The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 31

THE TENNESSEAN Sunday, Pwombor 7 1997 1 IB ADOP HON: LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME 1 Tiis family's in its 'second trimester' of adopting child Tim ASHLAND CITY This will be the last normal holiday season in the Burgart house. And that's what they've been working toward for the past four months. Since August, the couple has been attending family classes at the Center for Adoption in Nashville to prepare for adopting an older child or iJkl Chavez like that the child is not a baby." Janet is appreciative of the fears that have been calmed. "There are so many stigmas and concerns when going into this as a parent" Janet says. "This process allows you to have opportunity to take out some of the stereotypes that go with it When you become familiar with what you're facing, and you realize youll continue to have the resources and support system, it takes the fear out of the unknown.

It is empowering." Ultimately, the Burgarts feel they have an advantage over conventional parents. "Most everyone can become a parent without much effort," Kevin says. "To become an adoptive parent tor an older child, requires understanding." And a lot of love. Ewing-Roush, who is working with the Burgarts, calls them a very loving couple. "They live in the country and try to have a simple approach to things," Ewing-Roush says.

"They are very excited about the process and have become very attached to children in the newspaper. They are happy for them when they hear they are placed, but they also are a little down." The Burgarts' feelings have changed thus far through the adoption process. Before, they wanted only one child, age 10 or younger. "Now we feel we can bond with an older child," Kevin says. "Through the program, IVe learned that I am emotionally more capable of dealing with a broader range of problems.

I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I no replacement for preparation. "We put a lot of effort in talking of the different situations kids come from, their loss and grief issues," says adoption counselor Adrienne Ewing-Roush. "They're searching for their identity. We believe all of these things can be overcome on different levels," she says.

Kevin Burgart agrees, from experience. He was adopted as an infant "I had to go through a discovery part of my life," Kevin says. "There still is the need to know. I have empathy for children in this program. I can understand the things they question in themselves emotionally.

Children need to have an identity. A lot of children in this program havent been given an identity yet" cessful adoptions." While it is everyone's hope that the 23 children who have been profiled since July in The Tennessean's series "Looking for a Place to Call Home" would have a home to call their own for the holidays, that is not possible in this careful process. Two girls, 6-year-old Ashley Nicole and 10-year-old Tara, have potential families identified for them. "We hope many of the children featured will find their families among the group of adults that has responded," says Jan Dick of the Center for Adoption. "But we still need more African-American families to step forward." In the past year, the center has placed 156 children into adoptive families, compared to 91 the previous year.

Adoptions do happen. But there is cial worker now is conducting a home study, interviews and report on what kind of child would be ideal for them. "This involves no more time than 'we would have had in a regular pregnancy," says Janet Burgart. "We call this our second trimester. couple says, giving them time to bond not only as husband and wife but also as parents.

"We are hoping for holidays being different from here on out," Janet says. "Now we are thinking as a family unit." The process of adoption is not a fast track toward getting as many kids as possible out of foster care and into permanent homes. The emphasis is on doing everything possible beforehand to create "suc The tnira is when we explore connecting with the child." The time to study and ask questions has been a real blessing, the The Tennessean is working with the Center for Adoption to profile children eligible for adoption. The center, a collaboration between Family and Children's Service and the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, has 276 children listed on its registry of adoptable children. Their stories will appear regularly.

Evil! ttlne Mdlirein) To learn more For more information, call the Center for Adoption at 321-3867. ble things like that," the blue-eyed seventh-grader said. "I would like an ail-American family. But not a Leave It to Beaver type." Robert is an honest and friendly kid with a good sense of humor. He likes to read Reader's Digest and tinker with cars and electronics.

Antionette, 9, is a bright, positive little girl to whom a smile comes easily. Her teacher wrote: "A joy to have In class" on her report card this semester. It was an honor roll report card filled with A's and B's. Antionette longs for a family of her own, a family she can "go out to the movies with and go to the mall with to see what I can get for Christmas." James is a little shy at first. He's pretty good at keeping his deep blue eyes downcast until he warms up.

And he always does, eventually. "He's energetic and eager to please," says Pamela Williamson, James' caseworker. "James needs a two-parent family that is calm and consistent and will give him frequent reassurance and Is committed to him. He needs supervision." James is in the third grade. Jessica's blue eyes sparkle when she smiles.

Her brother, Christopher, a funny 12-year-old, offers shy smiles and quick answers when he speaks. He's a joke-teller. She, at 14, Is described as frank, responsible and confident, wants to be an actress and is looking forward to Tyromeo is hearing impaired. He wears hearing aids and attends special classes. And he chiefly communicates through sign language, although his speech continues to improve.

The brothers, twin 7-year-olds, run and play with a boundless energy. Tyromeo is described as cuddlier, and Tyronne Is the more independent. Nicholas and Richie have been down this road before the search for a home and family. It isn't a place they ever expected to be. Again.

But when their adoptive mother with whom they lived for six years died three years ago and there was no one to take them In, the teen-age brothers were once again placed in the custody of the state. They hope things turn out differently this time. "You think about adoption a lot," said 14-year-old Rick, the name he prefers to be called. He is the more expressive and talkative of the brothers. "You think about it because of what happened last time." Nick is 15.

He's tall and lanky and thinks a lot about food, particularly double cheeseburgers. How to sum up Lance? Cool kid. Talkative, funny, athletic, energetic, intelligent. The 9-year-old will tell you what he likes: "Drawing, swimming, playing basketball, baseball, football, Chuck E. Cheese, Old Country Buffet, O'Charley's." And what he doesn't like: "Squash.

I hate squash. And I don't like peas much." Here is a quick look at the children waiting for adoption who have been profiled in The Tennessean so far this year: Joseph, 13, says he wants a family with whom he can go to the beach and camp. "Take me into custody so I don't have to be in placement all my life," he says to a family. "I was a good son before. I can be Joseph, whose mother died a few years ago, is outgoing and likes to tell jokes.

He loves to read, has a religious faith and can do a pretty good Elvis Presley impersonation. Byron, 8, Shaunda, 6, and Myron, 5, know what family is about. "A child, an adult, daddy, momma," Shaunda says. "Helping each other," Byron adds. "Playing on the playground, swinging on the bars," Shaunda says.

"Taking care of you, playing with you, at the school and in the house," Byron concludes. "Sharing good things with more kids at home." These siblings are playful, energetic and athletic, and like school. 0 To say James is "easygoing" is almost an understatement, his caseworker says. He is, at 16, one of the most polite and centered young men caseworker Stephanie Scott says she has ever worked with. Finding him a family Is an urgent matter.

James, frustrated by many years of being wrapped up in a state system, has decided high school drama classes. Shera, John and Nikki are a package deal. No more separations. "They say it's not like being a family when you just talk to each other on the phone," said the children's caseworker, Joye Duvall. The three siblings were separated once.

Today, they live in the same foster home as they wait for a family to adopt them. Shera is 11, Johnny, 10, and Nikki, 4. "Off the top of my head, I would say that we would like a family that would be understanding and have patience. We can get out of hand sometimes. Just like other kids," Shera said, breaking into a smile.

Joseph says this about himself: "I'm good and smart, and I'm 9 years old. I love animals and snakes and dinosaurs. "I want a family that has kids about my age, has dogs or cats. I want a family that doesn't smoke, and I want a Christian family that goes to church," he said. "And a family that does stuff.

Not one that just stays home and watches TV. I guess that's it." Joseph wanted to be profiled In the paper, caseworker Stephanie Scott said. "He wants a family to see the story and adopt him," she said. Tyronne often serves as his brother Ty-romeo's entry into the hearing world. "I taught him how to sign," Tyronne said.

"I learned it when I was really small. I've also taught my foster mothers." to seek emancipation from the state. He wants to be on his own and has asked the court to decide whether that is possible. However, James says he'd much prefer a family to come home to. Jacinta, 7, and Natalya, 11, are polite, fun and talented singers, according to their caseworker, Bernice Patton.

"I'm in first grade," Jacinta said. "I like to play with Barbies and baby dolls. My dolls are Maria and Jasmine." Natalya, an honor roll student says: "I like to have nails and wear baggy, baggy, baggy clothes. I like to carry purses, and I always wear Chapstick, and my favorite candy is Skittles." Mike, at 15, knows what he wants: to belong to a Christian family with children and join the military as a career. Mike, who's in the ninth grade, also enjoys camping, drawing and playing football.

History is his favorite subject. He likes to go to church. He watches The Simpsons and Beverly Hills 90210. Robert, 13, would like to be part of a family with other children close to his age. "So we can go places, family picnics, family reunions, go to the movies.

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