The Gift of Life and Adoption

Living with unanswered questions is one of the greatest difficulties experienced by those involved in an adoption and that is why search and reunion services are part of the life-long services available to our birthmothers and adoptees. Katrina Carlisle, Adoption Search & Reunion Specialist at St. Elizabeth|Coleman, invests her time educating, guiding and counseling the adoptees who want to learn more about their biological family: the birthmothers who long to know if their children are healthy and happy; and the adoptive parents who may want or need updated medical information for their children.


The search and reunion services are available only for those adoptions completed by St. Elizabeth|Coleman Adoption Services, Suemma Coleman, St. Vincent Orphanage, Catholic Charities Bureau, Catholic Charities Kokomo, Catholic Charities Lafayette and Lutheran Family & Child Services. If an adoption was handled by another agency that does not provide search services, the court can be petitioned to appoint a confidential intermediary. Katrina has been appointed many times as confidential intermediary to assist families.

Last year the Search & Reunion Program helped 234 people with their questions and successfully completed 31 searches. Katrina receives many heartfelt thanks. A gentleman recently sent a letter of thanks which included this sentiment: “In light of all the political debates surrounding abortion and contraception issues, it has made me very aware that I may certainly have not have been given the gift of life and adoption from my birthmother had St. Elizabeth Home not been her option 50 years ago. Thank you for all that you do for the expectant mothers and their babies.”

For more information, please visit www.GivingBirthToHope.org.