Happy Fall! As you know, we always enjoy sharing good news with our friends and cherished client family so we want to take a moment to catch up with an ongoing story that has really captured the hearts of all of us! Recently we had a visit from Whitney and Nico, two of the most special people that have touched our hearts at EmpowerHome Team. In 2021, we heard from a team member that a former classmate of hers was looking for support for an adoption, we couldn’t imagine the journey ahead.
Little Nico was born on July 1st 2017 in Colombia, South America. Born with Downs Syndrome and several other serious complications, he had a bleak start. At 3 months old he was taken away from a neglectful mother, and his father & extended family did not seek to claim him, so he fell into the adoption system. This is where Whitney Jones, a kindergarten school teacher, found Nico; she fell in love at first sight. Though she felt strongly about adopting him, there were many hurdles to overcome.
Being orally hyper sensitive, Nico was G-tube dependent, he was not able to eat or drink normally. And being a single mom in her late 30’s, (nearing Colombia’s age cut off for adoption) Whitney and her family were questioning her decision. “To me, everything was against it, but we were praying about it. From the moment we laid eyes on him though, we were in love”, said Whitney’s dad, “This was supposed to happen, this is bigger than us.” With adoption so close to the heart of EmpowerHome Team, we were 100% committed to help bring Nico home! One of our team members, Lindsey Fisher, connected us with Whitney and the Love Gives organization. Together with the help of our entire team we raised over $27,000, almost fully funding the cost to bring Nico home to Whitney!
Nico has just started first grade and turns 6 this July, he now has a loving mother and the whole family adores him! He’s just learning to walk without braces and has become grandpa’s favorite, they experience all his firsts together! Nico still brings unique needs, his oral over-stimulation has caused him to cry with every toothbrushing, but has become more manageable recently!
Nico & Whitney remind me of a place very close to my heart. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta cares for kids in our community like Nico, and many others with very critical conditions who are fighting for their lives every single day. The incredible work they do is invaluable for kids like Nico and not every parent in our community has the opportunity to afford care, but there is a place for their children here regardless of their ability to pay. With every introduction you give, we donate a portion of our income to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and other worthy causes so they can continue the awesome work they do in our community.
Thank you,
Linde Moore
If you are thinking about moving, or if someone you know may be, please call or text 404-301-3303 and introduce us to them. Not only will they get the 5-star service that we are known for, but with every introduction you give, we donate a portion of our income to TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and other worthy causes so they can continue all the good work they do in our community.