Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy?
Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy?
Considering adoption?
If you’re considering adoption, you’re in the right place. We help many expectant parents like you every year.
Explore waiting families
Brian and Cherish
We are absolutely honored and humbled that you are including our family in your decision making process. We understand that this decision is one of the biggest ones that you will ever make, and we want to let you know about our family, the love, and the encouragement that your child will receive when they become part of our family. We are Brian and Cherish, and our twin daughters Lindsey and Chelsea, who are in high school. Cherish also has an adult son, Tyler, who lives about 45 minutes away from us with his young family. Brian owns a marketing company and Cherish is a substitute teacher; she is enrolled in a Graduate program to earn her Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Volunteerism is important to us. Cherish has served on the board of the local Twins Club, Brian has served as a mentor at the local high school in their Small Business Incubator program, and runs the Trailmates program that Lindsey and Chelsea are in. Additionally, five years ago, we founded our own nonprofit, the Basket Brigade of Suburban Chicago where we pack and deliver complete Thanksgiving meals to local area families-in-need.
Read MoreDaniel and Alisha
Dear Expecting Parent(s), We have so much respect for the brave and loving choice you are making by considering adoption for your child. We would be honored to be considered as a family for your child. It is our hope with this letter to show what life with our family would be like for your baby. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to introduce our family to you. About Us Alisha was invited to Dan’s church (by a family member) one beautiful Sunday morning in November 2010. Alisha was seated in a pew near Dan, where we struck up a conversation very easily after the service. The next week, we went on a spontaneous lunch date and never looked back. We found out we had a lot in common and knew from that day forward that we were meant for each other. As our relationship progressed, we became soul mates and best friends. God blessed us with marriage two years later in the church where we met. One of the great things about us as a couple is that we have a lot in common and share the same values. But we also respect our differences and interests. Dan’s interests are bicycling, landscaping, woodworking, model trains and coin collecting. Alisha’s interests are crafts, cooking, gardening, boating and fishing. We both enjoy church activities, picnics, farm festivals, daytrips, vacations, community activities, and sporting events (Steelers, Penguins, Pirates). We also enjoy traveling together, as well as going out to share special times with friends and family. Dan graduated from college with a degree in Accounting and works as an Accountant at a manufacturing company. Alisha graduated from college with a degree in nursing and works at a hospital as an Intensive Care Nurse. After being married for about a year, we decided we wanted to start a family. Unfortunately, after trying on our own for quite some time and multiple fertility treatments, having children on our own was not successful. After much thought and consideration, we were called to the adoption process and found our way to Bethany Christian Services. Our Home and Neighborhood We live in a family friendly neighborhood close to parks, fitness activities, schools, church, and stores. We have family and friends living nearby who are excited to welcome a new member into our lives. Our church community is like a family. We have strong ties in our church community, which is about a ten minute drive from our home. We live in a single family home with a deck overlooking a nice sized back yard where there is plenty of space for a child to play. Our nursery is completely setup with a crib, changing table, and dresser, with a beautiful view of the back yard. We have a spacious kitchen, where we really enjoy cooking as a family. Our Values Our family values include setting a good example for children through our daily actions, including God in our daily lives through prayer, and attending church on Sundays. We intend on providing a child with a good education, team sports and activities, a safe neighborhood, holiday family get-togethers, fun child friendly events (zoo and science center), vacations and, when the child is older, continuing education towards a career path. Our Promise Thank you again for taking the time to learn about our family and for considering us as a family for your baby. We plan to be very open with your child about how he or she came to be part of our family and that this was made possible because of your courageous and selfless decision. Know that we are for open adoption and for you being updated on the child’s milestones and that your child will grow up with lots of love and support from us as parents and our extended family. Should your heart steer you in our direction for an adoptive family, may you find comfort in knowing that your baby will live with laughter and love. With heartfelt blessings, Dan and Alisha
Read MoreIsrael and Susie
Read MoreJeremy and Hillary
Although we come from very different places, San Diego and Buffalo respectively, our love has grown on the many things we have in common. We met at church in a community service group, and our relationship grew as friends who loved to serve others, run and enjoy the simple things of life. We both knew there was something more. Married in 2012, our relationship continues to build on what makes us work--faith, running, serving others, spending time with friends and family and enjoying this journey called life. We are active as a couple, and we enjoy spending time with family, friends and each other. As you will see, we don't take ourselves too seriously, and celebrate the fact that we can laugh, cry and "just be" with each other.
Read MoreEdward and Jennifer
We are Ed and Jen. We thank you for taking the time to learn more about our family. We are a small family with a vast support group that enjoys spending time together and staying active. We are a military family and have a strong faith in God and a devotion to service of people and country. Every day is one that we don’t take for granted, everywhere we go, we leave with new friends and a story that stays with us for life. If you decide to make an adoption plan, we want to assure you that we promise to respect you and your level of openness. We also promise to always honor and respect you in our everyday life. Something that is particularly important to us is that we want to raise our child with respect and strength of self. That starts with showing them respect for you and their birth story. We hope this page gives you a good glimpse of our life.
Read MoreShannon and Michelle
Hi, we're Shannon and Michelle, and we want to start off by saying how amazing we think you are! No matter what path you choose, we pray that God will guide you to make the right decision for you and your child. Here’s a quick glimpse of us: our journey started almost 18 years ago! Shannon had just graduated college and Michelle had just graduated high school when our mutual friends set us up. We had an instant connection and became inseparable quickly. After dating for five years, we got married in our hometown and just celebrated 13 years of marriage! We love spending time as a family, being outside, going for walks, going to the park, and spending time with family and friends. Nearly ten years ago, we learned we were unable to have children of our own. This was the most devastating news as we had always talked about our family and dreams for the future. While not losing hope, we prayed God had a plan for our lives and for us to have a family of our own. While we had many ups and downs, God led our path towards adoption. In 2023, we adopted our son, Liam. Liam has brought our family so much joy, laughter, and love. We continue to pray for another miracle and are excited to grow our family and have another child to love. We can’t wait to meet you!
Read MoreJason and Holly
Hello, we are Jason and Holly. Thank you for considering gracing us with your most precious gift. We admire your strength and self-sacrifice. Though we have not met, we pray for your health and wellbeing each day, and trust that God will lead you along your journey. We hope the next few pages will allow you to get to know us better. A child can never have too much love and support. We look forward to growing a relationship with you. We are committed to acknowledging you as an integral and cherished part of the child’s story. We pledge to always be flexible with the relationship between you and the child throughout the course of the child’s life.
Read MoreJoshua and Lyndsay
Hello, We are Josh and Lyndsay and we thank you for taking the time to take a peak into our lives, family and friends. Thank you for considering your choices. We are so excited to be adopting again and bringing another child into our home and creating a bigger family! We hope our story will help you in making your choice. Please know that no matter what family you choose, we wish you and your child all the best. We hope you can get a sense of who we are by looking through our profile. We look forward to meeting you.
Read MoreMatt and Steph
Hello, We are Matt, Steph and Abigail, and we thank you for taking the time to learn more about our family. We are so excited to be adopting and bringing another child into our family! We hope our story will help you in making your choice.
Read MoreDerek and Callae
Hello, We are very grateful and honored that you are considering bringing our story into your story through adoption. We want you to know that we recognize the magnitude of your decision and we do not take that for granted. We are eager to grow our family. For many years, God has been showing us that adoption is a part of his plan for us. We hope that this page will give you a glimpse into our lives and our character so that you can see how your child will be welcomed and loved deeply. It is our pledge to raise your child in a home filled with love, joy, and care. Laughter and playfulness will be integral to our home as we shoot hoops at the park, bake muffins together, and explore our state. Amidst the ups and downs of life, we commit to an unconditional love to each other and to each of our children that will not be altered by life circumstances. If you choose for your child to join our family, we look forward to getting to know you throughout the years. With care, Derek and Callae
Read MoreDavid and Silvia
We are Silvia and David. We want to start by telling you how much we deeply respect and admire you as you are considering adoption and choosing to bring your baby into this world. We’ve been trying to have children of our own for the last six years. We've gone through fertility treatments and consulted with a number of doctors but haven’t been successful. We have always been very interested in adoption. In fact, this is something we discussed even before getting married. For this reason, we feel very fortunate that you are checking our website and considering us as an option. We dream about being parents and having children to raise in a loving home! We have so much love to share with any child we're fortunate enough to be able to adopt.
Read MoreKyle and Cindy
Thank you for taking your time to get to know us a bit. While we don't know your journey, we want you to know that you are in our prayers. We hope you feel those prayers as you make brave decisions for you and yours. We have had a hard journey with many heart-breaking miscarriages that led us to making this book. Our faith in God and deep desire to share our love with a child have kept us going. Faith and family come first in our lives. We hope to give a child many diverse and fun opportunities as they grow and learn. Your child would be surrounded by never-ending love and support in this family.
Read MoreFAQs about adoption
Can I choose the family for my child?
Yes! You can review our online profiles of families who would like to adopt a child and learn all about their personalities and interests. If you decide to place your child for adoption, you’ll be able to meet with the adoptive families you like best.
Are there different kinds of adoption?
You will provide input into the type of relationship you desire between yourself, your child, and the adoptive parents. You can guide the level of communication and contact you have with your child and their adoptive family.
How can I find out my rights as a parent?
You always have the right to explore your options in a safe environment. And you have the right to have all your questions answered honestly and completely. You have these rights, no matter where you are in your pregnancy.
If I’m using drugs, can Bethany still help me?
Yes. Our counselors will help you consider the best options for you and your baby.
My child is already born. Can I still make an adoption plan
In many cases, you can still place your child for adoption after he or she is born.
Finding peace through open adoption
“Bethany made my adoption journey the best choice for me and those I care for. Three different families have become one because of the love and respect that we share—and I’ve found my place as a birth mom in each one of them.”
- Tamara
"When I was pregnant and pursuing an adoption plan, people told me I needed to ask forgiveness for “abandoning my child.” They wanted me to feel ashamed, but Bethany helped take the sting out of their words by reassuring me I had no reason to feel shame. Now my vision is to keep telling this story so other birth moms know they’re not alone.”
- Gloria
“Ten years ago, I was pregnant for the first time, and I was in jail. Making an adoption plan for my son didn’t mean I loved him any less; I just didn’t want my child to end up in the system. My life circumstances wouldn’t mean a life sentence for him.”
- Tamara
"When I found out I was pregnant with twins at age 18, I didn’t know where to turn. I thought, ‘How am I going to become the mom I want to be?’ Bethany helped provide care for my boys while I found a stable job. Today, my boys are thriving in my home.”
- Brijon
“Today, I am substance-free. I’m married with two biological children and two stepchildren. And I still have thoughts and emotions to process about that difficult time in my life, including my decision to make an adoption plan. That’s an experience most people just don’t understand."
- Gloria
Have questions?
Do you want to make an adoption plan or learn about your other options? Fill out a contact form or speak to a Bethany counselor at 1.800.BETHANY