I
have now been working at Gladney for a month. It’s been a crazy whirlwind of an
internship, and I can say with certainty that I have learned more than I ever
thought possible. I truly can’t imagine spending my summer anywhere else. From
sending emails to adoptive parents, to getting documents notarized in Austin, to
getting visas for a group of kiddos about to come to their forever home,
Gladney (especially my boss, Beth Whitacre) has really shown me what goes on
day in and day out in intercountry adoption.
In
all honesty, the job can be frustrating. Now that I’ve established myself as
the Colombian Waiting Children advocate, I’ve seen how many kids there are who
are freed for adoption that I just don’t have time to fight for in my three
months as the International Adoption Intern. On top of that, I was recently
told I wouldn’t receive any new reports or photographs of over ten of the kids
I’m advocating for until I find homes for three older sibling groups I’m
currently working with.
However,
in that, I’ve gotten to create a new blog for these sibling groups. If you want
to read about Camilo and Jesus, click here. If you want to read about Caren,
Maria, and Javier, click here. If you want to hear about Maicol, Ana Maria, and
Cristian, click here. Hearing Camilo talk about how much he loves pizza and
Maria talk about how she wants to be a teacher one day strengthens my belief
that these kids are just like any others, and despite their tough cases,
deserve families just as much as any other kid. If you’re considering adopting
a sibling group and want to see their beautiful smiles and hear their
contagious laughs, click here to make a profile on A Child to Love.
My
favorite part about working at Gladney so far, though, is that my boss brings
me, the intern, coffee. Now, before
you think I’m crazy and superficial, let me explain. The grande White Chocolate
Mocha with soy milk and no whip in itself was indeed a great source of joy that
morning, but the fact that my superior* thinks about me before the work day
begins and after it ends means so much to me. She cares about my life outside
of work just as much as she cares about me from 9am-5pm. The friendships I have
made from that off-hours relationship will keep me at Gladney for the rest of
my life, even if I don’t end up here in the long run (either that or my indentured
servitude to this place).
 |
| Beth (left) and Margot (right) |
Being
at Gladney has given me the perfect balance of work and fun, even while taking
two summer classes on top of my full time job. Beth makes sure I don’t work
myself too hard, and even convinced me to join an adult recreational kickball
team made up of a handful of Gladney staff! We've played three games so far this season, and I've already scored twice! It’s been a great way to get to
know people I don’t typically see in the office.
I
hope and dream that wherever I end up next will treat me as well as Gladney
does, but maybe cut down on the amount of free food left out for me to consume.
- - -
*
she prefers the title Master, and she once put a braid in my hair and pretended
I was a young padawan.
By: Margot Twomey
International Adoption Intern
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If
you have any questions about adoption, know someone facing an unplanned
pregnancy, are considering adoption yourself, or just want to get involved
and/or educated on the subject, please don’t hesitate to contact Gladney. We
would love to talk to you!
Find
out how you can become a Gladney intern or volunteer here. We currently have Summer 2016 internship
openings in Accounting, IT, and Marketing.
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