Get News from the Home!
Stay Connected:
The Perfect Match
 |
| Mikayla celebrates her adoption with her mother Liz. |
Becoming an adoptive parent was something Liz True had wanted to do for a long time. On November 21, 2008, National Adoption Day, that vision became a reality. Liz officially adopted Mikayla Calivere, a very spirited and fun-loving 10-year-old.
After a lot of thought to be sure she was ready for the job of being a single parent—emotionally, professionally and financially —Liz began her adoption quest two years before at a Jordan’s Furniture Family Connections Party. Although Mikayla was at the event with her social worker, that isn’t where they first met. It wasn’t until February 2008, after being introduced to The Home’s Adoption Program, that Liz and Mikayla met informally at a multicultural adoption party.
Things moved very quickly after that—Mikayla’s foster family was planning a vacation, so instead of being sent to respite foster care, she stayed with Liz for a week. The rest is a great success story—they got along famously and Mikayla moved in permanently with Mom and the two cats, Midnight and Noel, on May 16. This was just within the six-month deadline to be able to celebrate the legal adoption on November 21.
“One of the reasons I wanted to adopt an older child was so she could easily join in activities that I enjoy, and also because my friends’ kids are around the same age,” explained Liz. From the beginning, Mikayla fit right in with Liz’s network of colleagues at the school where she works—even attending summer day camp there—and has been thoroughly “adopted” by Liz’s whole family. It is this extended family that got together after the legalization ceremony for a big celebration. The party included elements of Native American culture to honor Mikayla’s Cherokee heritage, reflecting her new nurturing environment.
Although Mikayla has had a troubled past, including removal from her unsafe home environment and living in foster care, she is remarkably well-adjusted. She understands her background and why her birth mother agreed to the adoption. Mikayla exudes energy; she excels at social studies in school, plays the flute and takes hip-hop dance classes.
It is obvious to all that, in her new surroundings and with a loving home environment, Mikayla expects to succeed and to live a life full of promise.
Learn more about The Home’s Adoption Program and children currently waiting to be adopted.
