Commonwealth of Kentucky Makes Being an Adoption-Friendly Workplace a Top Priority

The first family of Kentucky is making their connection to adoption very well-known as they continue to ensure adoption benefits remain a priority for state employees. This year, the Commonwealth of Kentucky ranked second as an industry leader in the government category on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s annual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace list. Kentucky offers $5,000 in financial assistance to employees who adopt. Kentucky’s First Lady, Glenna Bevin wanted to share her story:

Matt and I are often asked why we decided to adopt. After all, when we made that decision, we were already blessed with 5 biological children. There's no simple answer to that question except to say that after working on various projects to benefit orphans, something began to stir inside us - something that said God was not quite finished growing our family.

Over time, Matt and I began to feel a calling that tugged at our heartstrings. Every time we thought about the children who didn't know what it was like to have loving parents who could patch scraped knees, tuck them in at night, or give them hugs of unconditional love, the calling grew stronger. So, after much prayer, we adopted our son, Jonah.

During that adoption process, we learned of a sibling group of orphans who were unlikely to be adopted. The 3 children were aged 3-10, and few families look to adopt older children and multiple siblings.

I'll never forget when the director of the orphanage asked us, "Could you take them?" It quickly became clear that these children had been placed in our lives so we could be the parents they needed. And then there were 9...

Being a parent is one of life's greatest gifts, and we are blessed to wake up every day to 9 smiling faces and enjoy a home full of love and laughter.
We are thrilled that Kentucky offers the Adoption Benefit Program to help state employees know the same joy. Whether you are looking to start a family or grow your family, we encourage you to consider adoption; consider opening your home and your heart to a child in need.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is proud to have partners like the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where the Foundation not only has a partner in adoption-friendly workplaces, but also a home for several Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiters.

To learn more about all the companies that applied for the Best Adoption Friendly Workplace and to see the Top 100 list, visit adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.