FYI

REGION: Fostering child gives family a reason to be thankful


Ryo and Mira Masukawa and their 6-year-old son, Jayden, spend time with the soon-to-be newest addition to their family, 5-month-old Paloma. Paloma is a foster/adoption child and The Masukawas asked that Paloma's face not be shown, stating privacy issues. (Photo by Nick Morris - for the North County Times)


By ELENA CRISTIANO - for the North County Times
CARLSBAD ---- Fostering a child that they hope to eventually adopt has given at least one Carlsbad family a newborn reason to be thankful this year.

Mira and Ryo Makusawa said they always wanted to adopt, even before they were married. After the birth of their natural son Jayden, they remained determined to give someone else's child a loving home.

In 2006, while attending a birthday party, the couple heard about a program offered through Olive Crest Foster Family and Adoption Agency. According to the group's Web site, the national organization has served more than 40,000 families since it was founded in 1973.

The Makusawas quickly registered with the agency and in July 2007 went through training to become certified as foster/adoptive parents. They said working with Olive Crest was particularly rewarding because the groups serves abused or neglected children.

A year later, a call came informing the Makusawas that there was an infant available for possible adoption ---- the operative word being "possible."

Adoption can be a complicated legal process that can take months or even years, with no guarantee of success. In fact, Olive Crest officials said they make sure that foster/adoptive parents fully understand the true goal is to keep children with their birth parents.

"Ultimately, to be able to reunite Paloma with her birth parents would be the best thing," said Ryo Makusawa.

"We did not bring her into our home for our own reasons," added his wife. "We just want to take care of her."

When the adoption agency called, the Makusawas had just one weekend to prepare for an infant; they had initially requested an older child. On July 28, a 2-month old baby girl they called Paloma was placed in their home.

"The moment they put her in my arms she looked up and gave me the most beautiful smile," said Mira Makusawa. "This is the best thing we have ever done for our family."

Six-year-old Jayden is thrilled with the new addition. When asked why, he was fast with a reply

"You're not lonely, instead of being just being one kid, when there's playtime," he said with a smile.

Mira Makusawa said Jayden was actually worried about whether his parents would love Paloma as much as him. He said they had loved him enough and it was now her turn.

As things stand now, Paloma is a dependant of the court. At a hearing early next year, a judge will decide whether to terminate the birth parent's parental rights. The court typically won't do that unless the child is in the care of an adoptive family.

Kerri Dunkelberger, executive director for fostering and adoption for Olive Crest, said that birth parents are given many opportunities to retain their rights when abuse and/or neglect is an issue.

"There must be real, significant concerns about the safety of the child," said Dunkelberger. "They are given several chances to perform or meet the criterion laid out by the courts."

Dunkelberger said that there are currently 117,000 children available for adoption in the United States. Most are older children and many are of varying ethnicity.

For more about adoption, visit the County of San Diego's adoption programs Web site at www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/ServiceCategoryDetails.asp?ServiceAreaID=61

Elena Cristiano is a freelance writer for the North County Times.


Ryo and Mira Masukawa and their 6-year-old son, Jayden, spend time with the soon-to-be newest addition to their family, 5-month-old Paloma. Paloma is a foster/adoption child and should become a family member by February. The Masukawas asked that Paloma's face not be shown, stating privacy issues. (Photo by Nick Morris - for the North County Times)
REGION: Fostering child gives family a reason to be thankful

By ELENA CRISTIANO - for the North County Times
CARLSBAD ---- Fostering a child that they hope to eventually adopt has given at least one Carlsbad family a newborn reason to be thankful this year.

Mira and Ryo Makusawa said they always wanted to adopt, even before they were married. After the birth of their natural son Jayden, they remained determined to give someone else's child a loving home.

In 2006, while attending a birthday party, the couple heard about a program offered through Olive Crest Foster Family and Adoption Agency. According to the group's Web site, the national organization has served more than 40,000 families since it was founded in 1973.

The Makusawas quickly registered with the agency and in July 2007 went through training to become certified as foster/adoptive parents. They said working with Olive Crest was particularly rewarding because the groups serves abused or neglected children.

A year later, a call came informing the Makusawas that there was an infant available for possible adoption ---- the operative word being "possible."

Adoption can be a complicated legal process that can take months or even years, with no guarantee of success. In fact, Olive Crest officials said they make sure that foster/adoptive parents fully understand the true goal is to keep children with their birth parents.

"Ultimately, to be able to reunite Paloma with her birth parents would be the best thing," said Ryo Makusawa.

"We did not bring her into our home for our own reasons," added his wife. "We just want to take care of her."

When the adoption agency called, the Makusawas had just one weekend to prepare for an infant; they had initially requested an older child. On July 28, a 2-month old baby girl they called Paloma was placed in their home.

"The moment they put her in my arms she looked up and gave me the most beautiful smile," said Mira Makusawa. "This is the best thing we have ever done for our family."

Six-year-old Jayden is thrilled with the new addition. When asked why, he was fast with a reply

"You're not lonely, instead of being just being one kid, when there's playtime," he said with a smile.

Mira Makusawa said Jayden was actually worried about whether his parents would love Paloma as much as him. He said they had loved him enough and it was now her turn.

As things stand now, Paloma is a dependant of the court. At a hearing early next year, a judge will decide whether to terminate the birth parent's parental rights. The court typically won't do that unless the child is in the care of an adoptive family.

Kerri Dunkelberger, executive director for fostering and adoption for Olive Crest, said that birth parents are given many opportunities to retain their rights when abuse and/or neglect is an issue.

"There must be real, significant concerns about the safety of the child," said Dunkelberger. "They are given several chances to perform or meet the criterion laid out by the courts."

Dunkelberger said that there are currently 117,000 children available for adoption in the United States. Most are older children and many are of varying ethnicity.

For more about adoption, visit the County of San Diego's adoption programs Web site at www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/ServiceCategoryDetails.asp?ServiceAreaID=61

Elena Cristiano is a freelance writer for the North County Times.




Ryo and Mira Masukawa and their 6-year-old son, Jayden, spend time with the soon-to-be newest addition to their family, 5-month-old Paloma. Paloma is a foster/adoption child and should become a family member by February. The Masukawas asked that Paloma's face not be shown, stating privacy issues. (Photo by Nick Morris - for the North County Times)
REGION: Fostering child gives family a reason to be thankful

By ELENA CRISTIANO - for the North County Times
CARLSBAD ---- Fostering a child that they hope to eventually adopt has given at least one Carlsbad family a newborn reason to be thankful this year.

Mira and Ryo Makusawa said they always wanted to adopt, even before they were married. After the birth of their natural son Jayden, they remained determined to give someone else's child a loving home.

In 2006, while attending a birthday party, the couple heard about a program offered through Olive Crest Foster Family and Adoption Agency. According to the group's Web site, the national organization has served more than 40,000 families since it was founded in 1973.

The Makusawas quickly registered with the agency and in July 2007 went through training to become certified as foster/adoptive parents. They said working with Olive Crest was particularly rewarding because the groups serves abused or neglected children.

A year later, a call came informing the Makusawas that there was an infant available for possible adoption ---- the operative word being "possible."

Adoption can be a complicated legal process that can take months or even years, with no guarantee of success. In fact, Olive Crest officials said they make sure that foster/adoptive parents fully understand the true goal is to keep children with their birth parents.

"Ultimately, to be able to reunite Paloma with her birth parents would be the best thing," said Ryo Makusawa.

"We did not bring her into our home for our own reasons," added his wife. "We just want to take care of her."

When the adoption agency called, the Makusawas had just one weekend to prepare for an infant; they had initially requested an older child. On July 28, a 2-month old baby girl they called Paloma was placed in their home.

"The moment they put her in my arms she looked up and gave me the most beautiful smile," said Mira Makusawa. "This is the best thing we have ever done for our family."

Six-year-old Jayden is thrilled with the new addition. When asked why, he was fast with a reply

"You're not lonely, instead of being just being one kid, when there's playtime," he said with a smile.

Mira Makusawa said Jayden was actually worried about whether his parents would love Paloma as much as him. He said they had loved him enough and it was now her turn.

As things stand now, Paloma is a dependant of the court. At a hearing early next year, a judge will decide whether to terminate the birth parent's parental rights. The court typically won't do that unless the child is in the care of an adoptive family.

Kerri Dunkelberger, executive director for fostering and adoption for Olive Crest, said that birth parents are given many opportunities to retain their rights when abuse and/or neglect is an issue.

"There must be real, significant concerns about the safety of the child," said Dunkelberger. "They are given several chances to perform or meet the criterion laid out by the courts."

Dunkelberger said that there are currently 117,000 children available for adoption in the United States. Most are older children and many are of varying ethnicity.

For more about adoption, visit the County of San Diego's adoption programs Web site at www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/ServiceCategoryDetails.asp?ServiceAreaID=61

Elena Cristiano is a freelance writer for the North County Times.