Hurricane Can't Hinder Adoption
Posted by:
Volunteers of America on
December 20, 2006 at
12:17PM EST
Aug. 29, 2005, was to be a special day for Michael and Yvette. They were to meet a birthmother in Volunteers of America’s Adoption and Maternity program who had selected them as adoptive parents for her newborn daughter.
Of course, the hurricane canceled everything. Baby Alyssa, who was in a receiving home awaiting the adoption, evacuated safely with the receiving home mother to Monroe. The birthmother went to Texas. Michael and Yvette were in a state of worry.
Despite spotty communication, Adoption and Maternity Social Worker Lori Arceneaux finally contacted all parties and, with everyone’s consent, arranged for the adoption to be completed in Monroe. Michael and Yvette joyously traveled there to meet their daughter three weeks after the hurricane hit--a miracle considering all the obstacles.
Soon afterward, Volunteers of America committed to keeping the Adoption and Maternity program active in New Orleans, allowing more children and parents to experience the joy of becoming families.
