Bethany Christian Services in Modesto is not only an adoption agency, but it's also a maternity home for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. The maternity home was designed to provide support to women who choose to parent, as well as those who choose to place for adoption. Let me just say that the purpose it was intended for is great, and with the right staff this would be an ideal place for women who need that support. In my experience, Bethany's House lacks the proper staff. Not only are they short-staffed, with only a House Manager and a very part-time assistant, they also lack the training needed to operate in such a sensitive field. The House Manager was very hands-off, not the least bit goal/task oriented, and frankly, lazy. Her husband also lives at the home, which caused her to often neglect her duties and the resident's needs. The assistant was only allowed to work 3 hours per day, 4 days per week, but we were often told by the House Manager not to bother her. Of course, according to the handbook, Bethany's House is a smoke-free environment, yet the assistant would smoke on the property, around us during outings, (both vapor and cigarettes) and even in her room. As a pregnant woman I was experiencing many different emotions, and all I wanted was for someone to listen and to care. On several occasions, I was told by the House Manager that my situation was even more of a reason to put my baby up for adoption, after I'd already made it very clear that I would be parenting my child. I felt like she was trying to manipulate me by using my circumstances against me. It's not a feeling you'd like if it were you. Sure, I was homeless, going to be a single parent, and very afraid, but I knew God had a plan for me and that my baby would be a part of that plan. Once the House Manager realized that my mind was set on parenting, she started to treat me very different, checked-in less, and even neglected to do a service plan with me at all. I struggled so hard to make it through to the end. Mothers who choose to parent are required to transition out 30 days prior to their due date. I didn't receive any support with my transition. I think it's a beautiful thing to be able to adopt. I also think it's a beautiful thing to parent if God gives you the will to do so. We are people too. We deserve a little more respect, whether parenting or placing, than to be treated like assets if we choose to place, or liabilities if we choose to parent. I feel like there needs to be more organizations encouraging women to parent and not being so quick to "buy off" a child. We come to you people broken and you just break us even more, in hopes that we'd eventually give in to what will benefit you, not the baby. I would not ever recommend this organization to anyone as long as this staff is this way. From the boss (Sandy) down to the assistant, they need a whole new staff. read more

I am a birth mother who actually worked closely with Bethany Christian Services in Modesto throughout my pregnancy. My mother was referred to them through Focus on the Family.. I was only 20 (7 years ago) when I got pregnant and had no idea what I was going to do. I lived in San Jose at the time, and BCS sent down one of their counselors all the way from Modesto to come talk to me about my options. They gave me clear counsel in regards to pregnancy, what it might look like and what resources I would have if I kept the child on my own, what closed vs. open adoption was like and how they were different, and where Bethany stood - they were clear supporters and advocates for open adoption. By my second trimester, I still hadn't decided if I wanted to keep the baby or put her up for adoption.. still, Bethany always called, emailed, and wrote me to check up on me and see how I was doing. I actually ended up moving into the Bethany House at the end of my second trimester all the way until I gave birth. The Bethany House is a house next to the Modesto BCS office that gives free room and board, food, transportation, and much more.. to pregnant mothers who don't have any resources or help around them. At the time I moved into the house, I still wasn't even sure that I was going to go through adoption but the team there accepted me with loving open arms and supported me continually. While I was at Bethany House, I had a chance to look through some potential adoptive parents and the choice to meet them in person if I wanted to. I looked through many binders full of family introductions with photos of the couple, their children (if any), their house, and little explanations of themselves and why they hope to adopt. I loved this part - getting to peek into the lives of those I might be thinking about giving my daughter to. I eventually chose 1 couple who came up to Modesto to meet me at the BCS offices. I eventually chose to go with adoption and I have NEVER regretted this decision, as well as my decision to work with Bethany Christian Services. Throughout the process, they explained EVERYTHING clearly to me and were always patient when I needed more time or didn't know how I wanted to proceed. Here are some highlights: 1) Contract of open adoption - I was told that the contract for open adoption was completely up to me.. how much contact I wanted with the baby as well as the adoptive parents/family. My contract included 1-2 visit per year, some quantity pictures every year, and a few other things. To be honest, I don't even look back on this contract anymore because throughout the years, I've become friends with the family and I visit 2-3 times a year, I email with the adoptive parents frequently, and we are even facebook friends. I believe Bethany's hope is that the contract allows for people to really build friendships and relationships with each other, not to be set as some sort of rigid guideline of how to interact with each other. This is exactly what happened for me. 2) Bethany counselors - My Bethany counselor was Christine Fryling (I believe she got married and changed her last name though).. and Christine was EXTREMELY nice and patient with me throughout the whole process. She was the one who drove down to San Jose that very first time to talk to me about my pregnancy, and she was also the one who emailed me after my pregnancy, sent me cards, and asked how I was doing. So she basically followed me through my whole journey... She never came off biased, and I always felt I was supported no matter what decision I was ultimately going to make. Christine reached out to me a LOT to make sure that I was OK physically and emotionally. During and immediately after the pregnancy, I didn't really want to talk to anyone and I didn't respond much, but it meant a lot that someone really cared and was available if I wanted to talk to someone. 3) Bethany House in Modesto - This house was a saving grace for me. I didn't want to live at home in SJ where all my friends were seeing me and rumors were spreading around, so I moved there. They have a house mom there who REALLY treats you like you are her daughter... I believe she is still there (Lisa). Actually when I ended up giving birth, Lisa was the only one there with me and held my hand throughout the whole thing. As far as I know, there is nothing else in this area like Bethany House... I am forever grateful that I had somewhere to go during my time of pregnancy, where I wouldn't be judged, but was completely accepted and taken care of in every way. I only have good things to say about my personal experience with Bethany Christian Services. When I was referred to them, I had absolutely no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised with all the care and support that I received. If you have any other specific questions about Bethany, feel free to message me.. I'd be happy to share more about my experience with you. read more

I am a birth mother who found Bethany about 4 years ago. When i first came to Bethany i was scared for my life and my baby's life. I was in a horrible relationship, to say the least, and was looking into placing my child for adoption. I had pretty much had my mind set that this was what i wanted to do before i got there. The staff was ALWAYS very helpful, nice, and caring. The thing i loved was that they never made me feel like they were trying to sway me into any direction. They simply helped me in a time where i need it the most. When i was 9 months along i moved into the Bethany House. I remember being scared out of my mind going there. Once i was there it was a place that truly changed my life in a profound way. No matter who you were walking threw those doors...you were greeted with open arms and open hearts. I have never in my life knew how anyone could just freely love you and support you in a time where you are at the lowest. I lived there for about a year after i had placed my son for adoption. During the adoption process my family and i didnt talk anymore and i had no more friends. These people that i didnt even know very well where the ones there for me when no one else was. The whole adoption process was one huge roller coaster after another but i knew that no matter what happened i had the support of their staff behind me 100%. I felt like i could be the real me and no one judged that. There were times they had to pick me up from off the ground and just love on me and hold me. I know for a fact that i wouldnt be the person i am today if it wasnt for Bethany and their staff and House. I cant say a bad thing about them after all they have done for me and my family. I would HIGHLY recommend this agency to anyone looking into adoption or even looking to place for adoption. Their staff has been beyond awesome to me. I am forever grateful to them and all they do! read more

My husband and I adopted our son through Bethany Christian Services Infant Adoption program. We have had an amazing journey and are so thankful we chose to go through Bethany. Walking into the office was like coming home. It was so inviting and comfortable. We loved our orientation and seminar. It was great to get so much information before actually diving into the process. Our social worker was amazing! She was so supportive every step of the way. Adoption is such a process, and it seems like there are several processes to each process (haha!). Our social worker was always available to answer questions, listen, give advise, and pray with and for us. We liked the fact that there was a set fee we knew about up front with a very clear pay schedule. Bethany works as the "middle man" to help the birth families with thier needs and takes care of legal issues. (For instance, our son's birth father was unable to be found, so they hired the private investigator, posted ads in the newspaper, etc. We were not responsible for this and it did not add to the cost of our adoption.) When we were chosen by a birthmother we were over the moon! The birthmother social workers were from the Fresno office and they were very nice. Our son's birthmother has told us that she had a great experience on her side as well. Working with the birthmother counselors at the hospital was a big help. They walked us through all of the paperwork, etc. before we took our son home. We have a wonderful, on-going, open adoption relationship with our son's birthmother. Now we stop by the office every now and then just to see everyone. They are all great! I strongly encourage you to check Bethany out if you are interested in adoption. They can help with Infant adoption as well as international adoption. read more

Our family used Bethany to adopt our son. We had an incredible experience. The staff at Bethany was patient and caring and were willing to walk with us through each step of the adoption process. We would highly recommend them to anyone else interested in adopting a child. read more

So I came to Bethany house for about a month but my stay there was amazing The staff were very loving & supportive at the time I was going thru a lot in life so it's exactly what I needed & while there was able to find a program to transition to for me to have support while I'm pregnant & after I give birth to be the best mother I can be I recommend this program to anyone pregnant that needs support read more