The Adoption Process

Friends of Jaclyn matches children not based on a sport or particular school, but rather on the entire team, geography, and other influential factors. Our teams provide love, support and friendship creating a lasting relationship with their adoptee. This is not a temporary activity which concludes after the season is over. We truly believe in Adoption for Life. The adoption process can occur and become finalized in a matter of weeks, or can take several months to happen. Every child, family, team and sport is different and we respect all unique aspects of every adoption we work with

Keep FOJ Informed

We want to know about all of the things the team is doing with your family so we can be a part of your journey! Be sure to continuously send pictures, videos, event information & emails to your adoption coordinator. You can also connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

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Team Responsibility

  • Create a welcoming environment for the child
  • Provide child with love, support and friendship
  • Maintain contact with family
  • Plan activities with/for the child
  • Contact us if there are any issues/updates
  • Let us know any major team or coaching changes
  • Lifelong commitment & friendship
  • Whole team involvement
  • Welcome the child into all team activities that are appropriate
  • Support any other adoptees on other campus teams
  • Send Jaclyn a message of thanks: jaclyn@friendsofjaclyn.org

Ways to Get the Child Involved

  • Calling/texting
  • Activity on social media pages
  • Become active with family “outside the lines”
  • Send mail or packages for special events
  • Visit in the hospital during scheduled treatments
  • Movie night, ice cream adventures,
  • Attend his/her school plays, sports games, family events
  • Connect with parents on higher leve

Make the Child a Member of the Team

  • Give him/her their own locker, jersey, college apparel
  • Invite him/her to post game talks and rituals
  • Letters/Pictures of encouragement to post in the locker room each game
  • Send him/her post game interviews
  • Have a special seat on the bench or in the stands
  • Invite adoptee to team dinners/study sessions

Adoption Ceremony

Just as every child is different, every adoption is different. You will work closely with your adoption coordinator to schedule a date for an “official adoption ceremony” and brainstorm ways to make it special for your adoptee. We have video ideas on our YouTube page or you can also request them from your adoption coordinator. We have included options below but we encourage you to come up with fun and new ideas of your own.  The adoption process is not black and white.  Please be creative when considering ways to welcome the newest member to your team.

We encourage all of our teams to view our segment on HBO prior to the adoption ceremony.

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Adoption Ceremony Ideas:

  • Present the child with his/her own locker
  • Have him/her sign a letter of intent
  • Present him/her with a personalized team jersey
  • Give the child school memorabilia
  • Mock Press Conference
  • Meet and Greet/Get to Know You Questionnaires
  • Make posters
  • Pizza/Ice Cream/Cake (ask parent or guardian about any dietary restrictions)