Skip to content

Nine adoptions took place at the Juvenile Justice Center in Cedar Rapids

National Adoption Day 2

by Nada Shamah

It was an emotional day at the Juvenile Justice Center in Cedar Rapids.

Nine children were adopted Thursday afternoon.

For Michelle and Tom Wood of Hiawatha, their wait of 703 days officially came to an end.

They adopted three siblings, two sisters and a brother, into their family.

The couple says they knew the moment they met the children, they were the ones.

The Wood’s knew the birth mother of the children, and had made a promise they intended to keep.

“I just want to make sure they’re always safe and loved. And for my aunt Donna that always asked me for years if I would take them. She’s passed away but, we were just happy that we were able to do it.”

The Woods spent years fostering and adopting. They say it’s difficult but well worth it.

Their children range from ages 15 months to 24-years-old.

They say they don’t have plans to adopt more, but if it’s meant to be it will be.

The event was sponsored by Four Oaks Foster & Adoptive Family Connections.

November is National Adoption Month.

During this time, organizations work to raise awareness for the need and importance of fostering and adopting.

Full article found on Nine adoptions took place at the Juvenile Justice Center | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)

Recent News

The Gazette: Mary Beth O’Neill’s guest column, “Iowa needs diverse foster families”

Guest column by Mary Beth O’Neill that appeared in The Gazette: As an organization that spans the whole of Iowa, Four Oaks faces many needs in the coming year. While
Read More

Welcome to our new blog!

Welcome to our new blog! Educators, we see you, and we hear you. The last few years have narrowed everyone’s windows of tolerance, and you need practical support over philosophical.
Read More

Trauma-Informed looks like… Part #4 – Paying Attention to Basic Needs (while bowling)

My niece and nephew had never been bowling before. When my sister and I visited over Thanksgiving Break, we had a Grand idea: we take them bowling for the first
Read More