Adoption

In a testament to the power of unconditional love, a medically fragile foster youth held on to life just long enough to experience the security of a permanent family, passing away peacefully on the very day his adoption was finalized. The journey began when Alyssa Sadler and her family stepped into foster care with a deep sense of purpose, opening ...

Kristy and Ryan Anderson always knew they wanted to foster or adopt. The conversation started while they were dating, fueled by their personal histories. Kristy was raised by a stepfather who loved her as his own and she spent seven years working in a neonatal intensive care unit caring for infants born addicted to drugs. Ryan grew up watching his ...

After spending more than 3,000 days in Texas foster care 15-year-old Michael celebrated a life-changing milestone! He was adopted into a loving forever family. Michael, over the years, has experienced 19 placements. Michael’s journey clearly has been one of resilience, strength and perseverance. Following the near decade of his foster care journey, he is now surrounded by a support system ...

The Association for Training on Attachment and Children (ATTACh) concluded its annual conference April 10. With the ATTACh Conference in the rearview, Arrow Child and Family Ministries is celebrating a week of collaborative learning and clinical presentation aimed at strengthening the foster care community. The conference, themed “Healing Connection: The Heart of the Matter,” brings together international professionals and caregivers ...

Generations United Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network recently designated Arrow Child and Family Ministries a ‘nationally exemplary kinship practice.’ A designation which recognizes the organization’s commitment to keeping children with family and the intentional design of Arrow’s Kinship Straight Adopt (KSA) program. According to Arrow’s Senior Vice President of Texas Programs, Carolyn Bishop, the designation reflects the belief that family-first approaches ...

For some, the concept of a safe home is a given. For others, it is a hard-won reality. Kinley Gotcher is a Family Home Developer at Arrow. Gotcher brings a perspective that most do not: she lived the story she now helps others write. From the uncertainty of multiple placements to the life-changing moment of being adopted at 15, her ...

Arrow was honored to join Craig Cohen on Houston Public Media’s Houston Matters radio show on Thursday, Feb. 12, for a meaningful conversation about multicultural adoptions in Texas. Scott Batson, Associate VP of Capacity Development, and Natalie Kelly, an adoptive parent of five African American children, shared insight into how adoption works across the state and why culturally responsive placements ...

This year, two Arrow families received the honor of a prestigious award from the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services (TACFS), recognizing their commitment to children who needed them most. This statewide recognition reflects Arrow’s partnership with TACFS and the shared commitment of families, staff, volunteers and donors who make the work possible. Arrow’s Adoptive Parent of the Year ...

Adoption is more than a moment. It is a promise and a commitment and marks the beginning of a lifelong journey built on love and belonging. On National Adoption Day in Amarillo, Texas, that promise became official for Moriah and McKenzie Buchanan, who welcomed Katrina and Mary into their family. Surrounded by celebration and support, the Buchanans marked a milestone ...

One Arrow family is celebrating a milestone that’s been years in the making. The Rayburn family officially adopted their son, Chase, during Smith County Adoption Day, marking the end of a three-year journey toward making their family whole. Chase, who is deafblind, has been thriving in their home, surrounded by love, patience and a shared commitment to communication. Kelly Rayburn, ...