Editor’s Note: The name of the adopted child has been changed for confidentiality purposes.  

THOMASVILLE — A Thomasville adoption agency is looking to place children into forever homes one suitcase — or four — at a time. 

An Open Door Adoption Agency has seen progress since launching its adoption program “The Suitcase Movement.” 

“This year has seen a big increase,” said Elaine Pierce, program coordinator. 

In April, the first adoption through “The Suitcase Movement” was finalized. Six-year-old Ben was adopted to first-time parents. Ben, Pierce noted, was developmentally delayed prior to adoption.

Following placement into his new home, Ben’s grades and behavior improved, Pierce said. 

“He’s completely changed since he was adopted,” she added. 

Since the first official adoption, three additional families have approved home studies and are awaiting the match process. Of the three families, one is looking to adopt a sibling group of four, ages 16, 14, 9, and 8. 

“This one sibling group has spent 12 years in and out of foster care,” Pierce said. 

An Open Door also is in the process of writing home studies for three additional families. Currently, there are five active families seeking adoption through the “Suitcase” program. 

To fund the adoption program, the Open Future Endowment was started, according to Jane Gilbert, An Open Door executive consultant. 

The endowment funds: 

• Suitcase Movement — 50 percent 

• International program development — 20 percent

• Adoptive scholarships — 20 percent 

• Birth mother support — 10 percent

To date, the endowment has raised $514,000 of the $2 million goal. For more information on the Suitcase Movement, contact Karen Clendenin, domestic adoption assistant, at kclendenin@opendooradoption.org.

An Open Door Adoption Agency can be reached at (229) 228-6339.  

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.