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
challenges facing youth who age out of the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:13
Lisa Schelbe is the associate dean of academic affairs and an associate professor at Florida State University College of Social Work and a faculty affiliate at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. She is the Director…
how to know if you can parent children with special needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
Crystal & Justin share what it's like to be a family that has adopted multiple children with unique, special needs. Pages 5-9 in this document are an example of a list of behaviors, conditions and medical needs you might…
tips for thriving as a second mother [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
Jodi founded Second Mothers, a community for women who are foster mothers, adoptive mothers, and/or step mothers.
connections to prioritize if you age out of the foster care system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:39
Dr. Wynter is a Foster Youth Voice Whisperer, Child Welfare Strategist & Systems Thinker. She and I met after I published my first book "The Forgotten Adoption Option". A few local readers had told me barriers they were…
mental health and emotional literacy for children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
Justine Froelker is an educator who uses storytelling, humor, and passion to help individuals to rise from difficulty, cope with emotions, and move forward in a healthy, authentic way.
HOW to know it's time to close your license [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Christopher and Ashley adopted a young boy through foster care and then later decided they no longer felt called to accept more children into their home.
how to help adoptees thrive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
Simon Benn resides in the United Kingdom and is the founder of Thriving Adoptees. He is an adoptee who helps other adoptees thrive. He also shows parents how to help their adopted children to thrive, too. He also shows p…