How You Made a Difference

Often times donors wonder if their donation makes a difference.  Today Hope Cottage would like to share the story of a client you helped.  None of the assistance given would have been possible without your support - THANK YOU!

Cheryl was four months pregnant when she first knocked on the door of Hope Cottage. Not only was she attending school to become a medical assistant, but she was struggling to care for her two other children, ages 16 months and five years. The birth father and his family would not offer any assistance or support with this pregnancy. Cheryl knew this child deserved better.


Cheryl turned to Hope Cottage for assistance in making an adoption plan for this child and because you made a gift to Hope Cottage, Cheryl received the many hours of counseling and support she needed to formulate that plan. Cheryl’s school uniform scrubs became so tight she could not breathe. Because you made a gift to Hope Cottage, Cheryl could stay in school by purchasing the larger size scrubs she needed. Without the school uniforms, Cheryl would have had to drop out of school. Because you made a gift to Hope Cottage, she was able to complete her semester before taking a maternity leave.

Cheryl placed her child for adoption. Because you made a gift to Hope Cottage, Cheryl and the adoptive family have access to the counseling they need to construct and maintain a wonderful, open adoptive relationship.

On behalf of Cheryl, her children and the many other pregnant women, children and families served by Hope Cottage – THANK YOU!
 
Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918, Hope Cottage has been nurturing and building families through education, counseling and adoption services.


If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Article of Interest - Photographing your Children

Hope Cottage is sharing a link for another article, courtesy of Moms Blog from the Dallas Morning News about photographing your children.  Enjoy.

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas. 

Hope Cottage Announces August Photo Contest Winners

Dallas Adoption Agency, Hope Cottage, is pleased to announce the winners of the August Most Joyful Baby Photo Contest.  Each month the agency hosts a themed Baby Photo Contest on its Facebook Fan Page.  Parents post pictures of the precious tykes following a prescribed theme.  Previous themes have included the Baby in the Biggest Hat, Most Patriotic Baby and the theme for the month of August:  Most Joyful Baby.  Here are the August Winners:

Grand Prize Winner

First Runner Up - Mr. Bubbly

Second Runner Up - Mr. Happy

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas.  Since 1918 more than 7,000 children have found loving, permanent homes through Hope Cottage.

If you would like more information about adoption, visit the Hope Cottage website or call 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to discuss adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Dallas Adoption Agency Hope Cottage Helps Make Two New Families

Things are so exciting at Hope Cottage.  We made a placement last week and another child is being placed today with his adoptive family.  Don't we have a happy job? 

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918, Hope Cottage has been nurturing and building families through education, counseling and adoption services.



If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.


If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Family Traditions

I have a couple of friends from high school who I think are some of the most gifted writers around.  I envy their ability to lay down their thoughts in such thought provoking, entertaining ways.  I read Berry Simpson's blog this morning about family traditions and knew I just had to share it.  Hope Cottage is all about making families and helping them to stay strong.  What family traditions do you have?

My family had a tradition of making home made ice cream with family and friends.  I still remember sitting on top of the hand crank freezer while my grandfather turned the handle.  Sometimes it would be vanilla ice cream, sometimes peaches from his back yard tree would be added.  In the late 60's Helen Corbitt fudge sauce and peanut butter sauce were added to the mix and I do remember Chocolate Sheet cake as an extra treat.  I laugh because we would usually need to make two 6 quart freezers of ice cream when we had the Thompsons over.  One freezer for my dad and Daddy Leon (patriach of the Thompson family) and one freezer for the other 7 of us!  That ice cream was good eating!  A few years ago I dusted off our ice cream freezer and decided to start the tradition again.   I still must have a wooden container, but I have gone electric for the motor!   Hopefully our boys will continue the celebration.

Our ice cream recipe is below, but before I go, I want to ask  - what are/were your family traditions?  Share them with us here!

Lue's Ice Cream
10 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cans Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 can Carnation Evaporated Milk
two good "glugs" of vanilla (I kid you not, that is what the recipe says)
1 quart half and half and whatever room is left in the container, top it off with heavy cream

Mix everything well together (I use a hand mixer).  Place in ice cream freezer and freeze.  After the ice cream freezer stops, I have found that I need to then put the ice cream into a container and put it in the refrigerator freezer for a couple of hours to firm up a little more - that is if you can keep from consuming the ice cream on the spot.

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918, Hope Cottage has been nurturing and building families through education, counseling and adoption services.


If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Promotions at Dallas Adoption Agency Hope Cottage

Brooks Quinlan, LMSW

We are so excited about two recent promotions at Hope Cottage.  Hope Cottage recently promoted Brooks Quinlan, LMSW, former Director of Training and Counseling, to the position of Director of Program Services. In addition Jennifer Terry, LMSW was promoted to Family Services Coordinator.

Brooks has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama and his undergraduate degree is in Sociology/Psychology from the University of South Alabama.  Before joining Hope Cottage a year ago, Brooks was at the Alabama Post Adoption Connections. He has also served as a Post Adoption Specialist/United Kingdom/England with West Berkshire Council Family Placement Team and as a Detention Reform Initiative Coordinator with the Mobile County Juvenile Court.  Brooks oversees all aspects of our adoption programming and training.

Jennifer Terry, LMSW

Jennifer has been with Hope Cottage for more than two years and holds a B.S. in Social Work from Texas Women’s University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Before Hope Cottage, Jennifer was at New Beginnings Domestic Violence Shelter.  Jennifer works with birth mothers and waiting to adopt families. 

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918, Hope Cottage has been nurturing and building families through education, counseling and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721. 

If you are a woman facing a crises pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.

Great Article - How to Photograph Your Baby

Check out this article from the Moms Blog at Dallas Morning News about photographing your baby.   Might come in handy  for the Hope Cottage Baby Photo Contest!

Hope Cottage is the oldest, non-profit, non-sectarian adoption agency in Dallas.