Lund is delighted to announce that Karisa Thompson, Lund’s Adoption Finalization Coordinator, has been named an Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Karisa’s nomination was supported by Vermont Congressman Peter Welch and she will be honored at a prestigious event in Washington DC on September 26th. It is truly an honor for Karisa to be recognized for her outstanding work in the field of adoption and permanency.
Karisa has been an outstanding employee and advocate for establishing permanency for children in Vermont for over 14 years. During this time, Karisa has completed over 1,150 adoptions. In her work, Karisa goes above and beyond to make sure that every child and their family have all the support and services they need in order to have a healthy and happy future together.
“It is an incredible experience to support children and families through the joys and challenges of their adoption journey,” says Karisa. “Ensuring that every child has a forever family is of the utmost importance and I feel lucky to be able to see the direct impact of my work on Vermont’s children. I am honored to receive this prestigious award.”
Karisa helped to establish the Vermont Adoption Day Celebration during National Adoption Month (November) which has now been held four times. She holds the Vermont record for number of adoptions taking place in one month – 64 in November 2017. Karisa is well underway planning for National Adoption Month 2018 with the hope of completing 75 adoptions. These are significant numbers in Vermont where the population is so small.
Karisa is always willing to help others and is a shining example of team work. She is an open communicator and works very well with a wide variety people and personalities. Karisa’s clear communication helps families navigate a process that can seem overwhelming at times. She is there to help and encourage at every step along the adoption journey. Families report that Karisa has a deep knowledge of the adoption field and that they feel respected and supported by her throughout the adoption process.
Karisa is a committed and dedicated individual who is very well-respected by her supervisor, peers, clients and community partners. She always believes in the hope and positivity of a situation and there is never a task too big for her. The wellbeing of children is at the very heart of Karisa’s work and guides every decision she makes.
We are very proud of Karisa who is an extremely deserving recipient of the 2018 Angel in Adoption Award for Vermont. Congratulations from everyone at Lund and families across the state!
