Has anyone adopted through Catholic Charities? What was your experience?

Question

My husband and I are thinking of adopting through Catholic Charities, most likely domestically, but we are opened to international adoption. If anyone has adopted through CC, what was your experience and how does it work? I know you fill out a application, but what happens after that, and how does the cost factor in (I've heard it's something like 10% of your income or something).

Answer 1

We adopted both of our sons through Catholic Charities and had a wonderful experience with both.  We were really lucky.  The first took only 3 weeks once we were on the list.  The 2nd took about 5 months.  That said, we have been waiting over 3 years for the third child.  Not much has been happening with them lately.  It seems Illinois is really dialing down adoptions lately.  

The good thing is they are great people to work with and really care about BOTH sides of the adoption.  We feel they took excellent care of the boys' birthmoms rights and feel very good about our adoptions.  Things went pretty smoothly in both.

If this is your first adoption, you'll probably have better luck.  And yes, they do 10% up to about 10K, so less expensive than most.  That doesn't include lawyers fees.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

I think that it mostly depends on the region in which you live.  In our area, the focus is on helping mothers and fathers keep their children, so I doubt that there are very many adoptions.  In fact the local "house of shame" where parents used to hide their pregnant daughters is now a thriving residence for low-income and teen mothers and their children.  In areas where parishioners still take a conservative look on unwed pregnancy, there might be more babies available because CC will probably counsel toward adoption.

Have you considered foster care where children are waiting for loving homes?

Answer 3

My experience?  Um, well, they told my mother I was DEAD and then gave me away.

We found each other years later.  Thinking of sueing for the anguish and the sealed records that kept me from letting her know I'm alive and well.

Thanks for asking

Answer 4

As far as international adoptions, Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs, Colorado has one of the better reputations and track records.

They also help adoptees locate their birth parents - which is very unusual for adoption agencies.