OFM_Profile_Childrens_Home_Society_Adoption_1120_Profile 10 / 29 / 20 4 : 36 PM Page 1 ADVERTISEMENT B U S I N E S S T L I G H T S P O child , it’s such a beautiful experience on both sides — for those wanting the children and for the children in foster care who want a forever family . That mix right there is what makes it so Forever Families beautiful . ” Ellis and her husband eventually adopted a Children’s Home Society of Florida provides forever homes young boy , who they say has brought joy and love to their lives and completed their family . for children and supports parents who are eager to adopt . “ He turned five the day after our adoption . by JULIE SHANNON We look at it as he was adopted then started the next chapter of his life in a completely new , fresh start , ” Ellis says . “ He is a miracle . He was a little boy who didn't talk a year and a half ago and is one of the many services this organization now he’s spewing out words and talking up a offers to the Central Florida community , as it storm . He’s learned so much and he’s doing focuses on “ changing odds to opportunities for great things . He has a shirt that says ‘ this kid will children and families through high - impact pro - change the world , ’ and I truly believe he will gramming that creates a pathway to well - being because of the great support systems he’s had , and life - long success , ” according to Regional and Executive Director Sherri Gonzales . CHS did that for him . ” “ Children’s Home Society of Florida ( CHS ) Ellis and her husband are thinking about works diligently to find the right family ready to adopting a second child down the road and provide the forever home children have been hope CHS can add another piece to their family . waiting for , ” Gonzales says . “ At CHS , we care - “ With Yolanda and CHS , we would love to fully recruit , train and support adoptive parents adopt a little girl , ” she says . who are eager to welcome home a child through November is National Adoption Month . adoption . We have adoption specialists that pro - Families normally come together in the court - vide house for the adoption finalizations , but due to training and support throughout the entire COVID - 19 , this year’s celebration will be dif - process . We carefully match children with fami - ferent with the courtrooms performing the final - lies that have strengths that can meet the unique izations virtually . Gonzales says it will still be a needs of each child . ” celebration nonetheless and the start of a new “ Our case manager , Yolanda , was amazing , ” chapter for these soon - to - be forever families . Ellis recalls when they were going through the “ It’s one of the most beautiful experiences to adoption process . “ She always answered when observe and be a part of . Families are united , this I’d email or text her and was always on the is your mom and dad , this is your new family lookout for us , finding us the perfect match . ” and it’s a forever situation , ” Gonzales While children are waiting to be adopted , says . “ I CHS offers various programs and resources , don’t think there’s anything greater than being a essica Ellis always saw herself adopting or always focusing on the “ whole child ” and pro - part of that . ” fostering a child at some point . It’s no sur - viding opportunities that will help them thrive . prise considering she works in the educa - “ Many children who are waiting to be tion field with kids and most of all , she J adopted are also served through other CHS pro - loves children . grams , such as counseling , our community part - This thought started to become a reality in nership schools or mentoring , ” Gonzales says . 2018 when she had a cancer scare , underwent “ We also work with their foster parents and surgery and ultimately wasn’t able to have her caregivers to help connect them to own biological children . Longing for a family , enrichment Ellis and her husband talked about the possi - opportunities and activities . ” bility of going through in vitro fertilization to While there is a variety of reasons people have children biologically , an expensive treat - looking to adopt come to CHS , their shared ment . goal is to create their forever family . “ Not that we don’t want biological children , “ Whether like Jessica , prospective parents but we both agreed we never would pay all of are unable to have biological children , or like that money when there are so many children in many others , they desire to provide a home for the world who need a home and parents to pro - our community’s children waiting for a family , vide them what the world has to offer , ” she it is so meaningful for us to provide a service that says . Children’s Home Society will allow them to create a forever family , ” “ We knew then we were going to look into Gonzales says . “ We see so many kids in the adoption . ” of Florida foster system that ‘ age out ’ at 18 and never get The couple reached out to the Children’s Multiple locations | ( 321 ) 397 - 3000 an opportunity to have that forever family . To Home Society of Florida where they signed up be able to pair Jessica and her husband with a for a class to become adoptive parents . Adoption CHSFL.org 18 ORLANDO FAMILY november 2020 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM