Help Us Transition Through Emergency Adoption

***Update***

Thank you for helping us raise $12K last year to back us through the beginning of this seismic and sudden transition period for our family: receiving a child (a teenager) in crisis into our emergency and long-term care.

We are working through many layers of social, emotional, mental, physical and financial dynamics to keep well and to thrive along with the younger people in our care and stewardship.

While in this process, we are giving thanks for the ongoing support of our community!

Because the teen did not come to us through the foster care system, resources that are accessible to families in similar scenarios are not available in the same way to us.

YET, we are aligning with a place of continued wellness and abundance.

Our bank accounts are wide open and ready to receive!

We are grateful for your continued giving in this season in support of all the work we’re doing!

Thank you for your steady financial backing right now.

***********

On Monday, Oct. 14, 2019,  Will and I welcomed a beautiful 16-year-old relative (not pictured, for her protection) into our home and family for emergency respite and care.  We also received a letter from the child's father transferring guardianship of the child to Will and myself until she is 18 years of age. The mother has stepped away from her maternal role with this child.
 
Though this has all be sudden and unexpected, Will and I, along with our 4 birth children, are happily making room for this young lady in our home and family. We count it an honor to be able to come alongside in this way at this point in her journey.
 
As I'm sure you can imagine, things have been intense.  In less than 14 days, there has been a trip to Pennsylvania to file for physical and legal custody (we're now awaiting a court date), time taken off from work to transition the child into schooling (customizing an independent study curriculum for her last two years of high school), counseling services, needs and skills assessing and simply recovering and resting after the traumas she has sustained.
 
The system has said Will and I make too much money for government assistance. As result, we are left to pinch what is already being squeezed and call on our community for help.

We are looking to raise $15,000 to see this adoption through and get our family through the next 3 months.  The money would be used to cover:
     -Immediate living expenses for our new daughter (food, transportation, academic & homeschool technology, recreational, clothing, medical)
     -legal fees
     -counseling
     -childcare support
     -bonding activities
     -lost income in the next three months to see this process through legally, physically, and emotionally for our family

Additionally, before this new development, we had just begun the work of preparing and saving for the purchase of a home for our already large family. Now we're looking for leads to a suitable property (for rent) that will fit a group of 7.
 
We are asking you to support our family through this new season. We cannot do this alone. We are looking within our community to find:

10 friends: Who can donate/pledge $1,000 now through January 1, 2020
10 friends: Who can donate $400
30 friends: Who can donate $10 or more

Help us offer this new child, as well as our birth children, a stable home environment, opportunity to heal from layered traumas, to restore, to be empowered and to succeed in personal, professional and community endeavors.
 
Thank you in advance for your contribution. Boundless gratitude for your time here and in advance for your support.
 
Here are the ways you can make a donation:
— Online at [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-family-transition-urgent-adoption]
— Send a check (no cash, please!) to the address listed below.
—Venmo: @Yolonda_J
—Paypal: PayPal.Me/YolOndaJonesCreative
 
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the sensitive nature of this situation, please do not share this fundraiser without our permission. You are receiving this direct link in confidence.