Community Corner

Agency To Educate Others About Adoption

Stars of "Teen Mom" working with Bethany Christian Services to let pregnant teenagers and young women know that adoption is a viable option when to comes to unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.

Mothers and fathers facing an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy always have an option.

That is the message two cast members from MTV’s “Teen Mom” and representatives from Bethany Christian Services (BCS) will share with attendees at a special event next week at the .

“There are so many myths and stereotypes about adoption that exist, both for parents who put their child up for adoption and those who adopt someone. We want to dispel those stereotypes,” said Nancy Dykstra-Powers, executive director of BCS’ tri-state area chapter. “People need to see that it works for everyone involved.”

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BCS is a national adoption agency and advocacy organization. The agency placed 1,900 children in homes last year, including 50 in the tri-state area.

Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra will talk about what it was like to give their daughter Carly up for adoption in 2009. The event will take place at the Wayne YMCA on May 10 and 11.

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Lowell and Baltierra are some of the stars of “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant” are now engaged. They worked with BCS to find a family to adopt Carly. The couple conducted a semi-open adoption. They have seen Carly since she was adopted and receive regular updates about her from her adoptive family.

“Their story has been so transformative for them, their daughter, and the people who adopted them,” Dykstra-Powers said. “We’ve taken the opportunity to share that story with others because there are so many people out there who don’t think that adoption is a viable option for their family.”

Richard Gorab, president and chief executive officer of the Metro YMCA of the Oranges, which runs the Wayne YMCA, could not be reached for comment. Joyce Fein, marketing and communications director of the Wayne YMCA, could not be reached for comment.

“If someone is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy they owe it to themselves to explore the option of adoption,” Dykstra-Powers said. “So often there is a stigma that’s attached to adoption because people don’t understand it or how it works. We want Catelynn and Tyler’s story to be an example to others that adoption works.”

BCS will have literature about the services it offers at the event.

“We’re really hoping that teenagers and people in their 20s come out because everyone knows someone who’s gone through an unwanted pregnancy when they were that age or will know someone who will,” Dykstra-Powers said.

For more information about Lowell, Baltierra, and their work with BCS, click here to view a Public Service Announcement the couple filmed.

For more information about BCS, click here.

The appearances will be held on Thursday, May 10 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday, May 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call BCS at 201-258-3813.


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