Today we’d like to introduce you to Vickie Akins.
Vickie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2005 my husband and I fostered to adopt an infant from the foster care system. What we found was a very lonely, complicated journey and no support to help us navigate through these tough waters. IN 2006 we started Chosen Ones as a support network for foster/adoptive families. Our idea was a simple support group and quarterly recruitment efforts to show people how to do what we did and walk alongside of them on their journey. Fast forward to 2018 and Chosen Ones has morphed into this incredible organization recruiting, supporting and connecting foster/adopt families all over the metroplex in a variety of ways!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to a successful non-profit is never easy. We have been blessed to be supported by local churches as well as individuals that has allowed us to be where we are today. On another note, being a foster/adopt parent is extremely hard and not for the weak. Chosen Ones has a network of hundreds of foster/adopt families who can walk beside you no matter where you are in your journey
Please tell us about Chosen Ones.
Chosen Ones has 3 founding principles. We exist to recruit, support and connect foster adopt families one child at a time. Our recruitment efforts are held all across the metroplex at local churches, so we can get the word out on how easy it is to foster or adopt and what that process looks like. We use “real “people with “real” stories so you can relate to someone just like yourself. We support families through monthly support groups, mom’s night and a large online community of over 2600 families to glean support from. Chosen Ones also has a Just 4 U warehouse where foster/adopt families can “shop” for free. This warehouse centrally located in Tarrant County has everything you could ever need in the event of an emergency foster placement or adoption. These items include clothes, shoes, toys, diapers, hygiene bags, first night bags, cribs, just to name a few. Chosen Ones connects families through quarterly family fun events each quarter. Several hundred families gather to connect, share stories and have some fun with their families and no child looks different, they all fit in!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Absolutely nothing. Chosen Ones grew organically underground and is now able to reach hundreds of families where they need help the most. Education is key.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mychosenones.org
- Phone: 817-856-8333
- Email: admin@mychosenones.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chosenonesministry/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
