Meet our Team:

Valerie Fiorentino, LAC Program Director of Adoption and Foster Care Services

Janine Cook, LPC Birth Parent Counselor

Aisha Harper, MA Adoption, Search & Reunion Specialist

Susan Scialpi, MA, Adoption Specialist

Locations:

  • In NJ at 635 South Clinton Ave., Trenton 08611
  • In PA at 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville 19067

A message to new prospective adoptive families:

Our intake for Adoption Services is currently closed to new applicants.  We continue to provide Adoption Services including:
  • home study only
  • limited home studies including studies for relative/kinship placements and step parent adoptions
  • and post placement supervision services.
If you are interested in learning more about our services, please complete the below or reach out to Valerie Fiorentino, Director of Adoption Services at vfiorentino@chsofnj.org or (609) 695-6274, ext 107.

Take the First Steps:

  • Fill out the form: Adoption Inquiry
  • Fill out the form: Background, Search, and Reunion Inquiry
  • Meet our waiting/hopeful families
  • Read testimonies from adoptive families

Adoption Inquiry Form

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

Background, Search, and Reunion Inquiry Form

MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name
Address
Background, Search or Reunion
Preferred contact
Pick one
If you prefer not to be contacted at home or work, please list instructions for contacting you.

Waiting Families

If you are considering an adoption plan, click below to view some of our waiting/hopeful families or read testimonials from happy families.  All families have been home study approved and reside in New Jersey.

To learn more about these and other waiting families (not listed here), please reach out to Valerie Fiorentino at 609-695-6274 Ext. 109 or vfiorentino@chsofnj.org.

Dear Expecting Mother,

Thank you for taking time to read this. We haven’t met yet, but I have been praying for you as I imagine the range of thoughts and emotions you’re experiencing. I believe in my heart that you are acting out of love and appreciate you considering me as a parent to your child. I promise to love and support your child unconditionally. They already hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to nurturing a loving relationship as we take this journey together.

A Little About Me:

I love music and singing. I sing in the choir and have an amazing church family that I love! Like my dad, I have a cooky sense of humor and love a good laugh. I enjoy eating out and trying different foods – and I LOVE pancakes! J I have an almost 2-year-old dog, named Penny. She’s super friendly and happy! She thinks it’s her job to stop and say hello to everyone she sees. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my mom or my best friend, Angie, or sipping coffee at the neighborhood Starbucks. During the summer, I love to visit a good beach, the zoo, and just spend time outdoors. My life is pretty simple and blessed. I grew up in diverse neighborhood in New York where I was raised by mother as an only child. I visited my father in New Jersey on the weekends. My family life was unique. I was an only child in every sense of the word and I was also the youngest of my father’s three daughters. I was blessed to have sibling-like relationships with two of my cousins and was surrounded by the love of a small, but mighty family on my mother’s side. These days my immediate family remains small in size and huge in love, while my extended family continues to be an important part of my life. My immediate and extended families consist of biological and adopted relatives, half-siblings, stepsisters, nieces and nephews, and friends who have become family – all proving to me that love is what makes a family great.

My mother lives about 20 minutes away from me and we are extremely close. I love our relationship and believe it will serve as a blueprint for my parenting. She taught me to be kind and respectful, and more than that, she taught me at a young age that my voice was important and I was worthy of respect. My mom can’t wait to be a grandma! In addition to her, I have a strong village of friends and family in New York and New Jersey that I am most grateful for. They are super excited about my adoption journey, and a few have even dropped hints about wanting to be godparents. I’m smiling as I write this because I know that your child will be loved beyond measure!

The neighborhood I live in reminds me a bit of the one I grew up in as a child. My neighbors are friendly, children run and play outside, and lots of people have dogs. The town is small and relatively diverse, with a library and downtown area in walking distance. I am near friends and family in both New York and New Jersey. I have a sunny two-bedroom garden apartment that has been very comfortable for Penny and me, and my mom, when she stays over. Although I don’t have a backyard, I am able to spend a lot of time outside in any of the grassy areas in my development and there’s a great playground on site.

My Hope and Dreams About Adoption I have prayed about adoption for a very long time and can’t wait to become a parent. I am at a point in my life where I have accomplished great things in my career and wish to focus on building my family and pouring out the abundance of love in my heart. I appreciate the openness of adoptions today and am committed to fostering a relationship that helps your child to be secure in the fact she/he is loved.

There’s so much I hope for that I don’t have adequate words to describe, but I’ve tried to capture some of it in a letter to my future child:

Click to Read Letter

Thank you for taking time to read this letter and for considering me as a parent to your child. I look forward to meeting you someday!

With love,

Marshaé

Dear Expectant Parent,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our profile and considering us as placement for your baby. We cannot imagine what this might be like for you and we really appreciate the opportunity to be considered. Our names are Michael and Meghan, we live in Kenilworth, New Jersey. We both work from home full time. Michael is in IT and I am a mental health therapist and worked for years as a special education teacher prior to making the career switch. We do not have any children at this current time. We have not been able to grow a family of our own and have discussed and considered adoption since before we even got married and we would discuss family. We believe that adoption is the right avenue for us.

Michael and I met in 2015 and were married in 2019. We are also in the middle of planning our wedding in the Catholic church. We were not able to get married in the church at first but are excited to have the opportunity now. I am a Catholic and religion is very important to me. I was raised Catholic and faith was an important part of my childhood and upbringing. Prior to the pandemic I attended church multiple times per week and was involved in the church’s bereavement group as church grounds me. Michael and I attend church weekly and at times go with my parents. Michael was raised Serbian Orthodox but attends church with me. Growing up his family was active in the Serbian Orthodox church and his father is still connected. The Servian Orthodox church has a lot of traditions that were practiced in Michael’s home growing up.

We are a laid back couple, who like to be active but also find quiet time important, we like to take day trips, see family and friends, go to the movies, spending time shopping, and be outside. Michael works with computers and computer systems, he enjoys building computers and making home improvements that include making the house “smarter.” He also enjoys building things on his 3-D printer. I am active, I enjoy taking long walks and hikes, spending time with her siblings, projects in the house, singing and music, and craft projects (I just bought a Cricut and am learning how to use it). We also recently bought a new home and we are still working on settling in. We enjoy spending time with family, Mike’s father lives down by the beach and we visit throughout the year. During the warmer months we like to go to the boardwalk near his house and grab pizza or ice cream. Mike has a younger brother who is married with 2 younger children (ages 3 and 1) and they live about 25 minutes away from us. My father and stepmother as well as younger brother and sister live about 20 minutes away and we see them often. I have a few nieces and nephews, that range in age from 23 to 11. We have three small dogs; Shelly is a 15 year old Shih Tzu, Abbey is a 9 year old Shih Tzu and Frankie is a 6 year old Shih Tzu mix. We like taking them on walks and they enjoy playing. We live in small town, it has a downtown area with shops and restaurants. Right down the street from our house is a playground/park. Our town has town and school sports as well as dance studios and karate studios. We have a 4 bedroom center hall colonial. We have a backyard with an above ground pool. We also have a private swim club that is in walking distance to the house that has a playground and offers swim lessons and other child friendly activities.

We are looking to give a child a warm, loving, and safe home full of opportunities. We want to offer a child unconditional love and support to grow into their full potential and become their authentic self. We are able and excited to provide a child with emotionally support, financial security and with unconditional love. We believe it is important for a child to have experiences and be able to engage in activities and things that help them develop. In terms of child care, Michael and I both work from home with flexible schedules and we both plan on taking time off from work when the child first comes home. We do not plan on using a day care or preschool until the child is older and mostly for socializing. We will be hiring someone to come into our home to care for the baby a few hours a day, but we will both be home while they are here. We are very grateful to have the ability to be very present and stay home with the baby while they are young, and everyone is transitioning.

We started the adoption process in the fall, but it is something we have talked about since before getting married. We are working with the Children’s Home Society of NJ. We have taken classes in preparation for adoption that discussed bounding, trauma, boundaries and setting/having realistic expectations. We absolutely welcome the idea of an open adoption if the birth mother is open. We think it is in the best interest of the child. We also understand that adoption is not an easy choice for a birth mother and in many ways can be traumatic. We feel that an open relationship between all parties can help ease some of the questions and fears that birth mothers may experience. It also allows the child a link to their past and an understanding of why they were placed with another family.

Again, we really appreciate you considering us to be a part of your journey in this process.

 

Thank you,

Michael and Meghan

We were introduced by a mutual friend in 2001, and hit it off right away. We were married in 2013 and have been wanting to start a family for a while now. Jaclyn was adopted into her family as an infant, and always knew that she would want adoption to be a part our journey to parenthood. We know it’s an incredible person to have to make this choice, and are honored to be considered to be the family to raise your child and give them all of the love, structure, and encouragement we each received growing up.

We both work in sales, and Jaclyn is lucky enough to be able to work from home. In our free time, we love to be with family, friends (and their kids!) and our dog, Merry! Jaclyn also loves to cook, read, and take martial arts classes; Eric loves to work on crossword puzzles, watch football, and they both love attending trivia nights and planning their next vacation.

Our families are both excited for us to add to our family, and we’re excited to share our lives with children. We live in a wonderful neighborhood with lots of parks and walking trails nearby, the town pool, and plenty of great community programs through the library and the parks department.

 

We were both raised to have natural curiosity and love of learning, and we look forward to learning about our child and their heritage, as well as learn new things together and through their eyes. We will support any amount of communication you would be comfortable with. As an adoptee herself, Jaclyn knows how important it is to know where you’ve come from. You will always be an important part of your child’s story, and our story as a family.

Dear Expectant Parents,

¡Hola! We are Carlos and Maria Andreina, and we are thrilled to introduce ourselves to you through this adoption profile. As you consider the incredible journey of adoption, we want to provide you with a glimpse into our lives and the love and warmth we can offer to a child, in a home where Spanish is spoken and our Latin heritage is celebrated.

Introduction:

We are a loving couple who believe in the power of family, cultural connection, and embracing diversity. Our shared Hispanic background has shaped our values, traditions, and the way we see the world. We are excited to pass on our rich heritage and provide a nurturing environment where a child can flourish.

Our Love Story:

Carlos and Maria Andreina’s love story began over more than a decade ago when we met through mutual friends. Our connection was immediate, and we quickly discovered a shared passion for adventure, travel, and building a meaningful life together. We got married eleven years ago, we have been together thirteen years and have since grown even closer through our shared experiences and mutual support.

Home and Family Life:

We reside in a warm and welcoming neighborhood in a suburban area. Our home is a cozy and loving space we have carefully cultivated, filled with laughter, warmth, and endless opportunities for growth and creativity. We have created a nurturing environment where love and respect are the foundation of our family life. We love having people over and doing barbecues and parties. We have a large family and we are very close to our family and relatives. Carlos has two grown-up daughters from another relationship that are living abroad and he enjoys being part of their lives even though they are not close to our home. We have not been able to grow a family of our own.

Carlos:

Carlos is an accomplished architect who finds joy in creating spaces and drawings that inspire and uplift others. When he’s not designing beautiful furniture and buildings, he enjoys playing golf, a sport that challenges him mentally and physically as well as cooking delicious meals and traveling around the world. Carlos is a patient and caring individual, always ready to lend a helping hand. He is excited to share his passion for architecture and the cooking arts with a child, fostering their creativity and curiosity.

Maria Andreina:

Maria Andreina is a compassionate paralegal who believes in fighting for justice and making a positive impact on people’s lives. Recently, she discovered her love for writing children’s books, allowing her to nurture her imagination and inspire young minds. She also enjoys reading, traveling around the world, and doing yoga, finding solace and peace in the practice. Maria Andreina is eager to share her love for literature and mindfulness with a child, encouraging their imagination and inner strength.

Our Values:

We believe that every child deserves a loving and nurturing environment where they can grow and thrive. We prioritize open communication, respect, and empathy in our relationships. We cherish the values instilled in us by our families. Respect, love, and the importance of family bonds are deeply ingrained in our everyday lives. We believe in the power of education, open-mindedness, and celebrating the family union.

Our Promise to You:

If chosen as adoptive parents, we promise to provide your child with a loving and nurturing environment where their identity is cherished and celebrated. We will instill in them strong values, resilience, and a sense of belonging. We envision family adventures, holidays filled with laughter, and creating cherished memories together. We are eager to provide a stable, loving, and joyful upbringing that allows a child to realize their potential and follow their dreams.

Our Hopes and Dreams:

We dream of a future filled with love, laughter, and shared experiences. We envision family gatherings where our traditions are passed down from generation to generation. We want to create a home where a child feels safe, supported, and encouraged to chase their dreams. Our hearts are open, and we are excited to provide a loving upbringing that nourishes their individuality and helps them become the best version of themselves.

Conclusion:

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and for considering us as potential adoptive parents. We understand that choosing a loving and supportive home for your child is a profound decision, and we feel honored to be considered. If you believe we might be the right fit for your child, we would be overjoyed to welcome them into our hearts and embark on this incredible journey of love, growth, and celebrating our family union together.

Con cariño,

With warmest regards,

Carlos and Maria Andreina

 

 

After finding out about a devastating medical condition, Derek & Megan have decided to adopt a child and start building the family they so desperately want. Please read their full story here.

Dear Birth Mom,

I hope this letter finds you well and brings you comfort and peace. As the possible adoptive parent to your precious baby, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for the incredible gift you are considering giving me.

From the moment I learned about your decision, my heart filled with profound respect for the selflessness and love that has guided you through this journey. Your decision to choose adoption for your baby is a testament to your strength, courage and unwavering devotion to their well-being.

Every day as I hold our child in my arms, I will be reminded of the tremendous bond that connects us all – a bond forged by love, compassion, and the shared desire to provide the best possible future for our little one. Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed, and I want you to know that your baby will be cherished beyond measure.

As we embark on this journey together, I promise to honor and cherish your role in our child’s life. I will always speak of you with reverence and gratitude, ensuring that your legacy of love lives on in our hearts and in the life of our little one.

While words cannot fully convey the depths of my gratitude, please know that you will forever hold a special place in my family. Your courage and love have touched my life in ways that I never thought possible, and for that, I will always be eternally grateful.

See more from Jamie here.

First and foremost, before we talk about us, we want to talk about you. Considering adoption is one of the most selfless, thoughtful, responsible and courageous things a parent can do. So thank you!

Now…. About us…

We were both born and raised in NJ. We both graduated from high school. Afterwards, John went to a Technical School to learn Marine Diesel Mechanics; I went to college in North Carolina to study Psychology and Sports Medicine. We have been married for a year and a half but we have been friends since the year 2000! We met in the Police Academy, became good friends with a little crush on each other (Neither of us would confess!) and we both married other people. We divorced those other people and ran into each other- almost literally!- on the Ocean City Boardwalk in 2021. We talked for a few minutes, decided to meet for lunch a month later and the rest is history.  His niece, who was with him when I ran into him, later told us that she told her Mom that day that we would get married. How about that?!?

 

Aside from loving each other, we really LIKE each other, which is such a rare find. We do everything together. We love our family and friends and spend as much time with them as possible.  We are now both retired police officers. We still work other jobs to stay busy since we were both in our 40’s when we retired.  We both have a lifetime pension and provided benefits. We feel fortunate. A baby would also be covered!

John loooooves to fish and works on boats- he loves them, too! Rayne does tax preparation. We have and continue to work hard to be financially secure. And we always will.

John has amazing parents. We are very close to them and see them often.  We are also close to John’s brother and sister and their families. My (Rayne) parents are both deceased.  Cancer took them both but I survived it three times! I have a younger brother, to whom I don’t speak. Sometimes, families are just that way. It makes me sad. But life goes on…

We are both unable to have biological children so we feel as though getting a chance to be parents another way is nothing but a miracle. I was in IVF many years ago that wasn’t working. Further testing revealed I was riddled with endometriosis and cancer. I had an emergency hysterectomy, dashing my ‘getting pregnant’ dreams.  We have both always wanted a child. We intend to love a child as if it were ours biologically. Our plan is for one of us- if not both- to stop working and care for the baby full time. We will instill in a baby the best values and give him/her so much love. We have a room in our house all ready for baby!

We have the cutest little dog.  Her name is Roxy. She loves her yard, her baths, her toys, her walks, boat rides and car rides.

We love our life; we are so blessed. We live on the water at the shore and see the most beautiful sunsets.  Every night is a different one. We go to work, come home and always have dinner together.  We share all of the chores and shopping. We are always doing something for each other. We go on a “date night” once a month. We talk a lot and seem to be always laughing!

John is very handy. He can fix anything. He built one of our boats- yes, a boat!-a back patio on our house and he rebuilt the boat we have now, just for a couple of examples. I love to decorate, craft and take a ton of pictures, either framing them or making photo albums. I LOVE kids. I’ve been a softball, volleyball and field hockey coach at the middle school and high school levels. I’ve worked at a daycare and I took care of a little girl for 3 years. I was also an athletic trainer after college. John was an Eagle Scout and played baseball and basketball. We love to play tennis together and go for walks. We both love to cook but we also love to go out to eat and try new foods!

Everyone who comes into our home comments about how warm and cozy it is. It’s a beautiful rancher; I think it perfectly represents who we are.

Our goals are to be great parents and stay healthy. We work really hard to eat well and stay active. But we do love our ice cream 😊

Our family and friends are SOOOOO excited for us to have a baby! Everyone is so supportive and they just can’t wait… just like us. We have nieces and nephews who we adore. We’re hoping to add to the cousins! A baby would be so very loved, protected and safe. That, we PROMISE you.

~John and Rayne

Hello!

We can’t wait to share our lives with you so you can see that we are the perfect match for your perfect little one. Our desire to adopt children began before we even started to grow our family!

Patrick and I met at a high school dance when we were 15. From there we became friends and then dated towards the end of high school and throughout college. We got to grow up together and form a loving, strong, playful relationship over the past 20 years! Patrick and I 100% complement one another. We have very similar parenting styles, which creates a very positive and cohesive lifestyle for our children.

Pat was adopted from Guatemala at 3 months old and grew up with a younger biological sibling who was also adopted from Guatemala a year and a half after his adoption. He is a loving and confident person that always puts his family first. He is able to work from home twice a week and on those days, he modified his schedule so he can drop off/pick up our oldest son from school. He works for the Railroad so on the weekends he organizes mini adventures for our family. He provides for us financially, tells the best jokes and puts together some amazing lunches for our children.

My name is Jackie, and I am an 8th grade science teacher. I have a younger brother who is the same age as Pat’s sister. We all went to high school together! As a teacher, I have the summer months off from teaching and I get to spend the time with our children. We take trips to the zoo, aquarium, beach, meet up with friends and so much more. In my spare time I enjoy sewing and crafting. I would consider myself handy so when there is a project to do around the house, I enlist my little helpers and we get it done! My husband would describe me as a loving and patient person.

Our oldest son, James, is 6 years old. He is very caring and loves to help others. Our daughter, Aubrey, is 4 years old. She is independent and tells the best stories. Our youngest son, Michael, is 2 years old. He is strong-willed and loves to join in on the fun. Whatever his brother and sister are up to… he’s right there with them! We are sure Michael is ready to become a big brother to your child. They are all so excited for the newest member of our family. Our family journey has been filled with its ups and downs but we are committed to finding a child to love and support. A larger family has always been our dream! We have three biological children and believe in expanding our family through adoption. Patrick feels very blessed to have been adopted by such a wonderful family and we would like a child to join our family and to be provided with the same love and stability.

We are a diverse family; Patrick is Guatemalan and I am Hungarian and Polish. We bring in our own mix of cultures through food and traditions. For example, the kids (and the adults!!) enjoy cracking cascarones over each other’s heads during Easter (cascarones are hallowed out eggs with confetti inside), Pat plays his nylon string guitar “Spanish style” for the kids, and we celebrate the feast of the seven fishes during Christmas. During Christmas one of our favorite traditions is our family cookie night where we bake different types of cookies with our grandparents and cousins including sugar cookies, Guatemalan cookies and everyone’s favorite… chocolate chip cookies!

Our neighborhood is amazing and filled with growing families. We didn’t know it was possible to have a neighborhood filled with children in so many age groups, but we found it! Our neighbors have become family and are just another support we use while raising our children. Our parents and siblings are very involved in our lives as well. Pat’s sister and many of our cousins have children ranging from ages newborn to ten years old. Let’s just say we have a blast at family gatherings! – lots of little ones, aunts, uncles, and cousins, each involved in celebrating our children’s milestones.

During the school year, my mom babysits Aubrey and Michael twice a week, then the other three days they attend a daycare three minutes from my work. We have been with the daycare since 2019 and they are very excited to meet the newest member of our family.

A day in our lives during the school year starts with breakfast, or “brekie” as the kids call it. We play some music, participate in dance parties, eat, and enjoy each other’s company before we start the day. James, Aubrey and Michael enjoy helping us whip up eggs or pancakes. They are great sous-chefs! After work and school, the kids participate in different activities such as swimming, gymnastics, soccer, baseball and softball. We all eat dinner together and then we usually take a walk around the neighborhood, play board games, or play outside. On the weekends, we enjoy meeting up with friends and family. This can include going to sporting events, supporting cousins at their own games, having play dates or going to the beach. As Catholics, we go to church with our family on Sundays. We usually have a small treat after such as a milkshake or some donuts.

As parents, it is our goal to create confident, kind, and loving children. Our kids consider each other best friends and are each other’s number one supporters. We are proud of the children we are raising, and we are overjoyed with the thought of being able to care for, love and support your child. Please reach out with any questions. We want you to feel confident with choosing our growing family for your child.

Dear Birth Parent,

Hi, I’m Morissa. I want to start by expressing how much I respect your courage and love. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me—I’m grateful to be a part of your journey in whatever way feels right for you. Click here to watch my introductory video.

About Me

I grew up in New Jersey, surrounded by the kind of love that fills a home with warmth and laughter. My parents have always been my biggest supporters, showing me that family means being there for each other through everything. Growing up, our days were filled with arts and crafts, music, and Sunday dinners where stories were shared and hearts were full. Those moments shaped me into someone who values connection, joy, and nurturing the people I love.

I’m driven, and education has been a huge part of my journey. I earned my doctorate in literature with a focus on philosophy and was honored to be named a Forbes 30 Under 30. But the truest parts of me are found at home—being present, creating a space that feels safe and welcoming, and cherishing life’s little moments.

 

 

Sharing my world are my two rescue pups, Mo and Bernie. Mo is full of playful energy and curiosity, while Bernie is the calm, cuddly one who loves a warm spot to nap. They bring so much joy and would make wonderful, gentle friends to a child.

 

Home and Community

I live in a spacious estate on two acres in Morganville, New Jersey. It’s a home designed for moments that matter: running around the yard, doing crafts at the kitchen table, and snuggling up for storytime in the evenings. The area is peaceful and surrounded by nature, perfect for days of exploring and play. And just a short drive away are parks, the beach, and cultural spots where a child can experience all the fun and wonder of growing up. My parents live close by, and we still have our weekly family dinners and holiday get-togethers full of laughter and tradition.

Values and Parenting Philosophy

I believe in raising a child with love, respect, and encouragement. My approach to parenting is rooted in empathy—guiding and teaching in a way that helps a child feel understood and valued. I want to create a home where curiosity is celebrated, where a child knows they can express themselves freely and be loved unconditionally. Education, creativity, and kindness are the pillars I want to share, just as my parents did for me.

Hopes and Dreams

I can’t wait to share a life full of little adventures and cozy days at home. From bedtime stories and baking cookies to exploring nature and creating art, my dream is to make sure a child feels cherished, supported, and celebrated. I’m committed to honoring their story and the love that brought them to me.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a bit. I deeply respect your journey and the choices you are making out of love. My heart and home are open, ready for the joy of building a life with a little one to love.

 


Step-parent adoption:

Our Adoption is official!!! Thank you so much for your guidance, patience, and most of all your love for your job to help families like mine.

You are forever in our hearts and thank you always for being great!

 

Adoption of relative/child already in the home:

Thank you so much. You are both wonderful and have made our family so happy. We were truly blessed to have you both in our lives. Thank you for caring and doing such a great job. I can see that you both put the needs and safety of the children you work with above all and we appreciate that more then you’ll ever know. Thank you from my entire family and God Bless you both always.

 

Adoption 2 children:

When we started our adoption journey years ago, we researched countless agencies to help us start our family. We read mission statements, evaluated fee structures, and attended information sessions. There was so much information to process and we felt extremely overwhelmed when it came time for us to make a commitment. A serendipitous encounter with an old family friend and fellow adoptive parent was all it took. She introduced us to the Children’s Home Society of NJ and we immediately moved forward with them based on her recommendation. We could have never known at the time that this decision would be the best one of our lives. The agency has placed two beautiful children with us and we can safely say that our family would not be what it is today without them.

What stands out to us is the CHSofNJ’s effort to form a bond and build trust with both adoptive families and birth parents. Their goal is to facilitate healthy relationships and happy families. As we navigated the home study, waiting period, and eventual placement process, we constantly found ourselves relying on the experienced counselors to guide us through uncharted waters. They were there when we met a birth mother for the first time, when we went to the hospital nursery to meet our child for the first time, and when we went to court to finalize the adoption. This holds true for both adoptions we’ve been blessed with. They always show up, especially when it counts! The agency has also served as the intermediary for communications (such as photographs and life updates) between us and the birth mothers, which is very valuable to us. We love that the relationship we have with the agency goes beyond just placement. They truly are our partner on this lifelong journey.

The CHSofNJ is an institution that has existed for over 125 years, and it is definitely a benefit to know that their mission has stood the test of time and will continue to do so.

Adoption one child:

In Spring 2018, my husband and I decided to look into adoption, we were both over 40, had been married for a year, were house hunting and wanted to complete our family. I found CHS online, I liked that they had been in business for over 100 years and served the community. We went for our first appointment in June 2018 and I knew that this was how we were going to complete our family. Everyone we met from CHS has fully and lovingly supported us throughout our journey to be a family. The staff were always available to answer my many, varied, crazy questions. I truly believe that when we got our call the angel who called us was just as happy as we were.

We got our call on July 31, 2019, and on August 1, 2019 we brought home our perfect, gorgeous son, Danny.

Post adoption, I feel just as much support from CHS as I did pre-adoption. The agency helped facilitate a meeting with the police officer who delivered our son and is trying to help us connect with Danny’s brother’s family.

We firmly believe that CHS is full of amazing people who want to help make a family. I feel supported and like a part of their family. They know my son and want to stay involved in our lives. If this is the path you decide to choose, I know they will do their best to help complete your family.

 

Adoption one child:

We know the wait is long as the process is tedious. Hold on do not give up on hope! Seven years ago, we got a phone call about a beautiful baby girl that was ready to be adopted. Mind you there’s not much notice. Sometimes and no matter how much you prepare material wise. It’s never enough. Back on June 26, 2015 we picked up our daughter at three days old, she was absolutely perfect and still is to this day children’s home. Society is wonderful they give 200% in trying to give everyone a child as fast as possible. The home study is wonderful just a suggestion it really is worth setting up your own nursery, having your infant or your toddler sleep in their own room. Our daughter is so happy go lucky extremely smart she knows she’s adopted. We never hit it from her. We used the word adoption from the get go. Read your child books that focus on understanding adoption it makes it easy as well as fun for your child to understand how special they are because they are adopted. Hang in there. The best day of your life could be any day!!!! Wishing everyone an exciting journey through the adoption process.

 

Adoption two children:

CHS of NJ has been a part of my family before I was even born. My grandmother was a foster parent for them in the 1960s, eventually adopting who is my uncle today. When my husband and I were exploring different ways of building the family we had always dreamed of, it was natural for us to look at CHS of NJ first. Since then, they have been supportive of us in every way imaginable. We are now the ecstatic parents of a boy and girl, both adopted from CHS of NJ shortly after their births. While their adoption stories are vastly different, I never had the anxiety or fears that could accompany the process. CHS of NJ covered every base, both for us as the adoptive parents and for the birth parents as well. CHS of NJ has facilitated

agreements between us and their birth parents that are beneficial to all involved and I couldn’t imagine the life we have today if it were not for them.

 

Adoption one child:

Our official journey of building on our family started back when we got married in the end of 2019.

Adoption was always our main choice as we wanted to be able to impact a child’s life for the better. Our journey felt like the two longest years of life, especially due to COVID. But everyone said when it’s right we will know it and it will happen. So in the beginning of 2022 we matched but then we suffered an interruption-the baby was born and mom decided to parent. Which was heartbreaking, but in hindsight, destiny.

Because less than two months later we matched again and a few days later our son, Jaxon was born.

From the first day in the hospital meeting our little man, we felt the connection and knew this was our family’s destiny.

Even with the interruption and the waiting through a pandemic, OUR SON CAME HOME!

He was always meant to be ours and we were always meant to be his. Together we are family.

“Ohana means family”

– Nick and Lou