ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕝 𝕚𝕤 ℝ𝕖𝕥𝕚𝕣ed

Cheryl has worked for us as a Pregnancy & Adoption Counselor for a total of 18 years. She started her career as an IUPUI intern at Coleman, as a student mentored by Katrina Carlisle. Then, Priscilla Kamrath hired Cheryl after she earned her Bachelor of Social Work; first part-time and then as a full-time employee for 4 1/2 years. Cheryl’s husband, Doug, a television engineer, then took positions that moved them out-of-state for 5 ½ years. They had excellent adventure in Hawaii, Arizona and California during that time. Then in 2008, Doug had an opportunity to accept a position where they could be based in Indiana, so they moved back here. At that time, St. Elizabeth / Coleman’s Director, Renee Hummel, was getting ready to hire another adoption counselor. So, she hired Cheryl!

Cheryl’s passion has always been working with women in crisis situations. She believes that her own life experiences of being a young, single mother and, in dealing with grief and loss, uniquely prepared her for this role. Cheryl has provided post-adoption and grief/loss counseling to our past clients. She also has provided counsel and assistance, related to openness in adoption, to former members of the triad. Cheryl has also provided counsel to women who decided to parent their infants.

Cheryl has facilitated monthly parent support groups at the agency.  The Parent Support Groups were designed to assist young, parenting women who are struggling with life’s challenges. Topics related to parenting are presented to group members, material assistance is provided, and mutual support among group members is nurtured.

Cheryl created and has facilitated a confidential, on-line birthmother support group. Cheryl also has been the coordinator for the planning of the annual Birth Mother Luncheon. Both the Support Group and the Birth Mother Luncheon are offered to women who placed a child for adoption through our agency.

Cheryl graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Social Work. She also earned and maintains her licensure (LSW) through the State of Indiana. Cheryl has served as Program Supervisor for El Nido Family Centers in Palmdale, California and as a Social Worker/Court Officer for the Guardian Ad Litem (CASA) Program in the State of Hawaii’s Judiciary. She and her husband, Doug, have three grown children, five grandchildren and a Sheltie named Kona.

In retirement, Cheryl plans to continue traveling with her husband, attending community events, reading lots of books, and leading/participating in small groups at her church.

Cheryl wants to say, “Thank you to all the women, children and families, whom I have served through the years. I am reminded of a line from one my favorite musicals; “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” May God bless each one of you.”