Nothing about parenting has been easy for this Fairfield couple.
They struggled with infertility for years, then began the arduous process of adoption. They researched the numerous adoption agencies in Ohio, filled out piles of paperwork, passed background checks, completed home studies and financial background evaluations and cleared a home fire safety inspection.
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All to be parents.
All for midnight feedings.
All for sleepless nights.
All for the toughest and most rewarding job in the world.
After clearing those administrative hurdles, they learned about the steep cost of adoption. They contracted with Adoption Professionals in Cincinnati and are planning a unique kind of adoption fundraiser to offset the cost with a goal of $25,000.
They are working with Both Hands Mission whose goal is “to serve orphans, widows and adoptive families.” The group helps families raise funds for their adoptions and at the same time assists those in the community.
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Nick, 32, and Kara, 30, and a team of about 25 volunteers, mostly family and friends, will spend Saturday sprucing up the outside of the home of a Fairfield woman whose husband unexpectedly died of an unknown medical condition in 2017. The woman, an immigrant from Trinidad, has three grown children and needs assistance with her flower garden and exterior of her residence.
The Goodwins have sent solicitation letters to raise sponsorship for their day of service. They said it’s very similar to raising funds for a 5K race or charity golf tournament, but instead of running or golfing, the team is serving a widow.
They have raised about $2,500, 10 percent of their goal. No funds raised are deducted for Both Hands’ administrative costs, the Goodwins said.
If you’re looking for a controversial story, you’re looking in the wrong place.
“No one gets stepped on in this process,” Kara Goodwin said. “The world is so focused on the negative. This is a perfect marriage to create the best of what could be.”
To reach the goal of becoming parents, the Goodwins have created a profile book trying to attract the attention of an expecting mother.
“It’s about marketing,” said Nick Goodwin, an attorney with Lexis Nexis in Miami Twp.
After the Goodwins wed, right after those at the reception congratulated them, they were asked: “So when are you going to have kids?”
Becoming a parent is “assumed,” he said.
“That’s the next step,” his wife said.
But for the Goodwins, that step wasn’t in their future. As they waited, they kept becoming aunts and uncles, attending baby showers to answer the same, old question.
“It stings more they think,” he said.
“It’s like a grieving process,” his wife said. “What you thought you would have and what you don’t have.”
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And they’re trying to adopt during the coronavirus pandemic when about everything is closed. Nick said the COVID-19 “slowed things down” during the adoption process. Because of hospital restrictions, representatives from adoption agencies have limited access to expecting mothers who are deciding between abortions and adoptions, they said.
If they become adoptive parents, they will tell their son or daughter about the process. Kara have rehearsed to her nieces.
Her speech goes like this: “Babies come from a mom’s belly. God makes babies and He makes them small and they need a safe place to grow and that’s in a belly. There are different kinds of bellies. Some bellies can have lots of babies. Some bellies can’t have any babies. Some bellies get a baby when they’re not ready to be a mom.”
Kara Goodwin sounds ready to be mother.
HOW TO HELP
Businesses and individuals may join hands with this team by donating supplies for this project. Contact Kara Goodwin at karagoodwin428@gmail.com for more information.
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