“I reached out to the adoption agency at the lowest point in my life. I was pregnant, homeless, using substances, and didn’t know where to turn or who would care. The social worker spoke to me with care and compassion, and I knew she wasn’t judging me. We worked together to get some new supports in place and find a temporary solution for my baby until I could get clean and be her mom again. They not only saved my life, but also my baby’s. I am thankful that they work with what is best for the child, even if that doesn’t mean an adoption at the end.”

- bio mom

“I was adopted internationally at age four through AMARIS. I’m now an adult and cannot imagine what my life would be like had my parents not chosen to step out of their comfort zone and open their home for children. There was war and violence and poverty where I was from. There was also joy and music and culture that my parents also tried to make sure I embraced and was proud of. One day, I want to go back to my home country and make a difference. I know that AMARIS provided my parents with training and guidance so that they would know how to support me with my history, including my culture and heritage. I am so grateful that they were a huge part of changing my life forever and I know my family is grateful too.”

- an adoptee

"In 2020 middle of Covid, I found myself in an unstable situation. The future was not looking bright, fear had set in, I was the most depressed I had ever been and the thought of giving up was right there! Then I got a positive pregnancy test on top of it. A little hope that I needed to keep going but truth be told the fear got higher. I knew this pregnancy was the “consequence” to my actions and I had to grow up and face it. Abortion was not an option. It wasn’t a part of my beliefs, there were better options out there, but the first option on my mind was to be a mom the best I could. My parents were a lot more supportive then I ever thought they would be but the question “what about adoption” came up a couple times.

Unsure of how much strength I had to have to pursue adoption I spent the next 7 months planning my announcement, my birth, my baby shower, picking out names and attempting to set up a future for my soon to be little girl. 

Ultimately something changed, I went in for my 30 week check up and was faced with the “how are you feeling question?” To which I answered “I’m okay but I think I want to take a different route”, although surprised my doctor didn’t hesitate to seek different routes for me. A few days later a social worker reached out to me, and presented me with three adoption agencies. The colourful words on AMARIS poster really stood out to me. I assume it was because I needed the little colour in my life after such a dark 7 months! My social worker went above and beyond! The absolute NICEST lady at AMARIS walked me through the process. 

At this point I still hadn’t told my family this is what I was doing. Middle of Covid, eight weeks to my due date we were in a time crunch. 

AMARIS was so caring and mindful of the last minute situation. I told myself if I wasn’t 100% certain on the family I chose, then adoption wasn’t the right route. Profile after profile nothing was feeling 100% until the last profile was put in front of me! It felt right! Being middle of Covid, meet ups in person were hard to obtain. Two weeks to my due date our options were running slim so a video call with the family was set up. I finally told my parents at this point who were elated to hear of my choice.

My first time meeting the family was 8 hours after my little girl had been born. Everything happened so fast after that but AMARIS made sure to never leave me in the dust, always checking up on me and making sure it went exactly how I wanted it to go. 

We are coming up to our 4 year adoption anniversary with AMARIS and although I never want to go through the process again, I would 100% do it with AMARIS all over. 4 years later I still get checked up on, and presented opportunities to bring awareness to adoption. I also have a strong bond with my adoption family and my little girl. AMARIS has shown me that, when you surround yourself with the right people, the strength provided to you will be enough to get through the tough times.

Thank you AMARIS for bringing families together."

- birth mom

“AMARIS has been in my life since before I was born. I had the privilege of being adopted through AMARIS. My parents adopted myself and my two sisters through this agency. 

I have many fond memories of attending the annual picnics and Christmas parties throughout my childhood years. Those unique events were a special way of our family staying connected with the agency and being able to meet other families that were a part of the adoption world.  

My mom served as a board member for many years. In 2014, AMARIS reached out to me to ask if I would want to join the board. I eagerly said yes and I'm so thankful I did.  

Through the last 10 years of being a part of the board, it has been wonderful to see the work that AMARIS does and hear about all the moving parts within the agency. There is vision and purpose at AMARIS and the staff all stand behind it. Serving on the board has also given me a unique opportunity as I have been able to share with other board members a different perspective as an adoptee.  

Amaris continues to strive that every child deserves a loving home. I am thankful for AMARIS and all the work they do for every child and family. It has been a beautiful journey for me with my adoption as I have been able to come into contact with my birth mom and share a relationship with her as well as my two daughters. The impact of AMARIS in my life has visibly spread far and wide. “

- an adoptee

“Becoming adoptive parents was a dream we carried in our hearts for years, but the path felt overwhelming—until we found AMARIS. From the very first conversation, they walked beside us with compassion, clarity, and genuine care. They didn’t just guide us through the process; they supported our hearts through every high and low. Today, our home is filled with laughter, footsteps, and a love we can hardly put into words. It hasn’t always been perfect or easy, but AMARIS didn’t just help us adopt a child—they helped us become a family. Our lives are forever changed, and we are endlessly grateful.”

- adoptive parents 

“In the spring, after about a year of paperwork, my husband and I, along with our biological children, travelled to Ukraine to meet our son for the first time. In a small cramped room in the back of an office building, we were presented with the file of a 20-month-old little boy, who happened to have Down Syndrome. Our intent was always to adopt a child with Down Syndrome. We had our home study written specifically for this need and were thrilled to find out this beautiful boy was available to be adopted! Our family spent the next six weeks in Ukraine visiting him twice daily at his orphanage. On April 20, we officially passed court and became parents to our second son. We flew back to Canada for the post-court mandatory waiting period and, five weeks later, I flew back to Ukraine to pick him up, wait for his passport, and finally bring him home to Canada. Since arriving home, our sweet boy has blossomed in so many ways. From a quiet, sad toddler to a lively, energetic, tiny tornado of a little boy! He brings so much light and joy to our home and we truly could not imagine life without him. Down Syndrome has been the greatest blessing for our family. What once seemed intimidating, or even scary, has turned out to be exactly what we never knew we needed. We look forward to growing together as a family of five and are forever grateful to all those who played a part in helping us get our little Ukrainian home!”

-adoptive family