We promote adoption as a positive option for those facing unplanned pregnancies.
May 2023: State Legislatures
First, wishing
a very Happy Mother's Day
to All!
New Bills to Advance Open Adoption!
As many States say "no" to abortion, we want them to offer a constructive option and solution -- adoption. This year, Unplanned Good embarks upon a new program, discussing with various State Legislatures how they can make it easier for women facing unplanned pregnancy to choose adoption.
Our draft bills would 1) increase awareness about adoption and 2) expand birthmother care.
Together we can break down some of the obstacles that women face, and replace them with assistance.
Starting with Idaho and Tennessee
In mid-March, I had two days of meetings at Idaho's State Capitol.
Idaho's Lt. Governor, his Chief of Staff, the head of the Committee on Health & Welfare and a member of the House of Representatives are on board with this plan and want to help. It was an exciting, encouraging trip! My partner Ali is working on the legislators in Tennessee. We are gathering info now on how the most adoption-friendly states work and doing a great deal of research to determine what we want to propose to the State Legislatures. Stay tuned!
I'm going back to Idaho again next week to further refine the content of the bills we're drafting.
Stay tuned!
These 13 States could make choosing adoption easier.
We plan to help them!
We want to help these States advocate for adoption.
<== If you know anyone in these States - in the Governors' offices or the Legislatures, please let me know so we can follow up on those contacts.
Email, call or text me!
Besides Idaho, the States we're targeting next are Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, North & South Dakota, Utah, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.
As a reminder:
All of this work, and especially the travel, takes money. If you can donate to Unplanned Good, your donation is tax-deductible and greatly appreciated!
Please go to https://www.unplannedgood.org/donate
Honoring Birth Moms on Mothers' Day
My friends at BraveLove regularly host birth mom dinners. Today, they’re hosting 10 more dinners nationwide - so that birth moms can meet each other.
Watch Ashley's story here. "It was 15 years before I met another birth mom." (bravelove.org)
It’s about connecting over a shared experience and reminding birth moms that they are not alone. The dinners are underwritten by BraveLove donors and hosted by local birth moms. You can donate to BraveLove here.
Spreading the Word about
Open Adoption in Silicon Valley
New Foster / Adopt Ministry!
In March, Westgate Church kicked off an exciting new care ministry for foster & adoptive families. I was honored to be the keynote speaker that night as families beginning their foster or adoption journeys learned about resources available to them.
Here's my talk.
We can help each other along the way!
We are community.
No one needs to walk this journey alone.
Are You a Birth Mother??
BIRTH MOM SURVEY HERE
If you have ever placed a baby for adoption, please take a minute to complete this survey about post-placement support for birth parents.
We want your input!
Pro-Choice Pro-Adoption
It's Time for a Loving, Positive Response to Unplanned Pregnancy.
Buy it here on Amazon. Review it here.
The Book Promo interviews & podcasts are on our Unplanned Good speaking page, here.
WE NEED YOU!!
How can you help? Here are our top three requests:
1. BUY THE BOOK. It was released in National Adoption Month! You can buy it now on Amazon.
2. LEAVE A REVIEW ON AMAZON.
You can help spread the word about this book by posting a brief comment on Amazon. That helps SO much because it elevates the book in search results. And it only takes a minute!
3. HELP PROMOTE THE BOOK.
Now that it's published, there are many opportunities for you to help promote the book on FB and Instagram.
Check out our library of social media posts we made for you, or simply share the book with a friend.
MY BLOG WAS PUBLISHED ON ADOPTING.COM!
"Open Adoption: A Changed Reality" was published on Adopting.com. It's a part of spreading the word about open adoption as an option.
I'm happy to share it with you here.
Phrase of the Day: Open Adoption
Open adoption is a form of adoption in which the biological and adoptive families have each other's contact information and varying degrees of contact with each other, by phone, in person and/or through social media.
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 0.5% 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.
Want to help Unplanned Good?
Here's what we need:
You can help!
It's easy! Sign up to automate your donations; they can start at just $10 per month. Sign up to give your tax deductible gift monthly via credit card here.
Thank you!
Tell a Friend
You know people who've been touched by adoption. Ask them to write their short story for our web site and sign up for our newsletter.
"My Mom encouraged me, and that made all the difference!
I needed to know that she'd stand by me through this and support the adoption plan."
Like us on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and like us!
Help us to get the word out!
Submit your story!
Please forward this newsletter to someone you know has been touched by adoption. Ask them to sign up for our monthly news here and/or contribute their story to our web site.
I hope you have a beautiful Mothers' Day celebration!
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.
