Hello, I’m Karen from Oakland, California. Thank you for taking the time to get to know a bit about me!

I can imagine that you are at this place because you want the best for your child. To me, that is brave beyond words. I want you to know that I bring a strong commitment to you, and to open adoption as the way to create a family. I want to welcome you into my life, because there can never be too many people to love a child, and there are so many wonderful ways to make a family.

I look forward to learning about you and your dreams for the future. I believe everything happens for a reason, and that reason has brought me here, and to you. I’m looking forward to all that the future holds!

my story

I grew up in Michigan and moved to California in 2001. I work in management for a small city in the Bay Area. I love where I live and work, and I can't wait to share my life with a child. I’ve always known I should be a mom. Children are so pure and brilliant, and I love being around them. I especially love being an aunt to my nephew Josh and my niece Amanda, and they are a big part of my life. I have several people in my life that have adopted siblings or children, and I am so inspired by the idea of open adoption for my own family.

I am part of a wonderful family. I look forward to showing a child where I came from in Michigan, playing at the lake in summertime, sledding in the snow in wintertime, and seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins. My mother, Cathy, is so supportive, and is a fantastic grandmother. She will be a very involved and hands-on grandma. My father, Stan, will be a regular visitor and looks forward to spending time with a new grandchild. My brother and his family live in northern Virginia. Josh and Amanda will be amazing cousins to look up to. My brother Steve and sister-in-law Darlene will be the kind of uncle and aunt that any child can count on. I am devoted to my family, and they are thrilled at the idea of having a new child to love.

I am proud of my career, and I have worked hard to be in a position where I can provide for a family of my own. My city offers a lot for kids and families that to take advantage of, including camps, swim classes, activities, and fun events. I have several co-workers with children, and I’ve already got offers from the older kids to play and babysit! My boss and my co-workers are incredibly supportive. I have great flexibility in my job, including the ability to have an alternate schedule or even work from home at times. I look forward to my child being a part of the family that works for my city, and to show him/her how important it is to be a part of a community that cares about each other.

my interests

I am a huge sports fan, especially teams from Detroit (where I grew up) and Oakland (where I live), and I attend sporting events of all kinds whenever I can. I love to be outdoors, whether I’m walking around Lake Merritt after work, riding a bike along the Bay Trail, or day hiking on the weekend. The Bay Area is filled with so much to see and do, and I love to be near the ocean, wander through Golden Gate Park, walk through the redwoods, and take advantage of all the beauty that is nearby.

I love to read, and I'm always in the middle of at least one or two books. Our family has a book club, where every month or so we choose a book and get together via FaceTime to talk and learn about the book. One of my favorite things to do with all of the little kids in my life is read to them! It's a great way to inspire the love of reading, not to mention a great way to cuddle!

I also love to travel, and I have been lucky to travel our country as well as all over the world. I hope to inspire in my child the love of the outdoors and far-away places. There is so much out there to see!

my home and community

I love the community here in Oakland, California, near beautiful Lake Merritt.  I have a fantastic support network of friends, family, and co-workers nearby. It will be so fun to walk to Children’s Fairyland with my child, to enjoy the rides and activities and play with other children. Oakland is so beautifully diverse and interesting, and I love the idea of raising a child in the Bay Area! My friends and I are extended family to each other, and my child will have a ready-made playgroup as we share holidays, family dinners, games, and outings. I can’t wait to bring a child of my own to join in the fun!

I live in a spacious apartment in Oakland, and the surrounding neighborhood is full of parks, cafes, museums, shops, and many things to do for families. My home is colorful and cozy, with a lovely view of San Francisco and Mt. Tamalpais, where I am often able to watch fireworks over the Bay! I share my home with two lovable cats, Chloe and Sydney, and I love to have friends and family over often. I enjoy hosting themed get-togethers, especially during big sporting events, with food, games, and lots of fun for all ages. I am known for my famous chili recipes and all the kids know that a visit to my home means all-you-can-drink tasty (and healthy) fruit smoothies! I love where I live and look forward to the day when I can share my home with my child.

creating a family

I will raise my child to be kind, to be safe, and to feel completely loved. My child will come first, and will be supported, encouraged, and given every opportunity to be able to learn, play, and explore. I will nurture my child’s creativity and independence, and surround my child with compassion, laughter, and of course, love.

I have several people in my life that have adopted siblings or children, and I am so inspired by the idea of open adoption for my own family. I have seen the love, trust, and respect that open adoption brings, especially the relationships that have developed between adoptive parents and birthparents, and have been moved by how the families have evolved and thrived. I know that open adoption takes strength, courage, and especially love, and I have so much love to give in return.