Hope, Love, and Money
We have received one grant. This economy puts demand high and resources low. This fall I was put in touch with one woman, Marcy Cole, and her growing organization called CMomA. This was CMomA's first year offering grants to defray the cost of adoption for childless families. Without hypbole, I will say that they were a beacon of hope.
Every application contained so much of me: hope, love, fear, humility. Nevermind the letters of reference, tax statements from the past two years, personal statements... So much was put into each one that rejection felt personal. So when CMomA awarded me a grant for $5,000, I was elated. What I didn't expect was the grant's value beyond the monetary. It injected a bit of faith and hope into my process. It came during the "waiting time" - a period I have not yet left. It gave me a boost and, quite honestly, a feeling of validation.
CMomA gave me money to cover attorney fees as well as a feeling of acceptance by the larger community. $5,000.00 is priceless to me. I will forever be grateful.
Check out CMomA here: www.cmoma.org