A Family For Every Child
A Family For Every Child
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For further information, please call 877-343-2856 or email matching@afamilyforeverychild.org
MONIQUE
MONIQUE

MONIQUE
Oregon

Basic Info

MONIQUE

Age: 58
Sex: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: Catholic

Child Preferences

Age: Infant to 15 years old
Sex: Either
Max Number of Children: 2
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian, African American, Asian, Native American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Mixed, Bi-Racial, Unknown


Special Needs the Family is Open To: Mild Physical/Medical Disability (Open to Discussion), Animal Allergies, Asthma, Drug Allergies, Environmental Allergies, Food Allergies, Defiant, Difficulty in Attaching, Difficulty Making Friends, Lying, Manipulative, Poor Social Skills, Self-Abuse, Stealing, Born with HIV issues or HIV Positive, Drug Addicted at Birth, Failure to Thrive, Fetal Alcohol Effected, Low Birth Weight or Premature, Prenatal Drug Exposure, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Blind, Deaf, Hearing Impaired, Speech Delays - Mild, Speech Delays - Moderate, Vision Impaired, Anorexia/Bulimia, Hoarding, Overeating, Pica, Academically behind due to poor attendance, Cognitive Delay - Mild, Expulsion(s), Has Behavior Problems in School, Mild Learning Disabilities, Moderate Learning Disabilities, Speech or Language Impairment, Suspension(s), One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Depression, One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, One/Both Parents Have Alcohol Addiction, One/Both Parents Have Drug Addiction, One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Bipolar, Exposed to Domestic Violence, One/Both Parents Have Had a Mental Diagnosis, Child in Residential Treatment, Child has had a disrupted adoption, Multiple Placements, Residential Treatment History, Parents Willing to Seek Guardianship, Child on Probation / Parole, Convicted of Theft, Previously Incarcerated, ADHD, AIDS, Arthritis, Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Heart Disorder: May Require Surgery, Hemophilia, HIV, Missing Limbs: May Require Prosthesis, Seizures, Adjustment Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Requires Medication For Psychiatric Condition/Mental Health Diagnosis, Requires Counseling/Therapy, Runaway - Occasionally, Runaway - Past, Willing to Maintain Contact via Mail with Bio Family, Willing to Maintain Contact with Past Foster Parents, Willing to Maintain Contact with Bio Grandparents & Other Relatives, Willing to Maintain Contact with Bio Siblings, Child Identifies as LGBT, History of Sexually Acting Out, Sexually Abused in the Past, Sexually Active, Alcohol Use, Marijuana, Smokes Cigarettes

Environment

State: Oregon
Neighborhood: Suburban
Residency:
Children in the Home: 0
Pet(s): Cat(s)

Work

MONIQUE

Occupation: Patient Financial Coordinator

Adoption Agency

Agency: A Family for Every Child
Worker: Brittany Bucholz
Worker: b.bucholz@afamilyforeverychild.org
City: Eugene
State: Oregon
Zip: 97402

Family Description

I am a single female looking to adopt 1-2 children of the same gender, any ethnicity, age infant to 15. I would consider children with minor or medically correctable conditions, a child with special needs such as PTSD, Attachment disorder, learning or developmental delays. I live in a two-bedroom, 2 bath apartment in a small, family-friendly complex on a dead-end street. My home is calm, comfortable and welcoming. I share the apartment with two spoiled cats. The complex is located in a residential area but has quick access to both Eugene and Springfield. There are schools, shopping and multiple resources available nearby. There is easy access to bike paths and parks throughout the city, there are frequent festivals and events to explore. The mountains and coast are only an hour or two away. I have completed extensive training online and through readings & webinars. I will continue to seek out resources and assistance after placement. I was raised Catholic but have not attended church regularly as an adult. I would actively support any religious interest a child expresses. I would honor ongoing contact with birth relatives or foster families if it is in the best interest of the child. I have friends who are exciting about this next step and have a wide variety of experiences to share. My family is spread across the country but excited about my decision and supportive. My parents are retired and accessible by a direct flight. I have wanted to take this step for a long time and I am eager to begin this next stage. I would love to share my interests and traditions, as well as learn and respect theirs. I enjoy celebrating holidays, travel, shopping, the arts and cooking. I like spending time at home but would appreciate the chance to explore all the area has to offer.

Preference Description

I am looking to adopt up to two children of the same gender between the ages of 0 and 15 years old, of any ethnic background. Would consider minor or medically correctable conditions, special needs such as PTSD, attachment, learning or development delays

The DEROUIN Family Profile

I am looking to adopt a child or children of any gender. I am leaning more towards a girl or girls but I have not ruled out a boy or boys. I would prefer a younger child but I am open to ages up to 15. I currently only have the ability to accommodate a single child or two children of the same gender. I do not have a racial preference. As a Caucasian female, I cannot profess to understand all the intricacies of growing up with a different racial background but I would work tirelessly to make sure my child felt welcomed and secure. I would work to incorporate experiences that were familiar to the child or new to us both. In the past two years of preparing for adoption, I have read many books & articles and taken webinars on a wide variety of topics. While it is impossible to be prepared for any scenario, I continue to educate myself on issues and techniques. I feel ready to accept the challenge of mild, correctable medical issues and treatable psychological concerns. I am not equipped to handle major medical issues or the challenges of severe violence or the abuse of animals. As a single parent, I feel more suited to parent a single child but I appreciate the comfort and stability that can be generated by a sibling bond. If a child was placed with me who had other relatives elsewhere, I would strive to honor any connections that were in their best interest to continue. If the child wished to have contact with other siblings, former foster families or friends that were important to them, I would work to continue those relationships.

Introduction

I currently work full time for a local medical facility focusing on women's health issues and concerns. I am a Patient Financial Coordinator, working mainly in the business office verifying insurance and estimating patient costs. Prior to COVID, I worked for a different medical organization in a similar job. I currently work in an office setting but the company has many employees with flexible work schedules. I have a short commute and excellent benefits. My downstairs neighbor has expressed a willingness to jump in if any need arose for a pick up from school or other situation during regular work hours. I live alone and have been a homebody during the pandemic. I did cultivate in an interest in some new hobbies including sewing masks, painting barn quilts, tie-dying and gardening. I enjoy shopping thrift stores and have decorated my apartment with an eclectic mix of unique finds. I collect cookbooks but rarely cook an elaborate meal for just myself. I look forward to sharing new recipes with a child. I enjoy celebrating holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will cook an entire meal for a holiday, trying new recipes or old favorites. I prefer to stay home but will entertain other single friends. I would honor a child's past traditions while working to incorporate new ones for us all. I have enjoyed traveling and exercise (walking and biking) in the past. I would love to share these passions with a child, or start new activities with them. My home life is pretty quiet at the moment. I enjoy playing word games, chilling with the cats and watching television. A simple night at home might be just the level of excitement a child craves.

Home and Community

I live in a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in residential section of Eugene, Oregon (population 170,000) with two spoiled cats (Henry & Quincy). It is a small, family-friendly complex with a mix of residents. It is nestled in a quiet residential area with easy access to Eugene/Springfield by road, bus lines or bike paths. There is shopping within walking distance and several good schools in the area. Eugene is located near the junction of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. It is about two hours south of Portland, and less than two hours from the Oregon coast or the Cascades. It is home to the University of Oregon, the Saturday Market and an eclectic mix of arts and culture, shopping, dining, entertainment and sports.

Parenting Experience

I have not had any children myself, so far. I was raised in a traditional family, with three siblings, in a rural/suburban area of New Jersey (we also lived in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania). My sister was adopted (when I was 6, she was 7). It was a different time and adoption and trauma/abuse, etc., were not understood as a lifelong challenge. In the training I have completed, I can see so many missed opportunities or unnecessary challenges. I have nieces and nephews, friends with children. I have taken the Foundations Training, read many books and articles on a variety of adoption issues and adaptive techniques, TV shows and movies. All the training in the world is only theoretical but I continue to seek out new information and experiences.

Support

I have friends and co-workers who support my decision and will be invaluable support during this process. I do not have any immediate family in the area. My parents are retired but only a flight away. My youngest brother's family is genuinely excited for this new adventure; additionally, they are committed to be guardians if the need ever arose. There are many services and places for support, therapy, respite, etc. in the Eugene area. I will be cultivating relationships with other parents who are going through similar situations. I have friends with a variety of backgrounds and experiences which will be beneficial. Some are older, even grandparents, with the knowledge of parenting their children and grandchildren. One friend has been a kinship foster parent to two grandchildren; one friend has provided respite care for a disabled teen for many years. Another friend has helped care for her children and their children; grappling with health issues and parenting challenges. Many have done all this as single parents, offering insight and guidance on the difficulties of being both parents to a child. I have several neighbors with children, as well as an older neighbor who is eager to help. I am not naive - I know it will be difficult and I will seek out for every possible assistance when the time comes (or beforehand, as much as possible). I will reach out to AFFEC and my caseworker for advice, as well as the community of other adoptive parents in the area. I will actively work with providers, schools, daycare if necessary and therapists to ensure that this new family has every opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Motivation to Adopt

I initially thought about adoption a lifetime ago, as a graduate student. I attended a meeting of prospective parents and a few follow up events. I believed that I needed to be married and have a house, before I could fully pursue a plan to adopt a child. I moved many times but never quite attained any of the goals required and time passed. I attended an informational session with AFFEC and once again though it was possible but not quite attainable. I was still single, had some debt and was nowhere close to buying a home. I kept in touch but never quite committed to this agency. Finally a staff member reached out to me directly & we set up a visit with a caseworker. Almost immediately, COVID hit and I was furloughed from my job. Undeterred, I continued the process. I used the free time to complete my Foundations Training, reduce my debt and improve my health with some weight loss and new hobbies. I was working as temporary employee and living life in limbo but I persisted. Too much time passed but I am finally done with my Home Study, have a new permanent job and I am ready to fully commit to bringing a child home. I have a peaceful room decorated in soothing colors, a home filled with books and movies, cookbooks and cats.