Adoption Center of Illinois

Happy Pride Month!
Don’t forget to RSVP to our Family Pride Celebration on June 27th, 2026.

Exciting upcoming events at ACI. 🎉 Whether you’re looking to connect with other families, celebrate, or learn something new — we have events coming up that you won’t want to miss. Check out what’s on the horizon and join us!

Register now → www.adoptioncenterofillinois.org/events

The calendar marks this weekend. A child’s heart never forgets. 🤍

We are in awe of this community. ✨ THANK YOU for making the 2026 ACI Annual Gala a night to remember — your support means everything!  All photos from the evening are posted in our pinned Facebook post. 📸

✨ACI Annual Gala 2026✨

🎓 The 2026 Jane B. Turner Scholarship is NOW OPEN! The Adoption Center of Illinois is proud to award TWO $5,000 scholarships to members of our ACI community — one for a birth parent and one for a person adopted through ACI/FRC.

✨ No grades required. No financial need required.

📚 Use it for college, trade school, vocational programs, or certificate programs.

🎨 Submit your response in ANY format — essay, video, poem, song, or art.

If you’re an ACI birth parent or adoptee pursuing education, this scholarship was made for you. Apply by May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

🔗 Link to download the application form and learn more. https://www.adoptioncenterofillinois.org/about-aci/aci-scholarship-program/

💛 In 2 weeks, at our annual ACI Gala, we get to honor some very special people - Temporary Care Angels: Becky & Ed O’Connell 💛

When a baby is born and a biological parent is contemplating adoption or parenting, they deserve time. Time to breathe. Time to think. Time to be sure. Temporary care families like Becky and Ed make that possible. They welcome the baby into their home with open arms so that biological parents never feel rushed in making one of the most profound decisions that will shape the rest of their lives. Whatever the decision. That gift of time — of space to decide with clarity and without pressure — can change everything.

And for 22 years, Becky and Ed O’Connell have given more than just the gift of time. They have given the start every baby needs and deserves. Falling in love instantly, giving their whole hearts to each and every one whether it’s for 1 day or 1 month.

127 babies. A legacy that leaves a lasting imprint on the children and families they’ve supported along the way. Their story is a powerful reminder of how one family’s commitment can impact so many futures.

Together Anything is Possible! 🤍

Together We Make It Possible! 🤍

Reserve your seat 👉🏼 https://givebutter.com/ACIgala2026

April 25, 2026 • 6 PM • Sarabande

Chance for Hawaii 👉🏼 https://givebutter.com/kolea-hawaii-vacation-gpwq9f

One raffle ticket.
Two incredible outcomes.

A shot at paradise — AND make a direct impact in helping Adoption Center of Illinois continue to provide compassionate, ethical adoption services, adoption competent therapy, scholarships, lifelong support and more. 💛

GET YOUR TICKET NOW !👉 https://givebutter.com/kolea-hawaii-vacation-gpwq9f

Adoption has always held a special place in our hearts, we were both familiar with and had experienced families created through adoption from a young age. I grew up with my best friend who was adopted. As a child I thought it was such a beautiful and meaningful way to grow a family. Jason also grew up surrounded by adoption, with several cousins adopted on both sides of his family. So when we met in our thirties and began to imagine our future together, adoption already felt like something deeply natural and right for us.

By the time we were ready to start a family, we experienced some challenges and decided to take time to reflect on what path felt right for us. When we revisited the conversation, adoption felt like the most natural and hopeful next step. For both of us, it already felt familiar, like a beautiful way to build a family that aligned with our values and experiences.

We began the process with ACI and from the very beginning it felt like the right fit. Everyone we met was genuine, supportive, and transparent. We adopted our first son, Arturo, on May 26, 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. It was such a tender time, quiet, emotional, and filled with gratitude. Teresa was one of the first people we met at ACI and she quickly became a central part of our story. I still remember the butterflies I felt when I saw a missed call from her number. When I called back, she shared the life-changing news that we had been matched. Even now we say that a call from Teresa is always a good call.

We also met Molly, who played such an important role in both of our adoptions. She was the one who brought Arturo home to us, a moment we will never forget. We have a video of her walking through the door with him and it is something we still cherish and talk about often. Years later when we began the adoption process again, we were so grateful to reconnect with both Molly and Teresa. Our second son, Jacob, came home to us on April 1, 2025. That journey was very different, filled with uncertainty and waiting, but ACI supported us every step of the way. Molly cared for Jacob for a short time before he came home, and knowing he was safe and loved during that transition meant everything to us.

Both of our adoptions are open, and we share stories and photos with our sons’ birth mothers through a private app. We know those relationships will evolve as our boys grow older and their curiosity deepens. Our goal is to walk beside them as they learn more about their stories and to help them build those connections in ways that feel natural, loving, and respectful.

Today, our home is full of life and laughter. Jacob is walking, climbing stairs, and even running backward, while Arturo is thriving in school and learning what it means to be a big brother. Watching our boys grow together has been such a gift. Our family feels like a living mosaic, made richer by every person and relationship that has become part of our story.

Adoption has changed our lives in the most beautiful ways. It gave us our two greatest gifts and connected us to a community of people who care deeply about doing this work the right way. To anyone considering adoption or supporting ACI’s mission, know that what you make possible is more than just families. It is a lifetime of love, resilience, and belonging.