Adoption As An Option For Women Facing Unplanned Pregnancy with UnplannedGood.org: Podcast Episode 76

Every year, around 1.6 million babies are born to teens in the U.S. and almost all of these teens do not even know that adoption is an option for them. Of these 1.6 million babies, only 18,000 are placed for adoption every year. UnplannedGood.org was founded by Terri Marcroft to promote adoption as a viable, reasonable option for those dealing with unplanned pregnancies, such that the result is good for all involved. As an adoptive mom, Terri knows how fortunate she is to have her daughter, and also how very rare her story is. Not quite ten years into raising her daughter, she did some research and found that less than 1% of teens facing unplanned pregnancy choose adoption for their babies. Digging into the reasons why that is so, Terri conducted several focus groups in her home and discovered that most women facing unplanned pregnancy simply don’t realize that adoption is an option. “Think about being able to encourage a teen in your life in the direction of adoption – and maybe some unplanned good can come from that.”—Terri Marcroft Why This Mission Matters: Right now there is likely a teen who is facing an unplanned pregnancy and is probably feeling very scared and confused. She may have a lot of questions and she needs honest answers. She will likely turn to an adult in her life that she trusts most. Studies have shown that girls are 50% more likely to see their pregnancy through and make an adoption plan when a trusted adult in their lives suggests this path. Someone influential in the girl’s life — her Mom or Dad, her teacher or pastor — must plant the seed. UnplannedGood.org helps with this. They get the word out through… * Their website, which contains tons of resources and inspiring real life stories about the beauty of open adoption from the point of view of women who have chosen adoption for their babies, adoptive parents and adoptees.* Their monthly newsletter, which has gone out on the 10th of each month since 2009.* Speaking to local and regional groups to raise awareness about adoption.* Partnering with the local pregnancy medical clinics who refer interested clients to UnplannedGood.org to learn about adoption. What you’ll hear on this episode: * Why the mission of UnplannedGood.org is important for YOU.* How and why Terri adopted her daughter as a baby. * How and why she founded UnplannedGood.org in 2008.* What she says is the #1 thing to check out at UnplannedGood.org.* How Terri has some amazing support in her organization with board members that include: a birthmother who placed her baby for adoption when she was 17 and is now a social worker, a mom who is also a Pastor at a local church, an adoptive father who is passionate about adoption, and an adoptive mother who loves her daughter’s birthmom almost as much as she loves her own daughter.* What has surprised Terri the most about adoption over the years.* What the future plans are for UnplannedGood.org and how you can be a part of it. * Find out how to get more info and receive the monthly newsletter from Unplannedgood.org. Links we talk about in this episode: * UnplannedGood.org – Terri’s fantastic non-profit organization that is all about promoting adoption as a positive option for anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy. The site is packed with great resources and information including amazing personal stories from birthmoms,