One September day, our Adoption Services office received a package of photos from the adoptive parents of a happy, healthy teenager whose birth mother had placed him with the Idaho Youth Ranch for adoption 14 years earlier.
The adoptions specialist was able to locate Angela, the birth mother, inviting her to visit the office and pick up the photos. At the time of the adoption, Angela was facing a prison sentence for drug-related offenses. But when she came into the Adoption Services office 14 years later, she was obviously a transformed woman.
Angela told the staff how, after serving her time, she successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program and then stayed on as a volunteer to help other women through the program. Eventually she got a full-time position at a residential facility that serves women in crisis due to homelessness and/or substance abuse.
Although placing her child for adoption was a very painful, difficult decision, Angela is grateful her son has a loving home. She wanted us to know how much she appreciated the support and guidance she found at IYR, and how that experience inspired her to find her life�s purpose.
Angela loves her work, especially the opportunity to help other women in the same tough position she was once in herself, giving them the tools and resources they need to turn adversity into opportunity.
