Bethany Christian Services

Agency Bethany Christian Services
Description Bethany Christian Services is the nation’s largest adoption agency, and also serves women facing unplanned pregnancies and orphans living on five continents. Comprehensive services include adoption, temporary foster care, counseling, training, and family support. BCS is committed to finding the best families for children in need around the world. Non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides adoption and orphan care services through a national network of over 80 locations and is licensed in more than 30 U.S. states. With a strong fiscal history and over 1,000 staff, BCS initiates and maintains innovative child-focused programming both nationally and internationally and in accordance with accepted conventions, standards of care, and best practices.
Location 901 Eastern Ave NE PO Box 294
Grand Rapids
49501
Michigan
Contact Info Email this Adoption Agency
Adoptable Races
Caucasian Adoptions
Biracial Adoptions
African American Adoptions
Asian Adoption Program
Hispanic Adoption Program
Other Races
Adoption Services
International Adoptions
Domestic Adoption Program
Infant Adoptions
Homestudy Services
Current Rating
2.3
 (15 reviews)
Expense Range This agency has a base expense range of 0 to 0
Comments / Reviews
at - said:
I tried to put my son up for adoption 4 years ago and they said they would handle everything. 2 years later I found out that wasn't adopted and found out that his father that was abusive to me got custody of him and now I'm paying child support to this child that I don't even get to see
at - said:
Hi, My name is Devon and i was adopted out, by Bethany christian services when i was 7 years old, after foster care from age 3/4 to age 7. I was unfortunently adopted to a very horrible family, that justwanted the money, and slave workers. Very early into the year i was adopted, the adopted mother stepped on me while i was under water in the pool. I was so scarred i ran and hid under a horse trailer.. They had gotten a divorce when i was 10 and the hell got even hotter and more horrible from their, my adopted mother got with an alcoholic, and the father got with an evil convict ladie who wanted one thing, his money from the checks they recieved.. I first lived with the adopted mom and step dad, where we were abused almost every day and i was melested while the mother allowed it, locked outside naked..i gained the courage to move in with the adpoted dad and step mom because they lead me to believe it would be great, well not long after we were rehomed their did i start getting abused emotionally by step mother, and physically by adpoted father..I was not allowed to have friends, play sports,get a job, go to dances or anything other than come home and be their cynderella, cleaning the floors on my hands and knees with a wash cloth and a towel, doing the dishes making dinner, i understand everyone needs chores, but my brother did npthing i had to do all the chores all the time..!! I ran away when i was 17 and lived with several families, went to several schools just to be able to graduate high school.I had stolen food and other items i needed untill i got caught and was in jail for a week, i knew it was wrong but i needed food and other things, which is np excuse but i was 17...I now own a business, am certified CNA, Emergency disbatcher and almost finished with corrections. I also have a beautiful daughter of my own that i do not let out of my site for anything!! I thankfully used my negative childhood, to become someone.to remove myself from that evil life..I still have several things wrong with me judt due to not having family to talk to, to shop with to hug, I feel like i would have been better off Raising myself from age 3 on..but it made me who i am ..All i want to know is how did i end up with the same POS'S that get their kids taken away. Instead of an actual family? I hope i can get some answeres as to how these crooked people got to adopt me? Thank you all for reading and please try your best to keep your child, their are food benifits, houseing plans contact someone to help, because its not always about money, I just wanted to be loved..I will forever have a huge whole missing something,I will never let my daughter feel neglected second. She is my life.BTW i am now going to be 25 in January.
at - said:
For anybody on here that needs someone to talk with I am here to listen. I used this agency almost 18 years ago for a son that I delivered when I was 15. Good or bad I am happy to help in any way. My email is candacellial@yahoo.com
at - said:
My experience of this agency is horrible. They have more respect for the potiental adoptive parents than the first mothers. Anyone thinking of making an adoption plan should explore all options and take a really good look at the possibility of raising your own. Adoption is the one insistution that is not regulated and does not have a code of conduct to adhear by. So please First Mothers really think hard and long if you decide to relinquish! Your child will thank you for keeping them.
at - said:
My husband have been with Bethany Christian Services for 2 Years! We have had 2- disrupted adoptions. We had one baby for 27 days... heartbreaking. I don't recommend Bethany Christian based on alot of trouble with the staff not following through as needed. Now I am faced with finding another agency and all the start up expenses involved. Save your heart- go somewhere else!!!
at - said:
I cannot say enough about this wonderful agency and support system for birth mothers, adoptive parents and especially their commitment to the welfare of the children. They are professionals with great integrity and commitment. We adopted our son when he was 2 months old and had the most awesome experience dealing with them. Our son found his birth mother through BCS when he was 19 years old. She has become part of our family. She, too, recounts to us her wonderful experience with the agency when she was a very young woman who needed lots of help. She received it from BCS A++++++++
at - said:
I gave up my baby through Bethany Christian. They promised me it would be open and after it was finalized, the adopted family no longer wants any contact. Bethany tells me it is their choice as it is their baby now and if they do not want any contact, that I have to wait until he is 18 to see if he does. I did not know this. I thought it would be the way I was told by my worker. Be sure you are aware of this if you are giving up your baby. They promised me counseling and once adoption finalized, nothing. I wish I never gave him up.
at - said:
Well some things about my adoption experience was good. Some not. I think Bethany Christian Service itself was not bad but I think Missouri treats birthmothers poorly and Aimee Wiggers was very judgemental and said I was angry I got pregnant. And that wasn't true. I need support encouragement and understanding and did not receive that from her. The adobtive family was serve but I was not. Was not given greive counseling and when they picked up Bekah they pretty much used me and threw me away. Would not provide adobtion counseling and was told that I was a pest and this was the hardest thing I ever did with no support from Sarah Hassler or Aimee Wiggers. The only one that had compassion was Dee Shaw. Aimee Wiggers worked with DFS so she use this to hurt birth parents and only work for this Agency for adobtive parents they were treated well. I was not. I was even almost raped cause they would not talk to me and I had to go to a stranger for help when they knew I had no support and blocked my number. Was yelled at by Sarah Hassler the first night I called after they picked up Bekah but I was having a real hard time letting go of my daughter. This is true and no Blasphemous in any was and I think Bethany knows this and does not care about Birthparents. I would never recommend adobtion especially with this Agency.Aimee Wiggers was judgemental and had no love in her heart and I need understanding and compassion at this most difficult time in my life.
at - said:
The Bethany staff was wonderful to work with. We adopted our daughter through them. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them and I recommend them to everyone.
at - said:
So far, I've been very disapointed with Bethany Christian Adoption Services in Traverse City, Michigan. I submitted my adoption paperwork almost a year ago, worked with DHS to get a foster parent license, attendted PRIDE 1 classes, to adopt two relative (non-blood) children that are in foster care. I've contacted Bethany services numerous times to set up my home visit, etc. and they keep putting me off. With these children being older, and in the state system, you would think that they would be welcoming someone interested in adopting them. I am clean as a whistle, having passed every background, criminal and security background check there is. I don't know what else to do.
at - said:
We worked with Bethany on adopting our first child. We were placed within 3 months of our home study being complete which I know is very fast. And overall, this agency is great, their staff absolutely knows what they are doing and are always ahead of the game. What I really liked is that they believe in real counseling to the birthmoms to help them walk through their decision to either parent themselves or enter into an adoption agreement. As a christian, even it means waiting longer for us, I want the birthparents to make the decision that is right for them and Bethany does a great job of walking them through that and not pushing them to go the adoption route. We have recently posted our profile again and hope we are able to adopt a second child. Again overall, this agency is awesome, a great experience, and really gets it from both a birthparent and adoptive parent view.
at - said:
My husband and I were disappointed with the Bethany Christian Adoption office in Arkansas. The staff was very friendly, but they make you feel as if you have to make tons of money or they will not work with you as an adoptive family. They also have a debt to income ratio so if you have lots of student debt and do not make over $100,000 they will not approve you to adopt with them. I know others who have successfully adopted from them, but we chose another agency.
at - said:
We became a family through Bethany Christian Services and they were extremely available to answer all of our questions; they are GREAT to work with. The lead us through the process step by step. I would recommend them highly.
at - said:
We adopted Domestic through BCS in 2010/11 and our experiance here in Va was awesome. They are dedicated to the families they serve. I would highly recommend BCS to anyone looking for a legit place to adopt from. We were pleased with every aspect of the process. They do it right and we felt very comfortable in everyway. Not to mention they love the God they serve too. It was a blessing and cont to be.
at - said:
My husband and I are very disappointed with Bethany Christian Services St. Louis Office. We expected more from them. I would advise anyone wanting to adopt to find another adoption agency.