Child Adoption Process Testimonials Testimonials

Kelly Rourke-Scarry

licensed adoption agency co-founder Kelly Rourke-Scarry President and Social Services Director

Kelly has a Masters Degree in School Counseling and a Liberal Science Degree in Family Studies and Human Development. Kelly has experience as a school counselor, social worker, mental health case worker, and is bilingual in Spanish. Above all, Kelly is married and the proud mother of four children. Kelly is the co-founder of Building Arizona Families, an Arizona licensed adoption agency.

Angie Penrose

licensed adoption agency founder - Angie P. Vice President and Agency Employee Director

Angie has a Post Baccalaureate Elementary Education Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a concentration in writing. Angie has experience as a 2nd grade teacher and is the adoptive mother of three siblings from Russia. Angie is the co-founder of Building Arizona Families. She diligently manages the necessary details to maintain the Arizona licensed adoption agency requirements and international accreditation standards.

Main Office

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623.936.4729

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800.340.9665

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8433 N Black Canyon Hwy
Building 6, Suite 152
Phoenix, AZ 85021

Sharon C.

Social Worker

Sharon was born and raised in Minnesota but has resided in Arizona since high school graduation. She have three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Sharon enjoys reading, the outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.

Katya P.

Administrative Assistant

Katya was adopted from Russia when she was 10 years old. She is proud to now be able to help other children find their forever families! Katya is currently a college student going into the field of teaching. Katya donates her time to sew and sell dolls to raise money for an orphanage in Haiti.

Heather K.

Administrative Assistant/Driver

Heather is married and mother to seven children, four biological, two adopted and one foster son. She has experience working with foster children and pregnant teenagers in group home settings. She was adopted at birth and is an Arizona native.

Karly S.

Domestic Adoption Case Manager

Karly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies. She is married and the proud mother of two daughters, both adopted internationally. She and her husband are also licensed foster parents. Karly has experience as a social worker supporting children and families who are survivors of domestic violence, and families who are experiencing homelessness.

Catherine M.

Domestic Adoption Family Case Manager

Catherine has her bachelors degree in Social Work. She has experience in the foster care system and licensing foster/ adoptive families, she has also worked specifically with teenagers aging out of the foster care system. Catherine loves working in the domestic program and helping bring about forever families through adoption.

Jennifer A.

Domestic Adoption Family Case Manager

Jennifer is married and the proud mother of 2 daughters and 1 son. Also, proud grandmother of 2 granddaughters. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Grand Canyon University. She has experience with children and families working as a Case Manager for State of Arizona Developmental Disabilities, Children’s Unit, Paraprofessional at an Elementary School, Case Manager for State of Arizona JOBS Program, and Eligibility Technician 111/AES for Riverside County Department of Social Services.

Jennifer W.

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer is married and the proud mother of 3 children, two girls and one boy. Jennifer joined Building Arizona Families in February 2015. She enjoys spending time with her family and close friends.

Scott P.

Professional Standards Administrator

Scott is an Arizona native with 28 years of local law enforcement experience, retiring with the rank of Captain. He is a Grand Canyon University graduate of their Public Administration program and a training instructor in the fields of Ethics, Liability Issues, and Employee Safety. Scott is the proud adoptive father of three siblings from Russia.

Birth Mother Testimonials

“I was so conflicted, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a open, semi-open or closed adoption. Thanks to the counseling that Building Arizona Families provided I was able to find out the difference, my rights and that helped me ultimately choose what was best for me and my baby.” – Andrea

“Building Arizona Families is an amazing adoption agency. I wasn’t sure about my decision to place my child for adoption at first and was struggling with whether I was making the right decision for my unborn child. My anxiety was put to ease when my case manager Lindsay walked Kenny (my boyfriend) and I through the process and helped me with my emotions. Lindsay has been a good support system for me. I got to choose an adoptive family with no rush. I was no longer homeless and had some kind of financial support. I was able to meet Kelly the director of the agency right away, as well as other employees (Heather, Jessica, and Celine) who have helped to make my experience better. I walked into the agency a mess, but I know I will leave with confidence and success in bettering my life. Thank you to everyone at Building Arizona Families.” – Clarivel

“Everyone from the receptionist to the founder of the company, Kelly, is so nice and kind, and it’s a genuine kindness. They really care about your well-being as well as your baby’s well-being. Even the birth father if he is in the picture. I had the best case manager that I have ever worked with. Lindsay is kind, honest, hardworking, and loyal. She is a problem solver. If she didn’t know something or wasn’t sure how to go about a situation, she was going to figure it out. You don’t see people like her often enough in this tough world we live in.

I was able to pick my adoptive family. The couple I picked wanted an open adoption just like I did. They have been together for 20 years and they live in Kentucky. Both ladies have great jobs and they live in a small town surrounded by family. They were a perfect fit for Seth and I. That is what they named him. I got to Skype or call them twice a week, so I could really get to know them. You are not going to find a more caring, kind, and honest adoption agency.

I urge you if you are thinking about placing your little one up for adoption – the hardest, most selfless action you will ever make – use Building Arizona Families. The end result is this: My child has a wonderful family that can provide for him. I am off drugs and in my own apartment and working. I am now taking care of my 19 year old son instead of him taking care of me and I am looking forward to going back to school. Building Arizona Families was the catalyst to make all those things happen.” – Roberta

Ixcel B.

Interstate Program Coordinator

Ixcel is a proud mother to 1 son. She has a Masters degree in Psychology. She is fluent in Spanish. She has experience working with children and families as an early childhood teacher, social worker, and match support specialist . She also has two years experience specifically in the foster care system training and licensing foster/adoptive families.

Sue S.

Administrative Assistant

Sue a workaholic that loves what she does. She is a number cruncher and very detailed. Sue love life and enjoy helping others.

Tai A.

Social Worker / Intake Worker

Tai has a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After graduating, Tai moved to Arizona where she worked in the mental health industry, specializing in the Developmentally Disabled and Youth Transitioning to Adult groups. She also has over 5 years experience working for Arizona Long Term Care serving the elderly community. Her free time is spent volunteering with her three children’s sports programs.

Lisa S.

Social Worker

Lisa is married and has three children and two granddaughters. She has lived in the valley her entire life and attended both the University of Arizona and ASU. Lisa graduated from ASU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Resources and Human Development. Lisa also just recently completed her Post-Baccalaureate in Education. Lisa has been working for Building Arizona Families for the last ten years. She really enjoys working with families to complete their homestudies and see their excitement and returning after their child is placed with them to see their hopes and dreams fulfilled.

Celine F.

Receptionist

Celine is currently a college student studying to get her Bachelors in psychology. She has experience working at shelters and working with seniors at a Alzheimer’s home. Celine loves the idea of bringing families together through adoption and hopes to adopt one day.

Lisa G.

Domestic Family Case Manager

Lisa has her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor is Spanish. She is bilingual in Spanish. She has lived internationally in Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and China. She enjoys interacting and learning from people of different cultures and backgrounds. She has experience working as a case manager at a refugee shelter as well as volunteer experience in an orphanage in Ecuador.

Jessica M.

Office Staff/Driver

Jessica is married and proud mom to a young boy as well as being a birth mom. She placed her oldest son for adoption when she was just 14 years old and has continued to stay in contact with him via letters and pictures. She is an Arizona native.

Lindsay T.

Domestic Family Case Manager

Lindsay is the proud mother of 3 children. She has her Master’s degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver and recently relocated to the Phoenix area. Lindsay’s previous experience includes working with foster children and case management within the child welfare field. She has also worked in schools counseling children and working with children who have developmental disabilities. Lindsay is passionate about making a difference and serving others and is excited to be working in the adoption area, contributing to the creation of families.

Lisa P.

International Program Coordinator

Lisa has been with BAF for ten years as a social worker and program coordinator for the international programs. She has adopted international four times and really enjoys building lasting relationship with each BAF family.

Patrick C.

Social Worker

Patrick is the proud father of a son and two daughters. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice with a minor in Sociology. Patrick has been working with children and families for over 15 years. His experience encompasses writing a variety of different reports directly submitted to the juvenile court.

Cassandra R.

Case Manager Assistant

Cassandra has her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Psychology, both from Grand Canyon University. She has had many years of experience working with children and is currently the director of children’s ministry at her church. Cassandra is married and expecting her first baby girl with her husband, and anxiously awaiting her arrival.

Robyn F.

Match Coordinator

Robyn is married and the proud mother of 4 children, one recently adopted at birth. She studied Business Management and Education at the University of Kentucky. She has experience teaching children in primary and secondary schools as well as prior office management proficiency.

Becky M.

Domestic Adoption Family Case Manager

Becky is married and the proud mother of two sons, both adopted at birth. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Psychology from Ottawa University. She has experience with children and families working as a director of children’s ministries.

Adam S.

Adam S. Director of Business Operations

Adam is an Arizona native with 17 years of experience in business management. Adam is the proud father of 3 children; two boys and a girl.

Birth-Mother Rights

You have the right not to be coerced by any person into relinquishing a child for adoption.
You have the right to receive professional and competent assistance and to be treated with dignity.
You have the right to receive services from the agency without discrimination on the basis of age, sex, religion, ethnic background, cultural heritage, national origin, marital status, sexual preference, or special needs.
You have the right to participate in the development of a service plan designed to meet your needs and the needs of your child. You have the right to receive a copy of this plan.
You have the right to receive a written policy from the agency outlining your responsibilities.
You have the right to receive copies of all agency documents that you may be requested to sign.
You have the right to be informed of the legal consequences of a voluntary surrender or an involuntary termination of parental rights.
You have the right to receive information about the different types of adoption.
You have the right to information regarding the agency’s criteria for selecting adoptive parents.
You have the right to receive a description of the adoptive parent(s) and to assess their ability to meet your child’s needs.
You have the right to request that your child be placed with a family that observes a particular religion.
You have the right to be advised of the nature and extent of the expenses which adoptive parents are legally permitted to pay on behalf of birth parents. You also have the right to be advised of alternative sources available for payment of such expenses.
You have the right to be advised of the agency’s policy regarding contacting birth parents in the event of a disrupted adoption.
You have the right to be informed of the legal process that children may use to locate their birth parents and that birth parents may use to locate their children. This includes a description of the information available to children, adoptive parents, and birth parents under Arizona law.
You have the right to certain services after placing your child for adoption. The agency will either directly offer these follow-up services or refer you to other providers.
You have the right to general information regarding current adoption issues, practices, and laws.
You have the right to know that the agency cannot enforce any private agreements between birth parents and adoptive parents.
You have the right and responsibility to update the information in your agency case record at any time by sending a written update statement to the agency.
You have the right to have your agency case record maintained in accordance with the confidentiality requirements of applicable Massachusetts and federal law.
You have the right not to be the subject of agency activities without your written consent including research, fundraising, or publicity by the agency.
If you have a grievance, you have the right to participate in a grievance procedure in accordance with the agency’s written policy. You also have the right to pursue legal action on your own.

Is Adoption Right For Me?

Download printable checklist

What are my financial resources? What is my level of income?
What are my emotional resources? Who will support me during this pregnancy?
Who will emotionally support me if I parent my child?
Where would I live if I choose to parent my child? Do I have room in my home if I choose to parent my child?
What income level will I need to pay for rent, formula, diapers, day care, and baby supplies? (It’s smart for the individual to actually do an estimated budget. It’s also helpful to talk to a friend or family member who is parenting a child to get an estimate on the average monthly cost of formula, diapers, clothing and health care.)
Who can help me financially? Parents, spouse, partner, government assistance?
What are my long term goals for my self?
How does this pregnancy affect those goals?
How does parenting a child affect those goals?
What are my goals for this child?
What is my concept of being a good parent to child?
What options have I considered?
What are the immediate consequences of those options?
What are the long term consequences of those options?
What are the potential gains for myself if I choose adoption?
What are the potential losses for myself if I choose adoption?
What are the potential gains for others if I choose adoption?
How will I approve of myself if I make an adoption plan?
How will I disapprove of myself if I make an adoption plan?
How will others approve or disapprove of me if I make an adoption plan?
How much will I consider the opinion of others in making this decision?

Our Services

Building Arizona Families believes in the beautiful choice of adoption. We understand that it is your right to choose.

If parenting is your choice, we celebrate you and your decision to parent.

If adoption is your choice, in addition to counseling both before and after birth, we can assist you in providing the following:

Counseling regarding your rights
Assistance with selecting and getting to know the potential adoptive family
Assistance with choosing the type of adoption, including contact with the adoptive family and child after birth
Communication with the biological father
Assistance with creating a hospital plan
AHCCCS (Medical Insurance- if you qualify)
Medical Insurance
Hospital support
Assistance with Community Resources
- WIC
- EBT
- Food Boxes
If you qualify for assistance with living expenses, we may be able to assist you with the following:
- Rent
- Electricity
- Food
- Cell Phone
- Maternity Clothing
- Bus Pass

The Adoption Process

Building Arizona Families is a non-profit, licensed adoption agency dedicated to providing the services families need to complete the adoption process.

We offer birth mothers the unique opportunity to select the couple that will be their child’s “forever family”. These adoptive families have completed background checks with the FBI, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Child Protective Services. Therefore, you can feel at ease knowing that all aspects of the adoptive family’s life have been reviewed by the court and they have been approved to adopt a child.

Once a match is made, you can meet the family, get to know them, and feel comfortable with the choice you have made.

Adoptive family and birth parent interactions prior to delivery can include (but are not limited to):

• Meeting for dinner at a local restaurant
• Talking on the phone about the pregnancy
• Attending doctor’s appointments/ultrasounds together
• Swapping photos, histories, family stories with each other
• Sharing the birth experience (either during labor/delivery or immediately after)
• Staying together at the hospital, if desired
• Post-adoption letters, updates, and pictures

Each birth and adoptive family situation is unique and can be tailored to be the kind of experience that gives you, the birth parent, true peace of mind. You will have the ability to really know the people your child will call their family and they, in turn, will be able to tell your child about you and the loving decision you made.

Please Introduce Yourself

First name

Last name (optional)

Email address

What Area Of Adoption Are You Interested In?

Birth Mother Services

Domestic/Newborn Adoption

Interstate Adoption

International Adoption

Other (Please Describe In Message)

How Do You Want To Be Contacted (Check All That Apply)

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Comments

Unplanned Pregnancy? Need help?

TESTIMONIALS

The child adoption process can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to Be. Here’s what our birth mothers and adoptive families have to say about working with us.

BIRTH MOTHERS

ADOPTIVE PARENTS

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