Support is the thread that connects every aspect of our work. In many places we serve—where healthcare or social services may be limited, where children lack the resources they need, where families are not always treated the same—it is this transformative support that defines our mission and drives our vision forward. As we expand our reach across the country and around the world, your generosity helps us continue to uphold the Spence-Chapin way—providing the support every child, parent, and adoptee needs.
532 Children Cared For Through The Granny Program Last Year
123 Community Programming Participants Last Year
550+ Children Placed Through Special Needs Adoption Program
325 Days of Interim Care Provided To Newborns Last Year
Last June, just a few months after opening our new office in Phoenix, Arizona, Spence-Chapin received a referral call about a couple who was in need of guidance. They had been approached by someone from their church about caring for her baby grandchild whose mother was currently incarcerated. The grandmother had been caring for the newborn, along with another grandchild, and was overwhelmed by the responsibility. The couple had been looking into adoption as a way to grow their family but had no idea how to navigate this new situation.
Spence-Chapin immediately went to work, with a social worker scheduling a visit for their home study, and a birth parent social worker connecting with the corrections department to arrange contact with the birth parent, who was serving a long sentence.
We received permission to email the birth mother, who responded immediately that she would like to be in contact and receive more information on her options. She and her social worker began to communicate through email and phone and finally were able to schedule a visit. The birth mother voiced from the beginning that she was interested in an option that would provide a loving, stable environment for her son, something she was not able to provide, but was especially important to her because of the trauma she experienced herself in the foster care system, and she hoped for a better future for her son.
The social worker counseled the birth mother on her options, and together they explored open adoption, birth parent-led adoption process, and her rights as a birth parent. When the birth mother was ready, we/SC arranged for a phone call between her and the prospective adoptive family, which led to several phone calls, and finally an in-person visit. The birth mother shared that she feels a strong connection with the family and is confident they will provide the right home for her child, and “the life he deserves.”
Through the guidance of her own attorney that Spence-Chapin connected her with free of charge, the birth mother crafted an open adoption agreement she was comfortable with, providing for continued contact with her son and the adoptive family.
The child is thriving in his home. The birth mother continues to receive updates on his progress, and both families have stayed in touch with Spence-Chapin, who is able to provide them with ongoing support, as they navigate their open adoption and life journey.
At the end of 2024, Baby Nolan* was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that results in a wide range of serious and lifelong health complexities impacting the heart, nerves, ears, and eyes and that requires lifelong and ongoing care. His biological parents were very concerned that the baby’s needs were beyond their ability to manage and reached out to Spence-Chapin for support.
Over the next few weeks, they worked with their social worker to weigh their options heavily, ultimately deciding that Nolan needed a family who would be able to give him everything he needs, in a stable home where he would be able to remain, and that adoption provided that opportunity to Nolan.
As soon as Spence-Chapin began to search for potential adoptive families for Nolan, the team received a call from Holly, who had adopted her son through the Special Needs Adoption Program several years ago and was looking to grow her family again She immediately felt drawn to Nolan’s story after reading the description on the Waiting Children page, and hoped that she and her family would be a good fit. Nolan’s birth family met with her and felt that she and her family would provide a wonderful home for their son.
In March, Nolan was finally well enough to be discharged into the home of his new family, who had already prepared their home with the equipment that Nolan would need. His new brother was especially delighted that he and Nolan share a similar cultural birth heritage and is excited of the prospect of one day sharing with Nolan all that he has learned about his birth culture through the youth classes and community his adoptive mom has connected him to.
Today, Nolan is doing well in his new home and reportedly has learned to smile—especially in moments when his beaming big brother is at his side.
*Children’s names have been changed to protect privacy
When six-year-old Ella* arrived at the children’s home in Bogota, Colombia, she was shy and was adjusting to her new surroundings. She had difficulty sharing with the other children and often struggled to express how she felt, instead crying and hiding under tables when she didn’t get her way. That is, until she was connected with Myriam, a Granny through the Granny Program.
It took some time for Ella to warm up to Myriam. But Myriam put into practice the child development training she had received from the program, and through patience, consistency, and love, her and Ella’s special bond began to form. Now, Ella and Myriam look forward to their time together every day. They read stories, dance together, and play pretend. Because of her Granny’s steady love and encouragement, Ella has learned to express herself in ways she never could before. She now says what she likes and doesn’t like and has learned how to share with other children.
One of the most memorable moments for the two of them was the day that Ella celebrated her birthday for the first time in her life. Myriam took care of every detail, even procuring a beautiful dress so Ella could feel like a princess. She made sure that Ella felt special and cherished on her special day, just as every child should.
“Ella has changed so much since we met,” Myriam recently shared. “She is intelligent, affectionate, and a little leader. But more than that, she has given me a gift. The sparkle in her eyes and her smile when she greets me brightens my afternoons…I’m so grateful for these moments we share every day.”
*Children’s names have been changed to protect privacy
Waiting Children Profiles
Thank you for your interest in adopting through Spence-Chapin! We are able to share the profiles of children who are considered to be the most in need and are waiting internationally to be matched with an adoptive family. The children featured on this page have been waiting for the longest to find families and consist of children who are older, part of a sibling group, or children with a diagnosed medical condition. In order to respect the privacy of these children, this page has been password protected.
Spence-Chapin takes the privacy rights of the children that we are seeking to place very seriously, and share the profile with you under the following conditions:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PASSWORD ACCESS
That you acknowledge and understand that
1. Misuse of the content, and/or linking to any sites that reflect practices that involve the sale, abduction, exploitation, or trafficking of children is strictly prohibited.
2. You have been given limited access to confidential information in the form of images that you will not disclose to any person or in any manner that is inconsistent with applicable policies and procedures of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children.
3. The confidentiality obligation shall continue indefinitely, including at all times after my association with Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children.
4. You are not permitted to release, copy, distribute, or sell any of these images to third parties in any form.
5. Impermissible disclosure of the images may result in legal actions being taken against you, by or on behalf of that person.
6. You are doing this freely, voluntarily and with a full understanding of what you are agreeing to by entering/accessing this blog.
7. Thank you for your interest in providing a loving home for a waiting child! We look forward to connecting with you soon to continue discussing adoption paths at Spence-Chapin. We hope that you like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter, and keep up with our families through our adoption blog!
Warm regards,
The Adoption Team at Spence-Chapin
Phone: 212-400-8150
Email: [email protected]
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