how 22 families from one church adopted 77 children through the foster care system

how 22 families from one church adopted 77 children through the foster care system

Author: Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom & Founder of The Forgotten Adoption Option June 16, 2024 Duration: 20:23
Rebekah Weigel is a foster/adoptive parent, child advocate and national ambassador for CarePortal (a technology the supports children and families interacting with the foster system). She has a passion to see the faith community care for vulnerable children and families. She is an award-winning filmmaker and works in the entertainment industry as a writer and producer. Rebekah and her husband Joshua are at the helm of The Sound of Hope: Possum Trot as the producers, writers, and Josh’s feature debut as a director. Possum Trot was produced through their company, PEACETREE PRODUCTIONS, in association with Letitia Wright’s Threesixteen Entertainment. Peacetree Productions aims to create life-changing, spiritually significant entertainment by highlighting critical social issues and narratives, capturing the most compelling stories of our time. After Possum Trot, the highly anticipated feature length adaptation of THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS is on deck for Peacetree Productions. THE SOUND OF HOPE: POSSUM TROT SYNOPSIS: The fight for kids begins July 4. Inspired by the powerful true story, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the hearts of their rural church to embrace kids in the foster system that nobody else would take. By doing the impossible–adopting 77 children–this East Texas community proved that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won.

Now in its sixth season, The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast moves beyond statistics to explore the human heart of foster care adoption. Hosted by Marcy Bursac, an adoptive mother and founder of the initiative, this podcast creates a space for voices often overlooked. Conversations flow naturally with adoptive parents, adoptees themselves, adults who experienced the foster system, and seasoned child welfare professionals. Together, they unpack the complexities, joys, and raw realities of building families through this path. The central, sobering truth guiding these discussions is that nearly 30% of children in U.S. foster care are legally free for adoption, yet many potential families encounter hurdles that prevent finalization. This series exists to bridge that gap with authenticity and practical insight. By listening, you’ll hear firsthand narratives that challenge misconceptions, offering a clearer picture of the process and the profound connections it can forge. Marcy’s role as a mentor shines through in each episode, fostering dialogues that are as informative as they are deeply personal. It’s a documentary-style journey into the layers of society and culture surrounding child welfare, designed for anyone curious about adoption, involved in the system, or simply seeking stories of resilience and belonging. Tune in monthly for these essential conversations that illuminate a path toward permanent homes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast
Podcast Episodes
how to know you're ready to adopt a teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:29
In addition to being the mother of 3 daughters, 1 through adoption, ⁠Katerina Canyon⁠ is an award-winning poet and author. During our conversation, we revisit stories from past guests, including ⁠Ben & Emily⁠, who faced…
realities I faced as I aged out of the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
Michael, who resided in California, had a successful career as a technology manager within the banking industry. His dedication and insights continue to inspire those who knew him.
the realities of foster care and human trafficking overlapping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
In this episode, you'll hear about the realities of foster care and human trafficking overlapping. Janet Craig wrote and directed Wake Up. She has experience as a foster mom and has a degree in theatre, was a professiona…
core issues in adoption and permanency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:43
Allison Davis Maxon is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of child welfare and children’s mental health. She specializes in attachment, developmental trauma and permanency/adoption. Allison co-authored "Seven C…
HOW a waiting child found his forever family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:55
In 2013 Davion Only-Going warmed hearts around the world after standing before a Florida church congregation and asking for a family to adopt him. A few years later he was adopted. Today, he is a chef in the Tampa area.