In the second episode of the series, "Nicole and Shannon Want a Baby, or Do They?," Jaimie, Nicole, and Shannon sit down with Becky Fawcett, founder of HelpUsAdopt.org, a nonprofit offering financial grants to help families cover adoption costs. Becky shares her personal adoption journey, the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ families, and the vital role of both financial and emotional support. They discuss the costs of adoption, foster-to-adopt options, and the collaboration between adoption and fertility communities—all with a focus on inclusivity and making parenthood accessible to all.

Join us in the weeks to come as we speak with experts from organizations, guiding Nicole and Shannon—and listeners—through the many paths to parenthood available to queer folks.

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🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈 

• Becky Fawcett's organization, Help Us Adopt, provides grants up to $20,000 to assist families in covering these expenses.
• Inclusivity in Adoption: Help Us Adopt is committed to supporting diverse families, including LGBTQIA individuals, single parents, and people of color, counteracting the inequities present in traditional adoption grant programs.
• The Adoption Process Explained: The episode breaks down the costs and steps involved in domestic adoption, highlighting the need for transparency and the complexities surrounding agency and attorney fees.
• Emotional Aspects of Adoption: Personal stories and experiences are shared to address common fears and misconceptions about non-bio connections and the emotional journey of adopting.
• Resource Accessibility: Becky emphasizes the importance of making adoption resources and professional contacts accessible to everyone, especially those of us in underserved communities.

🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 

• Becky Fawcett is the founder of Help Us Adopt, a nonprofit organization that provides financial grants to help families cover adoption costs. She adopted both of her daughters domestically and became deeply immersed in the adoption community. Fawcett's mission is to support and advocate for a diverse range of prospective adoptive parents, including LGBTQIA families, single parents, and people of color. Her dedication stems from recognizing the inequities in adoption support and a personal commitment to making adoption accessible for all.
• Nicole and Shannon: Nicole is the long-time assistant and right-hand human on The Queer Family Podcast. She has been working on the show for two years, helping to highlight, uplift, and normalize LGBTQIA families. Shannon, Nicole's wife, comes from a background in working with children, particularly in the foster care system. Together, they explore the complexities and considerations of starting a family as a queer couple.
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🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• Help Us Adopt - Becky's nonprofit organization providing financial grants for adoption.
• Help Us Adopt on Instagram and Facebook
• Becky Fawcett on Facebook and Instagram

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🏳️‍🌈Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: ⁠⁠⁠Tiffany Topol⁠⁠⁠\ Logo art: Daneen Stevenato.

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The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. While we chat with amazing organizations, The Queer Family Podcast isn’t responsible for any decisions or actions taken by listeners based on the content of the show. Always consult with a trusted professional for your specific situation!

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