Dawn and Matt knew they wanted to adopt, and they had seen Phelan’s profile on Raise the Future’s online Children’s Gallery. The couple was excited to meet Phelan in person when they attended an event as potential hosts / mentors for Raise the Future’s CHOICE program. “As soon as we started talking to him, it was an instant click,” Dawn said. Phelan felt the same way, and Matt and Dawn officially became his CHOICE hosts.
“They initially connected through shared interests and humor, and it was clear early on that they were a great fit for each other,” shared Lauren Kapuranis, CHOICE Manager at Raise the Future. “Our team immediately saw the excitement, commitment, and mutual respect within their relationship.” Katrina George, CHOICE Director, agreed: “We just knew they were meant to be a part of each other’s lives. It was amazing to discover the interests and mannerisms they had in common!”
When asked about his experience in the CHOICE program, Phelan said, “Raise the Future allowed me to see a lot of people who were really nice and were wanting to help those who don’t have a family.” Phelan enjoyed the opportunities that CHOICE provided for him to get to know Dawn and Matt better through activities like group cooking classes and visits to the couple’s home.
Dawn and Matt took several classes offered by Raise the Future, including an adoption information class and our TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention®) Caregiver Training series. They also volunteered as buddies for youth at Raise the Future’s Connection Camp in 2019, helping youth have fun and practice regulation techniques over a weekend while parents received specialized trainings from Raise the Future’s Family Support Team.
Anna, a Connections Advocate at Raise the Future, had the important task of providing intensive family recruitment services for Phelan. She spent time working with Phelan and his team to identify the caring adults in his life that might be potential adoptive resources for him. “Matt and Dawn and Phelan were just such a great fit,” Anna shared. “I call them my ‘three peas in a pod.’”
Phelan, Matt, and Dawn have all experienced challenges and loss in their lives, but they refer to themselves as “the Wolf Pack,” which speaks to their commitment and to the love and protection they bring to each other’s lives.
Phelan’s adoption was finalized on September 30th, 2020 – just 5 days before his 18th birthday! He is looking forward to attending college and is grateful that no matter where life leads him, he’ll always have a place to call home with Dawn and Matt. “We have been thrilled and honored to play a part in their meeting and can’t wait to see what their future looks like,” Lauren shared.
“It has been amazing to see Phelan grow and become more confident as his own person with caring, dedicated adults beside him,” Anna shared.
Your support allows Raise the Future to connect youth, support families, and create hope. Your generosity gives youth like Phelan the intensive family-finding and support that they deserve. Your support also helps individuals like Dawn and Matt as they navigate complex journeys with Raise the Future by their side.
Raise the Future stands by Phelan, Matt, and Dawn – and all of the youth and families we serve – with support and care to ensure their connections last for a lifetime.