Stories

I am Jane Waldman … an adoptive mom and a supporter of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the wonderful work the organization does on behalf of adoptive parents and children. I am passionate about advocating for adoption as it is a wonderful way to become a family and change the life of a waiting child. Read More

Born with complex medical challenges, Samantha was placed into foster care as an infant due to medical neglect. She waited 14 long years for a permanent family. Thankfully, everything changed when Ken and Aaryn adopted Samantha with support from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and her Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, Amy. Read More

JC, a New York Life employee, and his wife decided to grow their family through adoption. JC’s employer guided them with resources and support every step of the way. Today, JC’s family is thriving and feels grateful for the extraordinary support they received. Read More

As a Product Management Advisor for TransUnion, Tara felt confident in the adoption benefits offered through her employer. With the support of her organization, Tara adopted for the second time. Today, her family is complete and enjoying every moment together. Read More

Maggie, an attorney at Nutter, and her wife became parents through adoption with the support of Maggie’s employer. Through the organization’s adoption benefits program, Maggie’s travel expenses and immediate needs, like diapers, were reimbursed. Today, Maggie’s family is complete and they are grateful for the support they received along the way. Read More

Jessica, an executive assistant at NFI, often dreamed about becoming a parent. When she and her wife decided to become foster parents, their lives changed. After fostering an 18-month-old boy, the couple discovered he had an older brother who was also in need of a forever family. In 2022, the couple adopted the boys together with the support of NFI’s adoption benefits. Read More

April, Sr. Manager of Client Services at Charles River Laboratories, and her partner decided to grow their family through adoption. Using the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Adoption-Friendly Workplace toolkit, April started the adoption benefits conversation with her employer. In 2017, April and her family adopted a baby boy and became the first recipients of Charles River Laboratories adoption benefits. Read More

When Brian, Assistant VP of Corporate Communications at Rockefeller Group, and his wife became foster parents, their life changed. Through foster care, the couple adopted their son, Nicholas. With the support of his employer’s adoption benefits, Brian was able to take time off work to attend court dates, appointments and to transition into his parenthood journey. Read More

After waiting for more than two years, Kelli, an employee at VML, and her husband received the call they had been hoping for. They were becoming parents for the second time through adoption. With the support of her employer’s adoption benefits, Kelli was able to take parental leave with ease and enjoy this special moment. Read More

Chelsea, a Sr. Director of Impact & Sustainability at Etsy, Inc., fostered for more than a year before adopting her daughters. Through her employer’s adoption benefits, Chelsea was allowed six months of parental leave to transition into this new stage of her life. Today, with the continuous support of her employer, Chelsea’s family is thriving. Read More