ccording to our 1894 Annual Report, 26 children were

“surrendered” in 1893 to Rev. O.S. Morrow, who founded the Kansas Children’s Home Society (KCHS) later that same year.

In 1906, the Christian Service League was founded and would later merge with KCHS, so as to avoid duplication. Combined they became the Kansas Children’s Home and Service League in 1926.

Since that day in 1893, we have worked tirelessly to find forever families for children.

12 Decades of Adoptioninding safe and loving homes for children in need has always been an important part of what we do at the Kansas Children’s Service League. The

belief that kids grow best in family homes has stood the test of time and is now considered best practice.

While the belief that families are best for kids has always been para-mount, our services have changed over the years to adjust to the culture and demands of our society. The receiving homes of the early 1900s are now resource families or foster care homes. In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the League specialized in infant adoption and finalized more than 200 adoptions in 1968. In 2012, we received over 2,000 inquiries from people interested in adopting one of the 396 foster children posted on our website www.adoptk-skids.org. Of those 2,000 we were able to match 112 with an adop-tive home.

Through the years we’ve also added new thought to our forefathers’ belief. We know that properly preparing foster and adoptive parents for their role is important to their suc-cess, and in turn that of the children in their care. Family recruiters of yesteryear engaged community leaders, the press and local church-

es in search of good families willing to open their homes to children. Once found, children were quickly placed with limited prepa-ration. Today, while the tactics to find families are very similar, the process to bring a child into a home is much more rigorous. That in part, reflects a change in times, but more importantly it recognizes the signifi-cance of the decision to fos-ter or adopt a child. Best illustrating our commitment to readying families is the Kansas adoption dissolu-tion rate of one percent, far below other states who average 10 to 15 percent. That means that once our kids are adopted, they stay with their forever family.

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For 12 decades, KCSL has been finding safe and loving homes for children. These are their adoption stories as told by moms, dads and children.

1890sThe

n 1898, KCHS published the first Home Finder Monthly Journal in an

effort to find safe homes for children. At this time, it was a radical belief that children grew best in family homes and not in orphanages. Below is the original message that was sent with the Journal to explain its’ purpose:

The Home Finder will reach many homes this month for the first time. We offer no apology for sending the little paper to those who have not asked for it. We simply take this method of making some of the good people of the state acquainted with one of the most efficient, economical and Christ like charities of the country. We hope after you read this paper you will be enough interested in the cause which it advo-cates to send us your name and 25 cents and have the Home Finder visit

your home once a month for a year. The field which our little paper occupies has never been entered before. The facts which it publishes and position tak-en will be an astonishment to many, and yet we will put nothing in print which we can not fully substantiate. The childless home of the homeless child is such a new thought and so radically different from anything that has ever before been attempted that many will say, “you can never solve the homeless child prob-lem in this way.” It is just such people that we are anxious to have read the Home Finder. We know to a certainty that there are more excellent Christian families in Kansas wanting a child than there are homeless children with which the supply and demand. We want you to be apprized of this fact, and to help us put this supply and demand together.

A Radical Belief

Look for popular children’s toys from every decade throughout this book.

3

1900sThe

bandoned in a snow-covered tent, John and Evangeline, a brother and sister

aged 10 and 13, were found on the Oklahoma prairie in 1906. Local officials contacted me, George Lewis Hosford. I was lecturing in the area and was accustomed to helping unwanted children rejected by their families as part of my church ministry.

The siblings’ condition was grave. Their mother was dead, and their father had discarded them. A blizzard had swept the plains. Snow had

blown into their tent. Their bed, such as it was, was wet with snow. They had no fuel. Their scant provisions were exhausted. I became their personal ward and returned to my home in Wichita. At this point, I realized it was time to organize a society. With the help of my assistant May Shelley, I started the Christian Service League with my lecture series earnings of $49. As with all the children I helped, I tended to their immediate needs for food and clothing before finding the siblings a permanent home. I found them a loving home, and as a result of the support and nurturing that they received, John and Evangeline became highly respected young people, married and well settled in life. Evangeline became a pub-lic school teacher, then a farmer’s wife and a proud mother of a little daughter. John worked his own

way through Business College. He held good positions, married and lived nicely in New York City. As an adult, John made a contribution to the Christian Service League and said, “I hope to contribute as much as the League has ex-pended for me. But the debt of gratitude I owe can never be fully paid.”

John & Evangeline NattefordThe League’s first adoptees - told by Reverend Hosford, founder of the Christian Service League

“I hope to contribute as much as the League has expended for me. But the debt of gratitude I owe can never be fully paid.” -John Natteford

John and Evangeline Natteford, before and after they were taken in by Pastor Hosford and the Christian Service League.

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1910sThe

Mr. D.F. Shirk, Topeka, Kansas.

Dear Sir:

eplying to your inquiry of October 22, I am glad to say that the little baby girl we were privileged to get from your Society is now quite a young lady, having good

health, second year high school, teaches a class of little girls in the Junior Department of the Methodist Sunday School, is department pianist, cooks very creditably, and sews, embroiders, and is a natural artist. While I am writing she is at the piano using the Meth-odist Hymnal. She is a natural leader among her age, in fact has always been so. Speaks fluently in Epworth League addresses, and in fact a child who bears bundles of sunshine to others. I only wish I could give her still greater possibilities. She is anticipating entering the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1920. Is now carrying the University course of music, specializing with piano.

We are living on an orange grove in Anaheim, with reasonably comfortable conditions and very delightful country, in fact as to my opinion the one great and beautiful spot, “Southern California.” Moved here from Manchester, Kansas September 1907, as yet have no inclinations toward returning.

Thanking you for the opportunity of report, I am, Very respectfully, S.R.C.

A Father’s ReportA father’s response to the Kansas Children’s Home Society about his daughter

This mansion at 10th and Harrison in Topeka was purchased by the Kansas Children’s Home Society in 1921. Children staying temporarily in this “receiving home” would stroll across the street to meet the Governor, who would present them with a shiny new dime and wish them a bright future.

Children in the “receiving home” participated in a “Toy Orchestra,” which was organized by the Assistant Matron of the home.

Children at the “receiving home” would hang their red stockings and gener-ous members of the community would fill them for Christmas. This was the very beginning of KCSL’s Red Stocking Break-fast tradition.

Historical Facts

5

1920sThe

was adopted in the early part of 1928 as an infant to loving parents. When I was

seven years old, my dad sat me down and told me I was adopted. I don’t remember much else about this conversation except that I asked my father what my name was before I became James. It was “Benjamin.” I had a vision of cribs in a room, and my parents came along and picked me special for their fam-ily. I was very excited about this. I bragged to the neighborhood about how I was special because I was adopted. I had an attitude that others were “less than” because they weren’t adopted. The general attitude at that time towards adoption was that it was a secret that you weren’t ashamed of, but you didn’t really share with everyone. After I shared my news, a mother in my neighborhood called my father for advice on how to tell her daughter that she was also adopted.

Before my adoption, my parents had two

biological children that passed away during infancy. That led them to choose

KCSL to adopt. My mother died when I was seven years old. After that, I grew up with my Dad, step-mother and two sisters. I never had any desire to search for my biological rela-tives because I knew who my parents were--the mom and dad who raised me.

Besides being adopted through KCSL, I also have some other connections to the agency. My uncle, Edward Sloan, was a Board mem-ber in the 1930s, and eventually I followed in his footsteps and became a supporter of KCSL by joining the Board of Directors. I also con-tinue to serve as a KCSL Foundation Trustee.

Who knows what I would have been without adoption. If you end up with a loving and car-ing family, what better way to be raised.

James SloanChosen in early1928

In 1920, the Christian Service League built a brick building at 1825 W. Maple in Wichita. This office housed seven departments: psy-chopathic clinic, community service, children’s aid, health clinic, home finding, care-taking and publishing.

An information pamphlet stated, “The Chris-tian Service League is not sectarian. Is not confined to any state. Does not dole out alms. Just helps others to help themselves, out of their troubles, into an independent and right way of living.”

Jim today, as a valued Trustee of the KCSL Foundation.

Historical Facts

In 2011, Rebecca Turner, author of the book, and KCSL 1963 adoptee, presented new adoptive families this story to help them talk to their children about their adoption journey. Her story has helped many adoptive families talk about their most personal feelings on adoption.

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James SloanChosen in early1928

1930sThe

was born October 22, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri at The Willows. Given up at birth

for adoption, I was handed to someone in Topeka to be “maintained” until they found a home for me. My biological father was from the Philippines and was killed in an auto accident while my biological mother was preg-nant with me. My mother and father were not married to each other at the time of my birth, and my mother had no means of support so she placed me for adoption.

With my biological father being Filipino and myself being half Filipino, it was hard to find a home placement. The workers tried to find someone of my race but couldn’t find a Filipino family. I was placed in the Kansas Children’s Home and Service League in Topeka. On July 24, 1931, Louis and Ester Rathert of Chapman, Kansas adopted me. I was their first and only

child. I grew up in Chapman and graduated high school in 1948 from Chapman High School.

I inherited musical genes from my biological father, who had a string quartet and traveled around the Midwest. I became a drummer in the high school band in seventh grade and attended the University of Kansas in 1948 as a Music Education major. To avoid the draft dur-ing the Korean War, I joined the Air Force in 1951. After serving four years as a musician in a military band, I returned to KU in 1955 and obtained a Business degree. I got a job with the Kansas Insurance Commissioner’s Office where I worked until retirement in 1994.

When I was 65 years old, I decided it was time to find out about my birth family. My adoptive mother always said that she would like me to find my birth mother. At this point, both of my adopted parents were deceased. I obtained my adoption file from KCSL and

Ray RathertThe musical family he never knew

learned that my biological mother, Ruth Trace-well (pictured left, late 1920s), was raised in Lincoln, Kansas. After several attempts to locate Ruth, I tracked down my cousin in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I then discovered that Ruth was living in a nursing home in Topeka and that I had a biological brother and three sisters.

My wife and I wrote a letter to my brother, who had power of attorney over Ruth. We spent a week drafting the letter to make sure it was right. We mailed it on a Friday but couldn’t wait, so I called him on Saturday morning, about 30 min-utes before the letter arrived. My brother did not know that I existed, and he came to Topeka the following Monday. I told him I wanted to get medical information and see my mother. My brother met me at the nursing home and introduced me to Ruth as a “friend.” Soon after, I met my sisters. All my biological siblings were very supportive, and they have become my friends. I see them a few times every year. My siblings and I found that we had several connec-tions and knew some of the same people. Even the next generation made a connection. My biological sister’s son and my son played togeth-er in the KU Band!

It has been a very happy relationship. They ask me why I waited so long to find them. I told them that I thought the world of my parents and didn’t want to hurt them. It’s been a great and rewarding experience to reunite with my biologi-cal family.

Ray (left) pictured with his biological sisters and brother (August 2012).

7

1940sThe

y name is Caraleta Pearl Lonnon-Huslig. At birth, my name was Georgia

Carol Unger. I was adopted at the age of nine months. My adoptive family consisted of my mother, dad and a brother who was five years older and also adopted, but not related to me by birth. My parents were each 43 years old when they adopted me. My parents lived on a farm in Barton County, raised grain crops and had cattle, hogs, chickens and lots of cats and a couple of dogs. It was 1942 and I can recall rationing of some goods, such as sugar and gasoline. My parents were thrifty, but not to the extreme. They had gone through the depression and were keenly aware of what can happen economically. That being said, they were as generous as they could be to my brother and me.

Mother told me when they got to the Children’s Home in Wichita, they noticed that I was older than the other babies. I was nine months old and they decided to “take a chance on me.” My mother had a great sense of humor. In all seriousness, she told me that on the way back

to Barton County, she and my dad noticed that I had already formed several habits. I had learned how to soothe myself. This self-soothing was most likely because of my living conditions at that time. I would bang my head against the bed, rock back and forth at night and suck my thumb. Mother had her work cut out. She finally got me to stop all but rocking myself to sleep. That took many years for me to conquer.

Mother made sure that I knew I was adopted and was a chosen child for our family. She did this from a very early age. I never felt as though I didn’t belong. In fact, I thought I was a pretty

big deal thanks to her. She instilled in me the fact that I could achieve anything this world has to offer as long as I worked hard at school. To be honest, I have never considered any obstacles too big to overcome because of her love and faith in me.

She also told me that if I ever wanted to search for my birth mother and father, that she would help me. I thought about it in my younger years, just to see who I looked like or if I had any siblings. That feeling has abated over the years, but I’m so grateful that my birth mother didn’t abort me. I pray that my birth mother is aware of how grateful I am for the life she allowed me to live. I was given a chance to live, and had a good life. I married a wonderful man 50 years ago. We were blessed with three children and doubly blessed with 11 grandchildren.

I am so blessed to have been adopted by such good people, and not very many days go by that I don’t think about them. They have been gone since 1985.

Caraleta HusligTake a chance on me

“I never felt as though I didn’t belong. In fact, I thought I was a pretty big deal thanks to her.” - Caraleta Huslig

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“We’d recommend adoption to anyone as it is very rewarding. We so enjoy her and our grandchildren.” - Mitchie and Cheryl, adopted a girl in 1970

“When we stop to think about it, we are amazed that we were given two gifted and wonderful children, something that never would have happened if my sister had not given us that pamphlet.” - Alvin and Carolyn, adopted a boy and a girl in the 1960s

“We were so happy to take our three year old daughter, Carol, home in 1953. After neglect she was finally able to feel more secure and developed into a happy lifestyle.” - Unknown, adopted a girl in 1953

“I, for one, will always be a driving force in my sincere belief that adoption is a good thing and an answer for those who are really wanting to raise a family! I thank God every day for my biological mother making probably one of the most difficult decisions in her life by giving me up for adoption.” - Kat, adopted in 1960

“My grandmother was from a Swedish family and insisted that [our daughter] was her little Swede too, because she was so blond with blue eyes.” - Thomas, adopted a girl in 1972

“I was born to a drug-addicted, teen mom in the early 70s...I am very grate-ful to the mother I never knew and to KCSL. Life on ‘the other side’ has been truly awesome.” - Becky, adopted in 1972

“When we arrived at KCSL we were taken to a room and found a little baby boy full of life, crying, with a head of hair about one inch long standing straight up, but he was so beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous and sweet that his mother and dad fell in love with him immediately.” - Tommie and Vera, adopted a boy in 1965

“Our son was five weeks old the day we went to Topeka to pick him up. He was so precious. I give thanks to God for the mother that birthed him and had the courage to give him up.” - Mary, adopted a boy in 1962.

“The one and only thing in life I ever wanted was to be a mother, and you gave me that opportunity.” - Mimi, adopted two children in 1961 and 1962

“We were so pleased with how smoothly and quickly everything went. We will always have a special place in our hearts for the staff that saw us through those anxious days while we awaited the arrival of our son.” - Bobbie Padgett, adopted a boy in 2010

“...they (KCSL) were instrumental in helping me locate my biological mother so I could let her know she made the right decision, that I had wonderful parents, a blessed life, and that I was thankful for her and the decision she made.” - Carol, adopted in 1957

“To improve our chances, we opened ourselves to the possibility of getting a child, not just an infant. We were willing to accept a child with disabilities. A mere six months later, we got a call about a five month old girl in Wichita!” -Karen, adopted a child in 1983

Memorable QuotesBobbie Padgett, Mrs. Kansas adopted a boy in 2010. She is a strong advocate for adoption in the state of Kansas.

9

fter trying for six years to have a baby, Ben and I decided to adopt. We contact-

ed KCSL in 1953 about adopting a baby. Then in 1955 our application was approved and we began home studies. In 1956, we received a call to come to KCSL in Wichita for an inter-view! After learning all the important informa-tion we needed about our baby’s background and making sure we still wanted to adopt, they said “would you like to go see your baby now?” We were stunned and speechless! She led us to a crib in a nursery. We looked in the crib at the most beautiful baby boy born March 6, 1956. He had gorgeous, big, light blue eyes and a per-fect little face. He wrapped his tiny little finger around our hearts im-mediately. The lady gave me

a bottle and said “you may pick him up and feed him.” We had to leave him then and go shopping for all the baby necessities, as we left home empty handed going for an interview. What an interview! We chose a name and spent the night in Wichita. Too excited to sleep, we returned the next day for our son Craig, to bring him home for the first time. The foster mother must have hated to give him up! She sent us home with a wonderful letter telling us things Craig did and didn’t like. He went to church with us from the first Sunday we had him. Our pastor loved Craig so much that when he was a baby he carried him in his left arm, as he shook hands with people leaving church. Craig loved everyone, old or young. As Craig

got a little older, there was an elderly

widow in church he liked to sit with, be-

cause she looked lone-ly. He was such a happy,

lively, wonderful little boy. We loved him so much!

One month after we got to bring Craig Franklyn (Ben’s middle name) home, I became pregnant with a little boy, named Kent. Craig loved his baby brother and told me once “Mama, he’s the cutest little guy I did ever saw.” Two years after Kent, another little boy joined our family, Thane. What busy happy years.

When Craig was in first grade, on Valentine’s Day the class had their usual party and opened their valentines. Craig rushed home from school so excited. He said, “Mama, come see my Val-entines.” I was doing something at the moment so I said “in a minute.” He was jumping up and down not able to wait so I said, “O.K.”

Ben & Ruby D.Tears of joy

Craig at seven weeks old.

“We want to thank KCSL for choosing us for his parents.” -Ruby D.

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We opened the box and none of the cards were opened. I said, “Couldn’t you kids open your cards at the party?” He said “Yes, but I told my teacher I wanted to open mine with my mother.” What a very precious moment for me.

When Craig went to the doctor’s office for his check-up and got his usual sucker, he always reminded the doctor “I have two little brothers,” and always ended up with three suckers. Kent had Perthes disease in one hip and we had to take him to Hutchinson regularly for check-ups. Craig and Thane stayed at home with my sister. Our church was having special services. Mil-

dred took the other two boys to church Thurs-day night. At the end of the service, the preach-er asked anyone who wanted to become a Christian to come forward. Craig went forward. Now he also loved Jesus. Later that night, we came home from Hutch. I debated making cupcakes for him to take to school to share with his class for his birthday Friday, but I’m so glad I did. After service on Friday, our pastor had us and some friends with children over for ice cream to celebrate Craig’s birthday.

Saturday March 7, 1964, the day after Craig became eight years old, he died in a tragic accident. Any parent who has lost a child can understand our grief. We are supposed to leave this earth before our children, but some-times we don’t.

I want to close this too long letter to express special thanks to the lovely young girl, who made the choice to have her baby instead of aborting him. She made our family so very happy to love and care for him. I wish some-how she could know he is now with Jesus for eternity. We are waiting for the day we will see him again. We also want to thank KCSL for choosing us for his parents.

I cried as I wrote this, as I always do when I go down memory lane, but the tears are not so sad anymore, but happy, for all the fun we had, so very much! Fishing trips, trips to grandma’s, Disney Land, New Year’s parade… I couldn’t include them all.

“I want to...express special thanks to the lovely young girl, who made the choice to have her baby instead of aborting him. She made our family so very happy to love and care for him. I wish somehow she could know he is now with Jesus for eternity. We are waiting for the day we will see him again.” -Ruby D.

Craig, second grade (last picture).

1950sThe11

was born in 1965 and was adopted as an infant. I never remember being told I was

adopted, I just grew up knowing. All I knew was that I had an awesome family! Stan and Nell Heyen are my mom and dad, and I never felt like I was missing out on anything with my family as an adopted child. My mom read to us, we did crafts, she took us to church and what-ever we needed… my mom was there. My dad coached all of my sports activities and was just the most genuine good man I have ever known. Even with an annoying little brother who came around, who I really did like even though he probably wondered, it was a wonderful life!

As I mentioned, I never remember not knowing I was adopted, or for that matter caring. My mom had made a scrap book about her experi-ence leading up to the day they were able to bring me home as their own son. It had stories

and pictures and was a great resource for me to grow up knowing I was wanted and loved. As I was coming upon my teen years I did begin asking questions about being adopted. If my parents were threatened by my inquiries they never let on. In fact, they sched-uled an appointment with KCSL whom I was adopted through. I can still remember walking into their building on 13th and Custer. During that meeting I was provided with some generic information. They told me that my birth mom was from the Hutchinson area. I don’t remem-ber a whole lot else except that they thought I would be about 6’2” tall. Boy… did they get that wrong! After my informational meeting I went about living my perfect childhood. My father was from Stafford, Kansas and we took many trips to see my grandma. Those trips took

us out Highway 96 and by Hutchinson. We soon began making jokes when we would see the many horse and buggies around Yoder that “there goes my birth mom and dad.” We all thought it was funny!

Brad HeyenThe adoption story of KCSL’s Chairman of the Board

Jump ahead about ten years and I am now a young married 22 year old. My wife is pregnant with my first son and I start to wonder about the genetics of my birth parents. My wife and I were watching a 20/20 show and it was on adopted kids finding their birth parents. I made mention about my questions regarding health issues and such for our coming baby and she encouraged me to search for my birth mom. So I went to my personal files and looked at my birth

certificates; I actually had two! One of them was my original birth certificate and it had my birth mother’s name, Erma Gingerich on it. I took that name and pulled out the Wichita phone book and there were four Gingerich’s listed. I dialed one of the numbers, a lady an-swered and I asked “Is Erma there?” Little did I know it was my half-sister who said, “Is this the son she gave up for adoption?” I said yes and she told me that Erma was her mother and she was living in Oklahoma at that time. She gave me her phone number and encouraged me to call. I did. Within an hour of starting my search for my birth mom I was making the call to Erma. Wow did that happen fast!

I called Erma and explained that my name is Brad and I am the son she gave up for adoption. Erma immediately tells me she has thought and prayed for me almost every day since she gave me up. We start filling in the

1960sThe12

blanks of the last 22 years. She was married and had four girls when she separated from her husband. During that separation, she met my birth father and she became pregnant with me. Then she ended up reconciling with her husband. However, he did not want another man’s child so she gave me up for adoption. Then sadly they ended up divorcing anyway. Erma then tells me that one of my half-sisters had been abducted, raped and murdered in Tulsa exactly one year from the day I called her. She was having a very hard day and my call was a gift from God.

We ended up meeting and she is the sweet-est lady, and it is funny the manner-isms we share. She explained that she grew up in and around Hutchinson. Her parents were full Amish! Her maiden name was even Yoder! It makes me smile thinking of the laughs we had joking that the horse and buggy

people were my family…they probably were relatives! We have gotten together a few times and send letters once in a while keeping up with one another. She sends my kids and me cards for all birthdays and holidays, and on each one she writes, “God Bless You Real Good.” I think He has.

One day a few years ago on a Labor Day weekend, I received a message on my home phone late one night after a weekend at the lake. It said to call her no matter what time it was. I remember turning to my wife and I said, “I bet my birth father died.” I called Erma and sure enough I was right. Although Erma had told me about my birth father I had never met or talked to him. He had married and had a family and I didn’t pursue searching for him. With Erma’s call I did end up meeting my birth father, at his funeral. It

was weird but interesting to see some physical similarities.

I tell my story because it amazes me how God has worked in my life and those around me. Today, I walk in the KCSL building on 13th and Custer as the Board Chair for the organization. To piece everything together like He did takes an amazing plan. I look forward to seeing what else His plan has in store for me!

I share my story in hopes that someone may real-ize that it is God’s plan for them to enter a child’s life. Thank you to God for bringing my mom and dad, Stan and Nell to me. Thank you to mom and dad for as good a life as anyone could ever wish for. Thank you to Erma for giving me to my mom and dad and for her prayers and blessings.

My Adopted Son by Charlotte Stephens Adopted a boy (pictured right) through KCSL in 1965.

After many years of marriage I thought I’d never seeThe joy and contentment a child could bring to me.I worried and I wondered and said with such dismay“If only I could have a child to call my own someday.” After many years of hoping and praying, God finally answered with such joyHe said, “For you to love and care for I’ve given you a boy.”He said “It is your job to give him love and teach him right from wrong”“That’s the only way he will feel secure and grow up to be strong.”How many years later I can tell God “Thank you it was all worthwhile”Because I know I did good when his eyes meet mine with that beautiful smile.Now my job of raising him is over as I travel on through lifeBut now to add to my joy and happiness he has two children and a wife.

13

e were a career Air Force family. We both loved children and had already

adopted a baby girl at a previous assignment in Goose Bay, Labrador. When we were trans-ferred to McConnell Air Force Base, we submit-ted our application with KCSL. Our first child was five years old and we were eager to adopt another child to be a part of our family. Our first adoption experience had been so positive that it didn’t leave any doubt that we wanted to repeat it!

My memories of our adoption experience with KCSL were extremely positive but with a sprin-kling of anxiety as we went through all the meet-ings (individual and group) with other couples on the “WAITING LIST.” Multiple home visits from our base chaplain, caseworker, reference checks, letters of reference from both sets of pro-spective grandparents, etc. It seemed to entail an endless list of requirements. Lots of prepara-tion and forethought went into this adoption, as well it should have.

KCSL was meticulous in the complete, thorough and professional handling of the adoption of our baby. Our situation was unique as prospec-

tive adoptive parents due to our concern that we might be transferred to a new base before we had moved up on that darn “WAITING LIST.” Had that happened, our hopes of ex-panding our family would have been dashed!Fate ruled in our favor and our baby girl was born November 23, 1972, Thanksgiving Day. She was placed in our family December 29, 1972. Happy New Year! I cannot describe the excitement! A dream come true… our second child! She was as beautiful as our first daugh-ter—one blond, the next brunette. Each different but equally treasured! No family could have been happier!

Following Amy’s placement, on our case-worker’s first home visit she brought us a hand-written letter from our baby’s birth mother. It

The Howayeck FamilyMoving up on the waiting list

In 1973, KCSL established the Black Adoption Project in Kansas City. Up until this date, Black adoption had not been greatly offered in this community.

In 1970, the League dedicated the Allen building at 13th and Custer in Wichita.

Historical Facts

Amy with her sister.

14

1970sThe

was beautiful, loving, touching, sad and oh so powerful! That one letter set the tone and the direction for all the years following that moment. I had never met this woman, but she already had my understanding and admira-tion for her courage while I, at the same time, shared her sadness. It was a letter of love and pain in making a difficult decision for someone else’s life. How incredible that letter was and what impact it carried! To this very day she has my undying respect and most sincere gratitude! And while I can rejoice in the gift she gave us, I am also still touched by sadness that she as birth mother missed the joys we had raising her baby, our daughter!

We were so appreciative that KCSL determined it appropriate to share this letter with us. We kept that letter and shared it with our daughter as an older teen. It explained so much about the lady who loved her so much she gave her life!

The years flew by too quickly and Amy has

grown and graduated from college and law school. She is married with two beautiful daughters of her own. She has known from the earliest days when she herself was learning to speak the word “adoption” and what it meant, the meaning deepening as she matured. It was always a natural part of our family life from the earliest years forward through discussions, conversations, story books, etc. We were very comfortable and open about both our daugh-ter’s adoptions.

Knowing it was their decision to make, both girls understood that we would be willing to support them in looking for their birth parents once they grew older (my choice ideally began after college graduation). Our older daughter indicated no interest and has remained of the same mind-set. Amy was curious and did indi-cate an interest. We had discussed pros, cons and possible outcomes, but she had graduated from college and was ready for the challenge. If she was ready, then so were her father and I! We would be there for her or assist if she requested. There is nothing we would not do

for either of our girls.

Amy was successful in her search, and a meet-ing of her birth and adoptive parents was arranged. Attendees came from Montana, Michigan and Texas and traveled to Amy’s home in Ohio. I was gratified to be able to join Amy in meeting her birth mother’s and then birth father’s flights at the airport as they arrived. A feeling of peace and resolution

overcame me as I felt so reassured for Amy that the search and questions might somehow begin to be resolved for her. From the adoptive parents’ perspective this was such a positive productive experience. Lots of conversations, sharing of photo albums, questions asked and answers received—better than anyone would expect possible! And that lady who wrote that letter to us as we were beginning our life with our new baby? Yes, I really liked her just as I suspected so many years earlier I would! She was even able to attend Amy’s first baby’s bap-tism, traveling from out of state to join our family for the celebration!

And finally, both of our girls have grown to be super human beings. Our older girl gradu-ated from college with a degree in Business and Amy is a successful patent attorney and outstanding mother to her two daughters. She is still in touch with her biological mother. I will leave it to Amy to tell that part of her story.

As adoptive parents, we can honestly state, shout, confirm, share and brag to any and all who will listen and put up with us: ADOPTING OUR TWO GIRLS WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE SINGLE BEST DECISION OF OUR LIVES!! Our daughters have brought us ultimate joy and pride as well as two gorgeous loving grand-daughters! Given the opportunity, we would do it all over again with one exception: we would have adopted MORE children!! What an almost magical experience it has been! How fortunate we are!

Amy with her birth mother, Aggie and her first child Gabriella.

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was adopted at two weeks old from Kansas Children’s Service League in 1978.

I jokingly say it was the hardest two weeks of my life, with all the paperwork. It was also the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I got two wonderful parents and a brother and sister. I also received the life experiences and opportunities that I would not have had oth-erwise. As a recording artist I’ve traveled the world performing for audiences. I’ve married a beautiful amazing woman, and now I even have a son of my own.

Being an adopted child has shaped every aspect of my life in very positive ways. I have always been so grateful for my birth mom who made a decision for me before I knew what a decision was. Rather than have an abortion or try to raise me without the appropriate means and resources, she gave me the chance to have the life I’ve had now.

One of my songs, “Everything to Me,” describes the gratitude that I have for her un-selfish decision:

“But you had dreams for me/ You wanted the best for me/ and you made the only choice

you could that night. So if you worry if your choice was right/ When you gave me up, oh you gave everything to me.”

Looking into my son’s eyes for the first time and hearing his laugh, I was overcome with emotion as I realized this was the first blood relative I’d ever met. It also made me even more thankful for the decision that was made for me so many years ago. Holding my son in my arms and now watching him take his first steps would never have been possible without my birth mom’s courage. I hope that when she hears this song she knows that her choice was not a mistake but the greatest gift she could have ever given me.

In honor of the decision that my birth parents made and also because of the experiences I’ve had being adopted and now being an adop-tion advocate, my wife and I are in the process of adopting a child ourselves. I can’t wait until we’re all in heaven and my birth mom can see how what she did changed my life and left a legacy for future generations.

Mark SchultzThe greatest gift ever

1980sThe

y husband and I had a son in 1975. Three years later, after months of trying

for another pregnancy, we discovered that we were infertile. A year of drug therapy and a varicocelectomy brought no pregnancy, so we turned to adoption.

We worked with another agency for over a year and a half, but babies were in short sup-ply. Somehow, we heard of KCSL and decided to attend a group session of prospective par-ents. We decided at the end of the session to stop working with the other agency and start working with KCSL.

To improve our chances, we opened ourselves to the possibility of getting a child, not just an infant. We were willing to accept a child with disabilities. A mere six months later, in 1983, we got a call about a five month old girl in Wichita!

The following week, on Holy Thursday, we drove to Wichita to see our new daughter Emily. We brought her home on Good Friday and truly had a blessed Easter.

Emily will be 30 years old in October and is a beautiful, young woman. She is a proud aunt to her brother’s son and her birth sister’s three sons. She earned a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Kansas and currently works for the state. We cannot imagine our lives without Emily!

The StigersA really “Good Friday”

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e began fostering in December 1992. Our first child was 10 weeks

old when he entered our family and took over our lives. Anthony was so sick and small but over the next six months, he blos-somed. We were asked to adopt Anthony by his birth mother. We couldn’t imagine life without him. We changed his name to Jorydan Wesley-Jerell Doviak. It took several months before the adoption was final. In the meantime, we were told that Jorydan would probably reach age seven and mentally not progress any further because of the drug and alcohol addiction during pregnancy. He did struggle, but for a very short time. Once Preschool started Jorydan hasn’t stopped talking or achieving his life’s goals. He was very busy with football, basketball, baseball and wrestling all through his school years. He went to State for wrestling and placed 10th! He graduated with his senior class with good grades. Jorydan is extremely funny; he con-stantly entertains everyone around him. He is fiercely loyal and loves his family and friends without judgment.

November of 2011 was a sad but exciting

time for all of us. Jorydan decided to join his brothers and follow in his dad’s footsteps and became a Marine. Wow! As a Marine, he is studying Meteorology in his first year of school. It is something he has loved since he was big enough to turn on the TV. He is second in his class. We are so proud of Jorydan and can’t imagine life without him! Yes, we miss him and love him unconditionally! But Jorydan has spread his wings a little and gone out into the big world to continue to prove to everyone that just because you are adopted doesn’t mean you can’t beat the odds. We are content to know that he misses us all as much as we miss him.

From all of Jorydan’s family—Thank God for small bundles of joy.

Annye DoviakBeating the odds

1990sThe

Historical Facts

In the mid 90s, Governor Graves instituted a plan to contract out family preservation, foster care and adoption contracts to private orga-nizations. As a result, KCSL was awarded the regional family preservation and foster care contracts for the state in 1996. Four years later, KCSL was awarded the statewide adop-tion contract, which was previously held by Lutheran Services.

Today, KCSL does not provide case manage-ment services for adoption, foster care and family preservation, but we continue to be a strong advocate for adoption through our Adopt Kansas Kids website, www.adoptkskids.org and through From Heart to Home Infant Adoption Services. Adoptkskids.org provides pictures and bios for every foster child in the state that is currently waiting for their forever family. We field inquiries that come in from families through the website and work to find the best match for each child. We also continue to provide private adoption services through From Heart to Home. Last year we finalized seven private adoptions for deserving families waiting for their bundle of joy.

Left: Charley, Age 14, adoptkskids.org Below: new From Heart to Home mom Elise with baby Caroline

2000sThe

e are Mike and Shawndra Harbaugh, and this is our story….

Mike and I were married in 1999 and knew we wanted to have a family right away. We started trying to have a child, and after a year and half, we were finally pregnant! On April 12, 2001, we had a beautiful baby boy Michael, but moments after his birth, our world was shaken. Our new son was born with seven different heart defects and had to go through four open heart surgeries in the first two and a half years of his life. We wanted to focus our full attention on Michael and his health, so we put off trying to have any more children until after his last surgery.

When the time was right, we tried to conceive again. After three years and numerous failed attempts with the help of a fertility doctor, we decided to pursue adop-

tion. We signed on with an inter-national adoption agency and began the journey to adopt from China. After waiting for over two years with no end in sight, we started doing research on adoptions in the U.S. We came across the KCSL website and learned about the From Heart to Home (FHTH) infant adoption program and called for information. After comparing KCSL with many agencies, we both agreed that KCSL’s FHTH program felt like the right fit. We started the adoption process again in 2007 with FHTH and shortly after, I

discovered that KCSL was the agency that my dad had been adopted from when he was 8 months old!

In January 2009, we were matched with a birth mother and were beyond excited! Our dreams of expanding our family were finally coming true! On March 25, 2009, our son Kylar was born! We fell in love with him the moment he was placed in our arms. In the spring of 2011, we felt we were meant to have one more child. We

The Harbaugh FamilyTwo babies From Heart to Home

called FHTH again and on February 8, 2013 we received anoth-er life chang-ing phone call. We were matched with a baby girl! We were beyond excited and

made a mad dash to the store to buy lots of pink! We met Sidney, our new daughter, at the hospital on February 9, and fell in love with her instantly. Her brothers also fell in love the moment they laid eyes on her. She has made our family complete.

We sincerely thank KCSL and FHTH for helping us though the journey of creating our family. We could not be more blessed!

Both of Kylar and Sidney’s adoptions are closed adoptions. We plan to always be open and honest with them about adoption. I once read this saying, “Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy’s heart instead of her tum-my,” which is so true. We could not love Kylar and Sidney more if we had given birth to them. We love all three of our children the same.

Mike and Shawndra with their two sons Michael and Kylar.

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e started our adoption story in 2002 with KCSL. Since then, we

have adopted 13 children, six of them through KCSL. We originally looked to add to our family through adoption because I believed that although we had previously given birth to our oldest son Dustin, in my first marriage that I was unable to conceive again. However, after starting the adoption process, I became pregnant with our daugh-ter Cydnee, and when she was a year old, Hershel was placed with our family. Later, we saw the need for homes for children avail-able for adoption and made the decision to continue to add to our family. I specifically felt that we were meant to adopt sibling groups that might otherwise be split up. We, along with our birth children, have learned compassion and how to handle various situ-ations and personalities. We get enjoyment from watching all of our children’s faces in their ‘FIRSTS’; rodeo, play, birthday celebra-tions, going skating/bowling, participation in sports/orchestra/band, cruise, vacation, zoo outing...the list goes on. As a mother, I have learned not to take my children’s negative behaviors personally and by no means is it a reflection on me as a parent. I have learned not to expect an overnight healing as it may, and does, take years for our children to heal.

We have always been open about adopting mainly through the foster care system and are quite vocal to others about adoption. We try to advocate to others the need for adoptive homes and give information to those interest-ed in adopting. We decided to have open adoptions with some of our children’s birth families, when available, and some are quite active in our lives.

Janelle DubreeAdvocates for adoption through fostering

Dubree children on a Disney Dream Cruise Vacation.

Reen Berges Shawndra Harbaugh’s father

My father, Reen, was adopted in the early part of 1949 around the age of six months. He never knew any different. He was adopted and didn’t really spend a lot of time thinking about it or asking questions. He said he can remember as early as age four or five knowing that he was adopted, and that he had no desire to look for his biological family because he knew who his parents were -- his adopted mom and dad. He said that he had great parents and never questioned their commitment to him as their adopted son. When Mike and I told him that we were going through KCSL to adopt an infant in 2009, he shared that he also was adopted through the same agency.

On April 25, 2008, the League dedicated the Bette and Mark Morris Center for Children and Families in Topeka.

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2010sThe

ur story begins with our baby’s birth par-ents, Katie and Doug. They were high

school sweethearts. Married now for thirteen years they have struggled to make ends meet on Doug’s income only. Katie, a stay at home mom, takes care of their only child, a little boy, now age six, who has Muscular Dystrophy (MD). They have been devoted and good parents.

On a hot July morning in 2011, Katie and Doug had a second son. They recognized that they could not afford to raise another child and made the choice to call KCSL for help. Ulti-mately, Doug and Katie placed their new son for adoption in KCSL’s From Heart to Home Infant adoption program. You see, Katie herself had experienced abuse as a child and was placed in foster care until she was adopted at age seven. She wanted to make certain that her

baby would never be involved in that system and would find a good home with parents who would love

him from the beginning. Katie and Doug’s unselfish gift of the heart ensured that Baby Daniel is now loved and cherished and safely placed at home with a Mom and Dad, and his new family!

e’re Joe and Jeanette Wood, Daniel’s adoptive parents. We are

delighted to be the parents of 11 children--six that were born from us physically and five that were born from our hearts through adoption. My husband and I used to talk about adoption prior to our marriage. We would sit and dream and talk about all the “what if’s.”

Once we married, we began a family and started talking to our children about adoption. They were always told that they had siblings that had not yet come to our family and would often pray for them before bed or their meals. It wasn’t until our sixth child was born that the doors were opened and a little boy entered our heart and home. A few years later the Lord brought to us a sibling set of three and we thought our family was “complete”. However, a few years later we found that our grandparents and children all supported us so that there was another child that was to enter our home. We decided we would hire an attorney, complete

our Home Assessment and wait. We told our attorney, “we’re not looking for a child; we just feel we need to be ready for the child that is going to find us.” It was almost a year later, on a Saturday morning, when we all talked as a family about adoption and if we still felt this was God’s plan for us. We concluded our conversation with, “Let’s ask the Lord to make His answer clear to us,” a mere 15 minutes later we had an e-mail from our attorney describing a beautiful little boy who we now call our son, Daniel. He has blessed our lives in ways that I cannot fully articulate. When one of his siblings was asked how Daniel had impacted their life they replied, “I smile more. We all smile more.” It’s been two very full, busy and joyous years since we first laid eyes on our sweet child. Our family is richer because of each child that is part of it. Adopted or biological makes no dif-ference; each child is chosen and passionately loved!

Joe and Jeanette WoodDreaming of adoption

Baby Daniel

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FUTUREThe

An ongoing legacy of finding safe and loving homes contin-ues today at adoptkskids.org. KCSL staff works hard every day to re-spond to inquiries that come in from the website, and match adoptive fami-lies with the right kids. These are just a few of the 400 children in Kan-sas currently waiting for their forever family.

Jesus & Maria, 7 & 10Javell, 9

Marcus, 12 Jayzion, 16

Tesa, 13 Lindi, 14 Zach, 12

Dorothy & Shawn, 7&6 Logan, 15

James, Jazzy & Jay, 14, 12 & 11

Tierra, 13Brandon, 14

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THE GREATEST TRUST ever committed to any people is the child-life of the nation. In whatever degree we hold the children precious, in that degree, only, will the nation PROSPER perma-nently and grow in strength. When the children are neglected, the nation will grow weak and puny.

OUR HOPE is in our children, and our children’s children. They are more PRECIOUS than all other possessions. They are the nation’s greatest asset. If we found our hopes upon the preservation and development of our natural resources, we will some day be disappointed. If we put our trust in stocks and bonds and bank deposits, we may grow extremely wealthy, but with all we will grow corrupt. Luxury, avarice and lust will be a canker to the soul. Pampered, petted and intoxicated with the wine of pleasure, our children will lack the sinew, the nerve and the SPIRIT which makes strong men and women.

LET THE VIRTUE, HONESTY, sobriety, and beauty of life be first, and prosperity will follow. Let us bestow the best we have upon our children and teach them, that they owe everything of good which they have received and inherited, and as much more as they can possibly acquire, to succeeding generations. No man or woman ever occupied a higher or more sacred mission, or held a holier office than that of parent. Before we can have child-culture, we must have parent-culture.

THE GREATEST NEED OF SOCIETY IS THAT CULTURE WHICH WILL FULLY QUALIFY MEN AND WOMEN FOR PARENT-HOOD.

Child Cultureby Rev. George L. Hosford, Founder of Christian Service League, 1915

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Parent Culture

Nearly 100 years ago my predecessor, George Lewis Hosford, wrote powerful words about a child culture that remain true to the mission of KCSL today and define the core val-ues we still integrate into all of our work with children and families. A culture that encour-ages healthy child development, so that our country can thrive, will only be accomplished when all parents have the skills and emotional capacity needed for good parenting. We are truly positioned as an organization for the future to prevent child abuse through our services. There are few resources, like KCSL, where parents can voluntarily reach out for help and education without any fear of threat, embarrassment, or reprisal.

Kids don’t come with instructions. So parents come to KCSL. They come to break the cycle of generations of poor parenting practices; to understand their child’s needs and behaviors; to navigate complicated systems of education and health care; to become a family for a child who has none. They come because they want a better life for their child than perhaps they experienced themselves. We are not so different, any of us, in this regard. After all, there are likely few parents who have not reached out for the experience and wisdom of

a trusted friend or family member when raising a child.

More than sixty years of research and evi-dence confirms that child abuse is preventable if we open our doors and hearts to parents early, before bad habits are formed, when the joy of parenting for the first time is fresh and new. Despite the overwhelming challenges that brought them to us, together with parents we celebrate each milestone of change and accountability achieved. And with enthusiasm we encourage parents to dream even bigger for their children’s future. Because we know that as a country, we all do better when chil-dren and families thrive.

If Mr. Hosford was correct all those years ago that “the greatest need of society is that culture which will fully qualify men and women for parenthood,” how long then will we con-tinue to invest the most in those interventions that come too late for both children and their parents? When then can we hope to see the needed level of commitment to this more posi-tive and less costly path of child abuse preven-tion adopted?

Let it be before another 120 years pass.

Child Cultureby Dona Booe, KCSL President/CEO, 2013

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www.kcsl.org • 877-530-5275 www.adoptkskids.org • 877-457-5430