Ivory Starkes-Smith

is adopting a child from United States of America

We have BIG news!

We are adopting a baby!

We are beyond excited and are doing everything we can to be prepared to welcome a beautiful new life into our home. As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign. It may surprise you to hear that adoption related costs can easily total up to $35,000 or more. This is why we have set a goal of 25K to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents.

I am a business owner of 2 spas. One in Ohio and one in Oregon; and my husband travels a lot as he works in Alaska. We currently have 2 children. Both biological; our daughter is 11 and our son is 13. I home school my children myself. My daughter at 11 years old in the 6th grade has a 7th grade math level and 8th grade reading level. My son at 13 years old in the 8th grade and has a 8th grade math level and 9th grade reading level. I have incorporated the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) into their learning. Every Friday is hands on learning day; we go on trips, to libraries, make projects, etc. Just recently, we made a light up card for my younger brother using old Christmas lights, wire, and a 9 volt battery. I was fun and we learned transfer of electricity. The last trip we just went on was Mount Rushmore; it was beautiful and educational. These are just examples of my home schooling styles.

Just recently (March of 2017) we were pregnant with a little girl her name was Ellah Amarikus Dream; but due to my cervix being weak we lost her at 22 weeks of gestation. This tragic event has hit the entire family very hard as we were all anticipating her arrival. After my check ups, we found out that in order for me to carry a child I would have to undergo a procedure that is called an abdominal cerclage; and this isn't guaranteed 100% I will carry full term because by this point; it was our 3rd miscarriage. So because of this event, my husband and I have decided to adopt an infant to alleviate the possible heartache again. We are very happy with our decision and we all are looking forward to our new addition coming to our family.

We hope that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of the community we hope to build around our child as he/she grows up. Love is our 5th family core value. The love of blessings we have to give is an abundance. We thank all of you that can donate to our lovely journey.


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$50 raised of $25,000 goal
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  • Anonymous gave $50