Why Choose A Child’s Hope

We care about you, your baby and the families we are creating. A Child’s Hope was started by an adoption attorney in 2000 who also has adopted two children. She created an agency that focuses on matching North Carolina birth mothers with carefully selected North Carolina couples so that the baby stays in the home state.

Our agency believes that birth mothers are very special and are faced with difficult decisions. We also believe that you may need help getting to prenatal care appointments, at the hospital and afterwards. We have seven adoption counselors spread throughout the state of North Carolina so that we can meet with you in person and help give you the in person support you deserve.

Click to Meet Our Counselors:

Kelly Dunbar

Adoption Counselor/Homestudy Supervisor - Triangle

As an adoptive parent I truly have a passion for adoption. There is no greater joy than helping to create a family! I love this job and I love working with adoptive parents as well as the birth parents. When it all comes together it is an awesome experience! Kelly is a graduate of NC State University where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work. She also received her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Kelly has been working with children, families, in the home and in communities for 18 years. Kelly has been working with birth mothers and adoptive parents for the last 5 years.  Besides working, she has a great husband and three fabulous children, Landon, Parker and Ansley. Kelly and her husband adopted their daughter with the help of ACH and feels as though her personal experience helps her relate to other adoptive families.

Sloane Mosley

Greensboro

Sloane completed her undergraduate degree in Human Services Counseling at Old Dominion University and holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Sloane has been working with children, birth mothers and adopting families for more than 10 years. She loves advocating for children and helping women during pregnancy.

Lakisha Brown

Winston-Salem

Lakisha completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare at Winston-Salem State University. She received her Master of Social Work from Syracuse University. Lakisha has worked with children, individuals and families for more than 12 years. Her experience includes working with at-risk youth, homeless children and families, child mental health, as well as school social work and case management. She is also a long-time basketball fan, a former player and coach. She played at Winston-Salem State University and coached women’s basketball at Elon University and Syracuse University. Lakisha and her husband reside in Alamance County, with their young son.

Jessica Otolinsky

Asheville

Jess completed her undergraduate degree in Communication at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah College. Her professional experience includes case management, education, women’s behavioral health including a focus on pregnant mothers, and working with kinship and domestic adoptive families who have experienced trauma. Jess is a native of central Pennsylvania though loves living in Asheville with her significant other. When she is not working, she is likely caring for her puppy and dog, painting, practicing yoga, camping or planning her next road trip to see family and friends or have an adventure in some new place!

Sylvia Senbel

Charlotte

Sylvia is a graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work. She also received her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina. Sylvia has been working with children and families for more than 19 years. She enjoys gardening, reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and three boys. She also loves animals, especially her dog Jazzy.

Nicole Barnes

Jacksonville

Nicole completed her undergraduate studies at Chowan University in Psychology with a concentration in Alcohol & Drug Studies and a minor in Criminal Justice. Nicole has provided services to adolescents, teens, college students, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Parole and Probation, the NC Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Transportation, and the Department of Defense. She is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor and has been working in the mental health field for 15 years.

Suzanne Mangum

Triangle

Suzanne was the primary pregnancy care manager stationed at Duke high-risk perinatal clinic for 20 years. She has a BS in Social Work at UNC Pembroke and is a licensed School Social Worker. She recently worked as a case manager in a substance abuse disorder residential program for women with young children. Suzanne is a “Durhamite” but has resided in Wake County since graduating. Her biggest accomplishment has been happily raising her 14 yo daughter and 3 poodle mixed pups. 

You will not just be a name and a woman placing a baby. When you work with us we will be there to:

• Take you to your doctor appointments
• Help you decide if you wish to parent or place for adoption
• Help inform the birth father of the pregnancy, adoption plan and obtain his DNA and his relinquishments
• Help you choose and meet adoptive parents
• Set up a budget so you can receive financial help if needed with living and medical expenses related to the pregnancy
• Help you prepare emotionally for placing the baby at the hospital
• Be with you during delivery if needed
• Help you communicate your adoption plan with the hospital and to help you get home afterwards if needed
• Set up a plan for future contact with the adoptive parents
• Help you create a plan that will allow you to see your baby via pictures and/or visits if you would like

We have placed over 315 babies since the Agency was started in 2000. We invite you to like our Facebook page to learn more about us and to look at the videos on our YouTube channel.

All of our adoptive parents are on our website and each has a YouTube video, Facebook page, as well as a Pinterest page and an individual website.