Cut-A-Thon At New Lenox Salon To Benefit Young Couple's Journey To Adopt Internationally

NEW LENOX, IL — A young couple seeking to adopt a child internationally is up against a lengthy and costly process, but their hometown communities are rallying behind them in support.

Margaret, 31, and Brent Smith, 34, have known since before they were married just a year ago that they would grow their family through adoption. As they undergo steps to make that a reality, they face an expensive and uphill battle, with an online fundraiser established to share their story.

"We had many conversations when we were dating, engaged, and throughout this first year of marriage about adoption and what that would look like for our family," they wrote. "Through those heartfelt conversations and much prayer, we came to see that we were meant to and ready to adopt."

The couple lives in Downers Grove, with Margaret's roots in New Lenox and Brent's in Carol Stream. On Sunday, April 19, Margaret's hometown business, Charles Morris Salon, is set to host a cut-a-thon as a fundraising effort

"I always saw adoption as a beautiful thing," Margaret Smith said. "I knew a lot of kids growing up who were adopted."

With Margaret facing infertility, having biological children is "next to impossible," she said.

"It’s pretty unlikely that we’ll ever have biological children. This will definitely not be our first adoption, open to foster care in the future."

Smith said she and her husband are leaning into their Catholic faith to ground them along the way.

"We’ve really felt called to international adoption," she said. "A big 'give it up to the Lord' thing. There’s little control you have in pretty much the whole situation, it’s a lot of trust."

After applying through their selected agency, they learned that, based on several factors, they would qualify for adoption from two countries: Bulgaria and South Africa. They chose Bulgaria.

Any child they adopt will not be an infant but instead range in age from 2 to 5 years old. Before they can travel to bring a child home, they will undergo a home study and multiple rounds of paperwork. Once approved through the U.S. government, they will then need to be registered under Bulgaria's guidelines.

"And then we wait for a match," Smith said. "It could be anywhere from a week to two years."

Both are employed full time—Margaret as a speech therapist and Brent as an adult faith formation coach—but still, the financial aspect is daunting.

Costs associated with the process include:

• Initial adoption fees: $5,400
• Home study assessment fees (including travel for home visits): $2,900
• Post home study approval fees: $12,700
• Post acceptance of presented child for adoption fees: $16,500
• Miscellaneous (including educational classes, psych exam, medical review, dossier preparation, & travel expenses) fees: $10,900

It's all overwhelming, Smith said.

"I think number 1 for us is just rooting ourselves in our faith," Smith said of how they're handling it. "Prayer, our faith, our family and friends for sure."

In the meantime, they're enjoying their time as relative newlyweds.

"Just savoring the beautiful moments we have now, being grateful for the opportunities we’re living right now, as a married couple," she said. "There’s many days we get very frustrated, there’s nothing we can do. Gotta just give it up to God."

Smith, who attended St. Jude and is a longtime parishioner, said she, her mother and grandmother have frequented Charles Morris Salon for more than 20 years.

"I had my wedding hair and makeup done there," she added. "We're very connected to them."

The salon, located at 1832 E Lincoln Hwy, on April 19 will welcome walk-ins for haircuts and other services, with a minimum donation of $20 for adults, $15 for children. Cash or check only will be accepted. No appointments accepted; walk-ins only. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Raffle tickets will also be sold, with a variety of baskets offered.

Smith said they've been touched by the support.

"There’s so many people out there that want to help," she said, "who know that it’s next to impossible for something that costs so much—for a family to adopt.

"Really good people out there who want to help and really care."

The community support has only made them more certain they're on the right path, she said.

"Every week we’re getting reassuring signs that just absolutely blow our minds," she said. "I’m left in tears every other week, due to signs that we can only attribute to God."