I consider myself lucky to have found Hillcrest Family Services. They were so helpful. The support they offered was amazing. Every question I had was answered. Everything was taken care of. From the time I walked into the Hillcrest office I felt very comfortable. They showed me that they were there to help me in every way possible. I never struggled with the decision to give my child up for adoption. Hillcrest gave me the opportunity to meet with the couple, interview them and get to know this amazing family who did adopt my child. I still receive letters and pictures of my child through Hillcrest, which has shown me that they really want every one to be happy and secure with their decision.
I can say with 100% confidence that Hillcrest made the process, in every way, easier. They were there for me whenever I needed them. My mother and I had someone we could talk to about anything that was on either of our minds during that difficult point in time. I wish that there were more people in this world like the staff at Hillcrest. They could not have done more for me. They are awesome!
I have never felt the way I felt when making decisions with my adoptive coordinator. I felt that every thing I wanted was right and there were no options that were out of reach for me. I decided that I wanted the adoptive couple to be at the hospital with me, and they made that possible. My coordinator was there with all of us (all night long) offering continuous support to everyone. I feel that the staff at Hillcrest made it possible for me to enjoy all of the things that come with being a birth mom. Even now, two years after having my child, I feel that I can talk to them about anything. I feel very lucky to have worked with them and that they have done a tremendous amount of good for me, my mom, my child, and his adoptive parents.
I was told many times that I have been given a great gift. I feel Hillcrest gave me the same great gift through the awesome support my Mom and I received, and in the awesome family I chose for my child. Without Hillcrest, I would not have been as happy and comfortable with my choice as I was, and still am.
If I had to do everything over again I would not change a single thing. I can say that I felt like I found a best friend in my adoptive coordinator, and all of the staff that I worked with at Hillcrest. They are all in my heart and they are truly amazing.
Sincerely,
Samantha
I made the hardest decision of my life in December of 2005. I decided at seven months pregnant that I was going to be giving my child up for adoption. I talked to my deacon at my church and she referred me to Hillcrest.
I remember talking to Melissa at Hillcrest. From the very first time on the phone, she just had a peace about her. She told me how the process worked and how we needed to meet so she could tell me in person and more in-depth. She explained everything that would and could happen. The main Hillcrest office in Dubuque, IA was three hours from my home. She told me that she could meet me closer if I wanted.
We had our first meeting and I knew when I finally met both Jody and Melissa that this was the right decision. They both had the tightest, warmest hugs I could ever imagine. They discussed everything I needed to know about adoption and the way it worked. Jody and Melissa helped dry my tears and told me everything was going to be okay, and I believed them.
I knew that both Jody and Melissa were going to support my decision no matter what. After giving birth to my daughter, they were there with me every step of the way. It is the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life, but I knew that it was going to be okay with Jody and Melissa holding my hand all the way through it.
I would not have been able to make it through all of this without them. They both played a huge part in my life and I know that I made the hardest but best decision in my life. I couldn’t have done this by myself and every day I am thankful that they are in my life.
Logan
Melissa at Hillcrest Family Services was a great help to me throughout my pregnancy. Not only did she help me figure out the pros and cons of each scenario, whether it be keeping my baby or not, she was also the only non-biased person I had to discuss my situation with. I had gotten to the point where I decided to give up my baby and she set me up with an interview with a great family of my choice. After the interview, I had decided to pick that family -- until my baby kicked. After I told Melissa that I had decided to keep my baby she was still supportive of my decisions and was a great counselor in helping me prepare for motherhood. We still keep in contact almost two years after my baby was born because I feel like I can confide in her and she can help me with whatever comes my way.
Hillcrest Family Services made my pregnancy and all the difficult decisions that came with it so much easier to deal with.
Miranda