I was in White Shield.  In 1987.  I had a roommate, her name was Jackie.  She had a son named Tyler.  There were many young mom’s there at the time I was there.

I would really like to get in touch with Colleen, she had a son named Steven (Stephen).  I would like to reconnect with her and others that were there at the same time I was.  There was another young mom there. Her name was Ruth. We both were from the same town.  Before we went into White Shield.  I believe there was a girl named Sheila, she had a girl. I think she named her Chantel.  This was a long time ago. And I am trying to remember who I can.

Susan's baby, Sam

I truly would love to get in touch with my old counselor from White Shield. His name was Keith B Baker.  Married to Jill M Carter Baker.  They had two boys and a one girl.  Natasha.  I think was her name.  It would bring me great pleasure in reuniting with some girls and staff from there.  I hope someone will see this. And recognize that they were there, when I was.

I have often thought of the babies in the daycare.  As us girls would go to school.  Take turns in the home with different chores.  Attending a group therapy class.  That the home had on sight.

Susan, Sam and grandson, Eli (1st boy in the family in 23 years!)

I was there with my son.  His name is Samuel. After leaving the home.  I ended up putting Sam up for adoption.  I have to say it was the most toughest decision one had to make.  It was better off for him.  I could not offer him nothing but my love.  My family members were never supportive.  They still are not till this day.  Anyway, 5 years ago, I was reunited with Sam.  And he actually just moved back home with me after us being apart for 20 years.  We kept in some letters and photos over the years.  But I had a hole in my heart the entire 15 years we where apart. Before I got to see him again.  I cannot tell you the VOID it has filled for me.

Please if anyone remembers me, or the people I have spoken of.  Please let me know.  If you know them still today.  I really want to be reunited with the girls that shared the home with me at the time.

Best Wishes,
Susan R.

"All my kids with me. I adopted two and had three." ~Susan

You may contact Susan by email at anybodyinthere71(at)msn(dot)com.

“Now how is that?  Checking in.  Like I have known you all your life.  Knowing maybe not; but you have been with me all your life.  You just didn’t know it.

… I am so thankful to know you are alright and that you have a good life.  When I found out you were going to be born, the most important thing to me was that you had a wonderful, happy childhood, with two parents who would love you as long as they lived.  I knew I would love you always but I didn’t know if I could give you that happy childhood so I did what I thought I could to ensure you what I had always wished I could have.

I remember just like it was yesterday, the day you were born and the 30 minutes they let me hold you before they took you away.  You were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.  Like a porcelain doll.  Your tiny hands and feet and your angelic face.  You have always been with me…”

Receiving that email changed my life, and I  am so grateful to my first mother for her inner strength and her kind heart, both of which I like to believe I inherited.  I share this very private message with you today because I know that it is one silently repeated every Mother’s Day by thousands of birth mothers throughout the world.  “You have always been with me…”

I wish you peace, hope and great love this holiday.

Warmly,

Renee ~ Founder, The White Shield Project

Share your story.

I gave birth to my first child in 1987.  I was 16.  I still cry when I think about White Shield.  Not because I gave my child up for adoption: we stayed together.  I think the tears flow because of the way my life changed on the day of my child’s birth.  White Shield was like a gateway for me into a better life.  I was shown another way.   Even though I struggled with Whites Shield’s strict rules, I began to see hope for my life and the life of my baby.  I had run away from my family, friends, and school and was living on the road when I found out I was pregnant. White Shield gave me that moment in time to “get a grip.”  I woke up on Feb. 2, 1987 to another life who has been beside me for 23 years.  No, it was not easy being a teen mother.  My dreams shuffled so fast that the old lifestyle had to go.  This time of year brings memories of one birthday that changed the world…as I understood it.  I respect White Shield for holding a space for us.

This is a picture of myself [left, standing] and my daughter Amanda (who I relinquished at birth in April 1979) with her adoptive parents [standing], and my mother.

My name is Diane, I am 51 years old and am a birth mother who lived at the Salvation Army White Shield Home in Portland, Oregon in 1972…  I have many memories from my 3 month stay at the home… When I stayed there is was still very secretive.  Birth mothers used fake names (so no one could look us up later), were not allowed to tell very many people where we were (only close family in my case) so my memories seem like a dirty little secret but I know they are real and I have a very big need to let them out… Just to let you know, my son and I found each other 10 years ago.  The reunion has been wonderful in so many ways and we are both thankful that we know each other and know “our story”.

Sincerely,

Diane