Our Work
Building Strong Bonds Through Education, Advocacy, and Emotional Support
Empowering Parents with Wisdom and Knowledge
Our education and learning programs are designed to equip prospective parents not just with the legal and procedural knowledge required, but with the deep emotional and psychological understanding necessary to parent an adopted child successfully and sensitively throughout their lives. This includes mandatory, multi-session workshops covering essential topics such as attachment theory, managing identity development, understanding the concept of a child’s “first family,” and the specific skills needed for trauma-informed parenting, regardless of the child’s age at placement. We provide extensive training on effective communication strategies for open adoption relationships, helping parents navigate contact agreements and difficult conversations with grace and respect for the birth family. Our comprehensive curriculum, developed by certified social workers and child development specialists, ensures that our families are fully prepared to answer tough questions, celebrate the unique aspects of their child’s story, and create an environment of unconditional acceptance, fostering resilience and emotional security from day one and for decades to follow.
A Promise of Partnership Extending Beyond Placement
The genesis of SHAPE OF MY HEART ADOPTIONS is deeply rooted in a personal understanding of the transformative power of adoption, having been founded by individuals whose lives were directly touched by this journey. Our organization was born from a realization that while many adoption agencies excelled at the transactional and legal aspects, there was a profound need for an agency that prioritized the emotional, long-term health of the adoption triad—the birth family, the adoptive family, and the child. This mission was initiated over two decades ago, stemming from a desire to create a process that was not only fully compliant and legally sound but was also infused with genuine warmth, empathy, and ethical transparency, addressing the concerns and anxieties that often accompany such a monumental decision. The initial spark was simply to offer a better, more humane, and better-supported way to build a family, grounded in respect for everyone involved and establishing a framework of support that would endure for years to come.
Testimonials
Voices of Our Adoptive Community
“Our path to becoming parents was a challenging one, but working with SHAPE OF MY HEART ADOPTIONS changed everything. From the moment we attended the introductory seminar, we felt a profound sense of clarity and support that had been missing elsewhere. Our coordinator, Sarah, was meticulous in managing the complex home study process, but more importantly, she was a true emotional anchor, guiding us through the wait with weekly check-ins and genuine empathy. When the call finally came, the coordination with the hospital and the birth family was handled with such grace and respect, honoring the emotional gravity of the situation for everyone involved. The ongoing peer support group they connected us to has been invaluable, providing us with real-world advice and a network of friends who truly understand this unique kind of joy. We felt prepared, supported, and truly seen by the entire team, and we are eternally grateful for the love they helped us bring into our home.”
– Jessica and Mark P., Parent of Infant
“As a birth mother, the decision to place my child for adoption was the hardest choice of my life, but the support I received from SHAPE OF MY HEART ADOPTIONS made it a path of healing and dignity. Maria, my counselor, was available to me day and night, offering non-judgmental counseling and ensuring I was fully informed of all my options and rights before I made any final decisions. They prioritized my well-being and ensured my choice for an open adoption was respected and formalized with clarity, allowing me to maintain a healthy, loving connection to my child and the wonderful adoptive family I chose. The agency’s commitment to long-term support means I still have a place to turn for counseling, and I know that the arrangement is managed ethically. They truly embody their mission of compassion, and I highly recommend them to any birth parent seeking a supportive and respectful experience during a difficult time.”
– Sarah T., Birth Parent
“The post-placement support at SHAPE OF MY HEART ADOPTIONS is what truly sets them apart from the other agencies we researched. Our child came to us at age three, and we knew we would need specialized resources for managing attachment and early life transitions. Marcus, the Family Support Specialist, immediately connected us to an adoption-competent therapist within their network, who made a massive difference in our bonding experience during the first six months. We actively participate in the annual Family Wellness Retreat, which has become a cherished tradition, allowing our child to see that their family’s story is unique and special, and connecting us with other parents navigating similar developmental stages. Their commitment isn’t just to finding a family, but to ensuring that the family thrives for years to come, and we are so grateful for their ongoing and reliable presence in our life.”
– Kenji L., Parent of Preschooler
“We had been trying to adopt for several years and had unfortunately experienced disappointment with a previous agency that lacked transparency. From the first meeting with SHAPE OF MY HEART ADOPTIONS, we were struck by their honesty, ethical practice, and deep commitment to keeping us fully informed about the process and the realistic timelines involved. The education curriculum was incredibly robust, covering complex topics like transracial adoption and cultural competence with sensitivity and depth, making us feel truly prepared for the responsibilities of our journey. The legal coordination provided by David was flawless, removing a huge amount of stress during the finalization process, which was completed efficiently and without unexpected hurdles. This agency provided not just a placement, but a supportive community and the confidence we needed to embrace parenthood fully. We highly recommend them for their credibility and genuinely caring staff.”
– Michael and Elena B., Parents of Toddler