For further information, please call 877-343-2856 or email matching@afamilyforeverychild.org

The Summers Family Profile

We think we would make the best home for a child under 12 years old. We are open to a boy or girl or a sibling group of boys or a boy and girl. We feel we can accommodate a sibling group of up to 2 kids. We are open to adopting a child of Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian or biracial ethnic background. We are open to children with many special needs. We do not mind having contact with the child's biological parents (by email, phone, skype, mail or in person) provided the parent was/is not abusive to the child. We do not mind having continuing contact with the child's former foster parents as well.

Introduction

Our names are Cindy and Monte Summers. Cindy 37 years old. Monte is 44 years old. We have one child named Lydia. She is 3 years old. Like us, our child has a caucasian ethnic background.

We both own our own businesses so we have flexible schedules which will be critical when bringing a new family member into the home.

Monte enjoys tinkering with electronics and computers. Cindy likes baking and organizing the home. Lydia enjoys playing outside by herself of with neighbors. She also likes helping out in the kitchen. The whole family enjoys boating on Lake Michigan in the summer.

Cindy is an active member of the Board of Directors for Pillars, a large social services organization, in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Cindy and Lydia are both Catholic. Lydia attends church each Sunday with her granddad. Cindy also attends when she can. Monte is not religious but supports Cindy and Lydia's participation in church activities.

We enjoy listening to many types of music, but Monte and Cindy mainly enjoy indie rock. We also play pop, folk rock, Motown, and French cafe music. Lydia occasionally enjoys children's music but often requests "daddy's music" instead. When at home the family spends time together preparing meals, playing, reading, going for walks, cleaning, and listening to music. Monte and Cindy like to watch TV together after Lydia goes to bed.

Home and Community

We live in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. We have a single family home and good relationships with our neighbors. We have a Lab Mix dog named Sammie.

During the summer we enjoy spending time on our boat on Lake Michigan. This time includes swimming, eating, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family. We like participating in local park district events, going on walks, and spending time with neighbors. We like to visit family in Illinois and Ohio periodically throughout the year. We also plan to have a family trip for spring break each year. This year we went to Puerto Rico.

Our community is rich with activities for children. The park district includes dozens of parks, two pools, a gymnastics center, indoor hockey, and various sports fields. There are special and seasonal family events like concerts, Easter egg hunts, sleigh rides, and more throughout the year.

We moved to Oak Park because of the highly rated public school system. Our daughter hasn't started at the elementary school yet so we don't have personal experience, but our neighbors have only positive things to say about the elementary school for our area. Our town and schools are very diverse in income, ethnicity, and abilities. We look forward to our children growing and learning in this environment. The schools also have many services for children with special needs which may be necessary as we go through the adoption process.

Parenting Experience

Monte and Cindy have direct experience raising their three year old daughter. She is emotionally and developmentally on target so the parenting challenges are typical toddler behavior.

While growing up Cindy's family was a foster family for 40 children over the course of 10 years. While Cindy wasn't in a parenting role for the children, the experience allowed her to become familiar with the types of behaviors that can be displayed by traumatized children. Cindy's mother passed away when she was 22 so she participates in the care of her two younger adopted brothers who have severe mental illnesses.

Support

Cindy's dad has experience as a foster and adoptive father. He cares for two adult sons that have mental illnesses. And he is an advocate for families who have children with mental illness. He is a big part of the support system including his knowledge of community care providers.

Motivation to Adopt

Monte and Cindy have a high level of patience and are working to become as educated as possible about foster children. They are committed to becoming further educated once matched with a child and they learn about the child's background. They will also take full advantage of the services available in their community to benefit the child.