythe and Tom’s home. She remembers not wanting to be adopted because she did not want to lose her siblings. Adopted at 17, Linnea is now a mother of two and works with youth who have experienced many of the same issues that brought her into foster care.
Susan and Brent became foster parents when they found out that a classmate of Susan’s daughter Vanessa was in need of a home. Being a foster parent was different from any parenting they’d ever done. They focused on attachment and bonding with each of their kids.