“However motherhood comes to you, it’s a miracle.” – Valerie Harper
When we pause to consider the broader impact, the numbers tell a powerful story. Hundreds of children placed into loving homes. Thousands of parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family members, and friends touched by the blessing of adoption. The ripple effect of those families continues to extend far beyond any single moment in time.
The Ripple Effect of 500 Adoptions
Over 20 years, approximately 500 children were placed into families ready to love and raise them. Each adoption represented a new beginning – not only for a child and adoptive parents, but for an entire network of extended family and community.
When we step back and look at the broader picture, the impact reaches far beyond a single household.
- More than 1,000 mothers and fathers given the opportunity to raise a child
- Thousands of brothers and sisters who welcomed a new sibling
- An estimated 2,000 grandparents who embraced a grandchild
- Countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and lifelong friends connected through open adoptions
Adoption does not affect just one life. It reshapes generations.
What Families Say
“We were told about a baby boy with Down syndrome in heart failure, and no one was willing to take him. The name that kept coming up was Paul Petersen. His experience and competency were exactly what we needed in that moment.”
“Paul cared about the birth families very much. He took pride in his relationship with them and wanted only the best for them. We love our birth parents and maintain a strong relationship through calls and shared moments. It was clear how much he respected both sides of the adoption.”
“Paul made it so we could focus on bringing our baby home. He ensured we understood the Marshallese culture and made the process about family, not money. You could tell this was something he genuinely loved.”
“My heart aches when I look at them today. No matter what happens, we will always be grateful for what Paul did for our family. There was nothing negative about our adoption—only love, miracles, and lasting memories.”
Watch Their Stories
Hear directly from families who experienced these adoptions:
A Miracle That Continues
“Because now I know what I have been waiting for. I know exactly why the other processes didn’t work. I know I was supposed to wait for this little girl.” – Nia Vardalos
The blessings of adoption extend far beyond paperwork and courtrooms. They live in bedtime routines, school plays, holiday gatherings, and the quiet moments that make a family whole.
Whatever challenges may come, the families formed through these adoptions continue to grow, thrive, and love deeply. That legacy, of children embraced and families created, reaches farther than numbers alone can measure.
“I firmly believe that I have received the same child I was meant to receive, whether I gave birth or adopted. The same soul, the same entity, was meant to be mine, from the beginning of time.” – Debra Shiveley Welch
Paul has always cared deeply about his family and the people he served. We continue to pray for fairness and compassion as this process moves forward.