Campaign Story

Our family is built on love, resilience, and a deep commitment to providing stability for children who need it most. My wife, Mariana, and I have been married for five years and together for seven. We live in Maryland with our blended family, which includes Mariana’s two children—her oldest, whom she adopted in a previous marriage and who is now attending college in Austin, Texas, and her younger daughter, Soleil, who is 11 and lives with us full time. I am also the father of two daughters from a previous marriage who live in New York City but remain an important part of our lives. Our home is lively and nurturing, filled not only with children but also with three dogs, one cat, and six birds. We believe deeply that every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family.
Our path to adoption began with heartbreak but grew into purpose. After experiencing significant pregnancy complications, we learned that we would not be able to have biological children together. This was a painful realization, but it opened our hearts to new ways of growing our family. In 2024, we hosted a Spanish exchange student for a full year, and the experience transformed us. We saw how a young person can thrive when surrounded by encouragement, structure, and unconditional care.
Last summer, we welcomed a 14yearold girl into our home for 30 days. In that short time, she became part of our family in every meaningful way. We saw her smile more, relax more, and begin to trust. We saw her strength and her potential. We also saw how much she needed a permanent family—and how deeply we wanted to be that family for her. By the time she returned to Colombia, our hearts were already committed. Her adoption is not simply a choice; it is a calling.
This is our first adoption together as a couple, though Mariana has prior experience from adopting her oldest son. That experience has given her insight into the emotional and logistical demands of adoption and strengthened our resolve to walk this journey with patience, humility, and love. We are adopting a teenage girl from Colombia who has endured significant trauma, including physical abuse, longterm neglect, dental damage, chronic food insecurity, and delayed access to education. She did not begin formal schooling until after age ten and will require ongoing academic support, medical care, and emotional healing. We are fully committed to providing her with the longterm stability and specialized care she needs to thrive.
The financial burden of international adoption is substantial. Although we have planned carefully, the total cost—approximately $45,000—exceeds what we can manage on our own. We have already paid roughly $14,000 toward required fees, including the home study, USCIS filings, agency fees, documentation, and translation costs. Our remaining balance is approximately $31,000, which includes CCAI program fees, Colombian legal and administrative fees, additional translation and documentation, required incountry lodging for the mandatory 30day stay, and postplacement requirements. All grant funds will be used exclusively for adoptionrelated expenses; none will be used for travel.
So far, we have relied on savings and credit cards to cover the initial costs. Without grant assistance, we will likely need to take out a loan to complete the remaining steps. We are determined to bring our daughter home, but doing so without support would place a significant financial strain on our family. Receiving this grant would ease that burden and allow us to focus fully on preparing emotionally and practically for her arrival.
If awarded a matching grant, we have a strong support network of family, friends, and community members who are ready to help us fundraise. We are committed to doing everything in our power to give this young girl the permanent, loving home she deserves. Your support would bring us one step closer to making that promise a reality.