a little bit about us

First, let us just say that we're so glad you're here.

Raquel (left) & Leah (right) met through their shared experience as birthmothers on Instagram too many years ago to count but it was their shared passion for education and advocacy through a lens of empathy and grace that eventually deepened their friendship. After a few shared conferences and a conversation that lasted until 3am the idea of a nonprofit took root. That sleep deprived dinner table conversation quickly became an undeniable calling.

meet Raquel

raised in kinship care, birthmom, kinship adoptive mom

This *gestures widely* was never part of the plan ... more of a happy little accident, as Bob Ross would say. Wild how some of our hardest moments can become a catalyst for some of our best. My unique experiences as a child raised in kinship care, birth mom, parenting mom, and kinship adoptive mom have inspired me to cultivate the resources I could have also benefitted from. I feel so fortunate to be building a legacy that will hopefully outlive me and a life full of hope, healing, and joy. When I'm not behind a screen I'm likely outside, barefoot, and happier than a seagull with a french fry.

more about Raquel

meet Leah

domestic, open adoption birthmom

As a mom of five, a birth mom, adoption educator, writer and speaker I get asked often, “How do you do it all?” And, I honestly don’t know the answer, I just do. I do because I’m passionate about everything I choose to step into, and this space is no different. I find joy in sharing my experiences in hopes that it helps others. When I’m taking time for myself, I’m often found snuggling a cat and reading a good book.

more about Leah

meet our board of directors

These are the folks who steer our organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure our nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.


Leah Outten

co-president

Having lived as a birth mother for the past 21 years, Leah has a heart overflowing with compassion for everyone touched by adoption and is eager to use her personal experience to help build better resources.

Raquel McCloud

co-president

Growing up in kinship care, becoming a birthmom at 15 and a kinship caregiver then adoptive mom by 24, Raquel is passionate about pouring into these underserved communities.

To Be Decided

secretary/treasurer

short bio