Special Issue: Summit Recap

LIVE ACTION Lawmakers Summit

Thanks to your support, I was able to attend the LiveAction Lawmakers' Summit in August, and it was just fabulous!

The Summit was a great success, and I was so very pleased to participate on behalf of Unplanned Good.

Me with Dr. Ben Carson, above. He delivered the lunch keynote after our adoption track.

Three Idaho legislators attended: Senator Nichols, Representatives Gallagher and Scott. Their friendly faces were in the front row encouraging me as I delivered my speech.

Live Action Lawmakers Summit

So grateful to have the chance to share Idaho's new pro-adoption legislation with the 68 lawmakers who attended this Summit from 38 States!

It was such a fabulous opportunity to spread the word about the adoption bills we worked on in Idaho last year! This was the venue to let other States know about the key pro-adoption issues of education and birth mother support.

Our adoption track was Saturday morning. First, my dear friend Dominique spoke about choosing adoption. She did a truly great job of sharing her intimate story of how & why she chose adoption. The audience of legislators learned that a "birth mother" is just like your daughter or niece: a beautiful soul who faced challenges ... like all of us!

Then I explained our goals of 1) raising awareness about adoption as an option for women facing unplanned pregnancy, and 2) the need to support women who choose adoption. I shared the three bills we got passed into law last year (if you missed those, check our web site policy page here) demonstrating Idaho's leadership in adoption legislation. I provided bill templates so the lawmakers could go back home and pass similar legislation in the coming year.

This was an extremely worthwhile conference and I'm feeling blessed to have been able to attend and present. Unplanned Good was there thanks to YOUR support. We are SO grateful to your response when we really needed you!

Above: Idaho lawmakers L-R:
Rep. Jaycene Gallagher, Sen Tammy Nichols, me and Rep Heather Scott.

Below: Our adoption track featured a very lively, engaged 30-minute Q&A with the lawmakers.

Support our Policy Work

Please help us continue this work. There's much more we hope to do!
Donate here; one-time or monthly.

OPEN ADOPTION;
It's Not Like the Olden Days!
All of this is about spreading the word about open adoption -- a reasonable option for women facing unplanned pregnancy. The 1970s and 80s were all about closed adoptions. Then we discovered the beauty of open adoption. Learn more about open adoption in this short video.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fewer than 1% of women facing unplanned pregnancy make an adoption plan?
When they do, it's because an adult in their life encouraged them to consider adoption?
There are over one million U.S. couples waiting now to adopt?

Check out our website at www.UnplannedGood.org/
Comments? Email us, at UnplannedGood@gmail.com
Submit stories, testimonials, questions or comments.
Why are we doing this?
Young women are 50% more likely to make an adoption plan when the trusted adult in their life suggests it to them. Otherwise, most girls don't give it a minute's thought, and choose between abortion or single parenting. That's why we need to get this on the radar of more people.

Please forward this newsletter to someone you know who has been touched by adoption. Ask them to sign up for our monthly news here and/or contribute their story to our web site.
Thank you so much for your continued encouragement & support of Unplanned Good.
Terri

About Unplanned Good

We promote adoption as a positive option for those facing unplanned pregnancies. It can be so very good (and beautiful!) for all involved.

Unplanned Good is reaching out to both teens and their parents, to let them know that adoption is an option. Studies have shown that young women are 50% more likely to see their pregnancy through and make an adoption plan when an adult suggests this path.

Please visit our site, and pass it on. Read the encouraging, heartfelt stories there. Send in your own story, and ask a friend to do the same.