The pandemic has in one way or another changed everyone’s lives. During the pandemic for my family, we welcomed my niece and my parents’ began their journey as grandparents. We Facetimed my brother as he got engaged because we could not all be there safely. We even adopted a dog into the family.

But, I wanted to know how child adoptions have been impacted during the pandemic.

Given that my mother was adopted, this topic is very near and dear to my heart and I wanted to see how it changed adoption rates.

Like just about everything else, the adoption rates at The Villages in Bloomington were impacted. Some were “put on hold” while the courts worked to figure out a safe way to adopt during a pandemic that calls people to be six feet apart.

I spoke with the Director of Adoptions at the Villages.

Margaret Abrell has worked at The Villages for 25 plus years and said her career path hits home.

“I guess my motivation for adoptions is my daughter,” Abrell said.

And although each adoption experience is different, some families shared their personal experience  of adopting a child during the pandemic.

Abrell said that it is very important to spread awareness of the importance of adoption, especially during the pandemic.

For more information on The Villages, head to their website.