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One Family's "Small Way of Helping"
by Paola Roldan

On August 4, 2001, the Ellis family celebrated a birthday. But this wasn't the birthday commemorating the birth of a child; it was celebrating the birth of a family. Two years ago, Star and Noah joined the Ellis family.

Ann and Greg Ellis knew for a long time that they wanted to adopt, however, they were not the typical couple you think of when you think about adoption. While many couples adopt due to infertility, Ann and Greg simply felt that they were called to help children in a less fortunate situation. "Greg and I have always felt that we should help change the world. Adoption was our own way of doing that. It may be a small way, but it was big to Star and Noah," commented Ann.

Greg and Ann's journey started three years ago when they approached the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services about adoption. They completed all of the requirements: parental training classes, home studies and background checks. Several months passed, and they still did not have a child. It was during this period that Ann mentioned to fellow students in her Martial Arts class the anxiousness over waiting to be a mom. It was by coincidence that Jose Amstutz, an adult originally adopted through Spaulding for Children, was in her class. Hearing Ann express her disappointment, Jose approached her, told her his adoption story and suggested that Ann consider contacting Spaulding for Children. Taking Ann's telephone number, Jose promised to help get more information about Spaulding for Children to the Ellises. Within a few days, the Ellises received a call from Jo Chevalier, a caseworker at Spaulding for Children.
"That was the beginning of our amazing journey of support," Ann said.

Jo met with Greg and Ann and quickly matched them with two children who were in Foster Care under the supervision of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. "We originally wanted only one child," said Greg, "but when we saw Star and Noah, we knew they were for us." Already in foster care for a year, Star and Noah, ages 3 and 5, were ready for a permanent home. It was on August 4, 1999 that Star and Noah joined the Ellis family.

In the beginning, it was not easy. "The kids really only hung around each other at first. In fact, they really only related to each other," Greg said. Soon after they came to live with Ann and Greg, behavior issues began to surface.
Knowing that Spaulding for Children offered free services through its Post Adoption Program, Greg and Ann contacted Donna Waller for help, and the entire family entered counseling.

Since then, the Ellises have utilized many of the services offered through the Post Adoption Program. "The Post Adoption Program is one of Spaulding for Children's greatest assets," said Ann. "We really can't say enough about
this service." The Ellises have participated in everything from the Holiday and Bike Building parties to Family Day Out and Camp Buckaroo. They also have joined the program's parenting support groups. "This is a good service," commented Ann, "because you get to meet families like yours. You learn you're not the only one going through this stuff. Plus, it's free!"

Even though Star and Noah have been part of the Ellis family for two years, and the required part of the adoption process has been completed, Jo Chevalier still calls the Ellises to see how things are going. "This is what we mean by great service. We love that she still looks out for us. She's easily family," Ann said.

Although the journey to becoming a family had a few stumbling blocks along the way, the Ellises are one big happy family today. According to Ann and Greg, "We're a regular family, without fertility problems, without lots of resources, who were just trying to do something nice and decided adoption was our way of doing that. It hasn't always been easy, but adopting Star and Noah has given us a great deal of satisfaction, and it is very rewarding!"