FAQs | Adoption Initiative

There are several videos and interviews with Fr Dennis Mullen, where he answers most of the questions in our FAQs. We have added them to the FAQs themselves where appropriate

If you have any additional questions that you would like to have answered, please don’t hesitate to use our contact form and ask!

What is the Adoption Initiative, and who is Father Mullen?

I’m Father Dennis Mullen and we have been working on an adoption initiative to assist families who want to adopt children with the expenses of the adoption. We are interested in having people be as free as possible from that concern as part of the adoption process. Our main goal is to help people with the financial responsibilities that go along with adoption. (0:00-1:15)

Can we apply if this is not our first adoption?

Yes. You may also apply for expenses that were involved in the adoption and ongoing such as visitation expenses for an open adoption.(7:02-7:27)

Why is adoption so close to your heart?

I gave up my right to have children when I became a priest. At the same time I see children discarded, too many in unstable homes that are dangerous or abusive for them. There are also a lot of children in foster care. Children need a stable, good home. They need a good father and mother. I see that in my parishes that I have had and in our society in general. We need to do better for our children. (1:15-2:37)

If I donate to your initiative once, am I asked to donate yearly?

No.

How can I donate?

Do not send cash. A donation check can be sent to FDMAIF (Father Dennis Mullen Adoption Initiative Fund) in care of Father Dennis Mullen, 111 W. Marshall Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868. There is a way in which donations can be made from our website using a credit card; these donations go directly into the fund. (1:50 -2:37)

If your initiative provides money to a certain couple, can they apply again, if they decide to adopt again?

Yes.

Why should I donate?

You should donate because it is a valuable thing. We are trustworthy people and can account for all money coming in and where it is being held and invested.

You should donate because you like children. Maybe you can’t adopt, be a foster parent, or don’t have the home situation to make that possible; however, you could support someone who wants to adopt and is capable of adopting. We depend on your commitment to the issue of adoption and your initiative to give to the fund. We will provide you with an annual update on the status of the fund, current committee members, and work being done. (2:37-5:00)

What adoption agencies do you work with, local or statewide?

We have no formal contractual relationship, but we are getting the word out about the work we do to our local Pregnancy Help Center as well as Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services in Eau Claire. (5:29-7:02)

What expertise can your initiative provide?

The FR. Dennis Mullen Adoption Initiative can provide information about the process of adoption, considerations prior to your decision, and guidance through the process of adoption.

We can’t have children. We need guidance. Can you help?

Yes. Please contact us, and we would be glad to help.

Phone: 715.566.1781
email: mullen1223@yahoo.com

I’m a single person, can I get help to adopt?

Single persons are most welcome to adopt. (2:46-3:12)

If I apply for help, what kind of help do you provide?

Before we will consider an application, the applicants should be approved for adoption through their local county government and their screening process. After that, there are expenses that can go along with preparing a home to meet the standards that are expected in an adopting situation. There might be expenses associated with traveling to another country in the case of international adoption. If it is a domestic adoption, there may be travel within the United States to meet with the child and local governments. If there is an open adoption, there might be conditions associated with traveling to meet with the biological father or mother. The above examples are the type of expenses that the fund may be able to assist with. (1:15-2:37)

If I were to donate to the Father Dennis Adoption Initiative, where does the money go?

The fund is held as a permanent fund. It is intended to be an enduring fund, growing as the years go on, but also dispersing 10 percent of its holdings every year for grants to people who need help with the expenses. And that being the case, the Knights of Columbus Council, here in Rice Lake, Wisconsin have taken this mission on as an extension of their pro life stance and are entrusted with the care and accounting of the funds. They have ultimate approval of the expenditures. The funds are segregated from their other activities and can only be used for the purposes of this fund, which is helping people with the expenses of adoption. (0:00-1:50)

We need guidance. How can you help?

The committee consists of people who have adopted. We have one person on the committee who has adopted eight children and will adopt again next spring. The mother of that family is on our committee and can give a lot of insight on working your way through the application process. She also works with training foster care parents here in Barron County and is well qualified. We also have another mother who has adopted two children, one adoption being international and the other domestic. They bring experience and insight to our committee and an understanding of the process. We are happy to have them with our group. (3:12-5:29)