Upon Christine’s 20th birthday, Christine had resigned to the fact that adoption was unlikely given her age. Although Christine very much dreamed of a family to call her own, and never really gave up on the dream of adoption but she also faced the reality that she was going to be emancipating very soon. There were many obstacles that were facing Christine. If a family did come forward would they still want to adopt her knowing that there was no longer any financial support provided to the family after a child\youth turns 21 years old? Who would want to adopt a girl who was approaching 21 years old? Would they feel that it was silly adopting a 21 year old girl heading off to college? All of these thoughts filled her mind as the time began to tick faster and faster towards her Emancipation date: July 23, 2011.
Then approximately six months ago, her adoption recruiter decided to call Christine’s mentor without Christine’s knowledge to explore whether she may be interested in adopting Christine. It should be made aware that the recruiter was told that the mentor had been explored in the past, and that she was not in a position to adopt Christine. However when this recruiter asked the mentor, she shared that no one had ever asked about adoption and gave resounding yes to adopting Christine.
Then the recruiter learned that the mentor was moving next week to New Jersey to care for her mother who had some health concerns. Initially, the recruiter was very disappointed to learn that the mentor had plans on moving, but then after giving it some thought realized it could still work. Christine planned to attend college in the DC area, and could spend summers, holidays, and school breaks with her new Mom. She would have family to support her as she transitioned into adulthood. Christine was elated to hear the news !!!!!!!
We did face a lot of obstacles, for example ICPC could not be requested because Christine was over the ager of 18 years old. In addition, in the state of New Jersey children emancipate at the age of 18 years old, and as a result a home study could not be done in New Jersey. In the end, the Judge was able to work out a plan so that Christine could be adopted as an Independent adult upon her twenty first birthdays on July 23, 2011. The Finalization of the adoption will be granted on this day. Christine is glowing from head to toe, knowing that she now has a forever family