Ashley Hess is the Minister of Families and Youth at Birmingham First United Methodist Church. For many years, Ashley and her wife Shea have dreamed of having a child but have been unable to. Then, in July of 2024, during Gross Out Camp, Ashley met Dawson Rafael Obregon, whom they lovingly call Rafe. Soon after that, he was introduced to Shea through church. Rafe began spending weekends with Shea and Ashley so he could get to know them and see if they would be a good fit as a family. Through that time together, it became clear that Rafe was meant to be their son. Their deepest desire is that Rafe feels loved, supported, and knows he has found his forever family.

In January of 2025, Ashley and Shea were granted legal custody of Rafe through the court system. In January of 2026, they will once again stand before a judge—this time to finalize his legal adoption. They have already completed the first stage of the process, which costs $5,000, and now they are preparing for the next stage with another $5,000 in costs for the home study and adoption proceedings. Beyond the legal steps, they want to make sure Rafe has everything he needs to thrive, including a proper bed, a desk for school, and all the little things that make a child feel happy and at home. These expenses have been a significant financial undertaking.

This is where we humbly ask for your help for this sweet family. Your support will allow Ashley and Shea to complete the adoption process and give Rafe the stable, loving forever home that he deserves.

Every contribution, big or small, brings this family one step closer to making this dream a reality.

From Rafe:

"I want to live with Ashley and Shea because they are fun, and I feel safe with them. With them, I can just be myself. They are really nice—even though I can be a little annoying sometimes. I love being with them, and I want them to be my forever family."