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About Us

family walking in field

Our Mission

Adoption Options strives to provide more choice and increased control for women placing their children for adoption. In 1985 we pioneered open adoption in Alberta, and to this day we work tirelessly to bring children together with loving families, while providing compassionate support for anyone seeking guidance during an unplanned pregnancy.

We focus on programs and services to support International, Private-Direct and Domestic Open Adoption. We believe wholeheartedly that adoption is a positive option for babies, children, birth parents and adoptive parents. We are creating families through adoption in safe, loving and forever homes for any child in need.

Our Story

Where We Come From

With beginnings rooted in adoption support for pregnant women, Adoption Options has long been providing needed support for birthmothers. In 1985, we brought together our first family, and have since paired over 2000 children with loving families through our international and domestic adoption programs.

What we do

Building Families. Creating Futures.

Adoption Options provides information, choice and ongoing support to anyone experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, those struggling with parenting and considering making an adoption plan and prospective parents looking to adopt.

Pregnancy
Services
Counselling
Services
Domestic Open
Adoption
International
Adoption
Private
Adoption

Our Values

Support, Hope and Compassion

We believe adoption can be a positive option for everyone involved, but we also know that every adoption is unique. Our values ensure that children, birth parents and adoptive parents will all be supported and cared for every step of the way.

Building Families

Since 1985, we have brought together over 2000 children with loving families through international and domestic adoption programs. We facilitate between 25 and 50 domestic adoptions each year, the largest licensed agency with the longest history of professional adoption practice.

Creating Futures

Adoption Options knows that adoption can be a positive option for everyone in the adoption circle. We have a strong belief in open adoption because we know that people handle their lives and destinies best through continual truth and honesty, though we know every adoption is unique and no set plan works for everyone

Inspiring Hope

As a group of passionate professionals, our combined life and work experience ensures we are able to provide the open, ethical support needed for anyone who is pregnant, a parent, or starting their adoption journey. We offer an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and honesty.

Support Without Judgement

We know the adoption process can be both positive and painful. We offer dedicated, unbiased support to the birth family and adoptive families. There is loss on every side, but rest assured we have the tools, knowledge and experience to assist with such a personal, life-changing decision.

Our Team

Our team offers caring, compassionate support because we get what you’re going through. We’re unique because our founders and many of our staff are birth parents, adoptive parents or adopted persons. They bring their personal passion to their careers at Adoption Options while also serving the broader adoption community as well.

Executive Director

Sheryl Proulx BSW, RSW

Calgary 
Program Director

Tara Zimmerman BSW, RSW

International 
Domestic Program Supervisor

Erika Moore BSW RSW

Edmonton 
Social Worker

Heather Johnson SW Dip., BSW, BHSc., RSW

Calgary 
Social Worker

Amanda Hillier RSW, CBIS

Edmonton 
Social Worker

Billi Thurston, RSW

Edmonton 
Social Worker

Janniene Jones, BSW, RSW

Calgary 
Social Worker

Kiera Forrest, BSW, RSW

Edmonton 
Court Document Administrator

Cara Hoffman

Edmonton 
Office Administrator

Jennifer Coutu

Calgary 
Office Administrator

Jaleya Stubbard

Edmonton 

Sheryl Proulx BSW, RSW

Executive Director, Calgary

I have been connected to Adoption Options since 1990, as I first came to the agency as a client dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Working with a professional social worker who provided a safe and non-judgmental environment for me to make a plan for my son and myself was incredibly impactful. I became a social worker and initially worked in Child Welfare as a case manager. In 2003, I was thrilled to join the AO team. My husband Steve and I have a beautiful little girl and an amazing relationship with my birth son and his family. I believe adoption is not for everyone, but a positive option to be considered. What I value most about Adoption Options is the incredible team of colleagues that I have the privilege of working with every day. They are dedicated to providing professional and caring services to every person who walks through our doors.

Tara Zimmerman BSW, RSW

Program Director, International

I am thrilled to have recently joined the Adoption Option team, finding a place where I am surrounded by a team of dedicated professional women who strive to build families in such a compassionate, and caring capacity while supporting such life changing decisions.

I graduated from Dalhousie University in 2016 and began my career in Social Work from caseworker to supervisor in a First Nations community with the hopes of learning and fostering positive change, and really discovering the importance of everyone’s story. I have place high value on learning from my own family, their life experiences, and the impact adoption has had in my own family.  I am excited to grow in the International program, be a part of something greater that allows others to expand their families in such a beautiful unique way.  It has been an honour to have this opportunity and I feel so fortunate that others allow me into their lives and bring me along in their journey.

 

I am a wife, and mother to four wonderful kids in my personal life. I enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling whenever possible.

Erika Moore BSW RSW

Domestic Program Supervisor, Edmonton

Led to the Social Work profession from her own experience of being a Birthmother, Erika always dreamed of a career with Adoption Options. Since acquiring her Social Work education in 2004, Erika’s professional experience has always centered around working with children and families. In 2012, Erika formally joined the Adoption Options team and over the past decade has worked as a social worker in both the Calgary and Edmonton offices. Most recently, Erika took on a leadership role with AO as Domestic Program Supervisor. Erika’s heart and passion is in open adoption practice, and she deeply values the courage, resilience, and love that is lived by every member of the adoption circle.

In her personal life, Erika is a mother to two great kids, a wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

Heather Johnson SW Dip., BSW, BHSc., RSW

Social Worker, Calgary

Heather has been a registered social worker for 21 years working across many areas including with youth at risk, in adult addictions and mental health, with people living with HIV/AIDS, and in social work regulation and association. Heather is a mother to three, a partner, a daughter, sister, friend, and colleague. Heather has been with Adoption Options since 2015 as a contract home study writer. In 2019, Heather competed her third year BSW practicum in house at Adoption Options and has since had the opportunity to move into a part-time in-house position. Heather believes that it is a privilege to be a social worker because you on the front lines of someone’s story. It has been a great joy for Heather to be a part of the AO team for these last six years and she looks forward to continued learning and growing with the birthparents and families at AO.

Amanda Hillier RSW, CBIS

Social Worker, Edmonton

I graduated from MacEwan University in 2015, I tried out a few different Social Work roles until I stumbled upon Adoption Options via the ACSW website. I was initially drawn to the ALL options counselling that AO offers to anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy or anyone that is struggling with parenting. Offering women all of their options gives them choice and that is deeply important to me. I was lucky enough to be offered an interview with Sheryl and I began working for Adoption Options in October 2018. I worked primarily in the domestic program out of the Edmonton office until October 2019 when I was given the opportunity to work in the international adoption program as well. I feel lucky to be able to work in both programs and to be part of such a loving, dedicated and passionate team of women.

Billi Thurston, RSW

Social Worker, Edmonton

“Adoption Options has played a significant role in my story, and I am so grateful to be a part of this incredible team. I have been involved in volunteer work with Adoption Options since 2017. My journey ultimately led me to the Social Work Diploma at MacEwan and a practicum at AO. During this time, I was inspired by the team and their dedication to providing non-judgemental services. After graduating from the program, I started working as the in-house part-time social worker at the Edmonton office. Now, I am back at MacEwan to complete my Bachelor of Social Work! I am a proud Birthmother to my son and share a beautiful relationship with him and his parents. When I am not at work or studying for my degree, I enjoy exploring the food scene in Edmonton and spending time with my family and friends. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work alongside our clients and the AO team!”

Janniene Jones, BSW, RSW

Social Worker, Calgary

My name is Janniene Jones, and I earned my social work degree from MacEwan University in 2021. Since then, I have had the privilege of working with children and families to create safe, nurturing environments. My focus has been on supporting parents and caregivers in building essential skills, overcoming personal challenges, and enhancing their well-being and parenting abilities. My work has deepened my understanding of the diverse and dynamic forms that families can take, revealing that at their core, successful homes are built on loving and dedicated individuals.

I am passionate about creating inclusive, judgment-free spaces where individuals can grow and thrive. I was drawn to AO because of its commitment to supporting women and empowering them with meaningful choices. The close-knit community at AO is truly inspiring, and I look forward to contributing to this community and providing compassionate support to everyone who seeks it.

Kiera Forrest, BSW, RSW

Social Worker, Edmonton

I began school at the University of Alberta in Women’s and Gender Studies and obtained my Bachelor of Social Work from MacEwan University in 2020. Throughout my education and since graduating, I have been fortunate to have had a variety of roles within my passion of sexual and reproductive health and anti-violence. Having worked in abortion care and with youth who have chosen to parent, I felt I wanted to expand my knowledge of the experience of adoption to be able to confidently provide all options counselling. These are emotional choices that each have challenges and joys, and the opportunity to support people in fully exploring their options and walk alongside them on their journey is something I am so grateful for. Since being with AO, I have felt connected to the many different aspects of the work, from paperwork to relationship building and am looking forward to getting to know those who choose AO to play a role in their adoption story! I feel so lucky to be part of a team of incredibly caring and passionate people who are so dedicated to all those we serve. In my personal life, I love caring for my cats, spending time by the river or in the trees (and just outside in general), and nurturing my cherished relationships, including the one I have with myself.

Cara Hoffman

Court Document Administrator, Edmonton

I am thrilled to work for Adoption Options – I love being a part of building these unique families. I am parenting four children (mostly happily) and playing piano in my small stretches of free time. I also enjoy reading. I have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and prior to becoming a parent worked as a front-line social worker at Adoption Options. I now enjoy working part-time behind the scenes supporting the administrative demands of the agency.

Jennifer Coutu

Office Administrator, Calgary

Hello! My name is Jennifer and I am so glad to be joining the Adoption Options team. This position first attracted me because of the “why” we do what we do. I am also a birth mom to a 21 year old boy and am thankful for an agency like Adoption Options that made my decision seamless. I am grateful to be able to now work for an agency in return. I have also worked with many non profit organizations and have volunteered most of my life. I look forward to seeing where this journey will take me and connecting with people through the wonderful world of adoption.

Jaleya Stubbard

Office Administrator, Edmonton

Hi! My name is Jaleya, I’ve been a part of Adoption Options for a little amount of time, but I’ve loved every second! The amazing and hard-working people I get to work with everyday along with this beautiful cause makes working at Adoption Options perfect. I was internationally adopted at birth into a loving family of which I currently live with in Edmonton. I’ve spent most of my life living in Calgary (and a very tiny portion of it in Penticton), but I will have to say that Edmonton is my favorite place to live.

Since graduating high school, I have since spent my time travelling, spending time with my family and friends, and working on figuring out what I want to do for post-secondary. I recently learned about Social Work, more specifically ones who work in adoption, and it blew me away. As someone who is very fortunate to be a part of a kind and healthy family, understanding that there is a field of work dedicated to helping children find inclusive, loving, and safe families means a lot to me. Adoption is a very important process that I believe everyone should have the chance to be included in, and I am honored to be helping with that in every way that I can.

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Make A Difference Right Now

We strive to keep fees for adoptive parents affordable. Donations to Adoption Options let us provide professional services in the adoption community free of charge. Adoption Options is a not-for-profit agency and a registered charity.

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