For the staff, leadership and foster and adoptive families at Adriel, providing quality care for children in the spirit of Christian love is a mission that they take to heart.
Adriel and the community came together Thursday, Oct. 9, to celebrate a new chapter in the non-profit organization’s more than 125-year history, during which it has grown to serve children in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.
The foster care and adoption agency unveiled its new Bellefontaine location at 1600 S. Main St., which underwent about a year’s worth of renovations completed by Link Construction. The local office joins Adriel’s other sites in Archbold, Toledo, Westerville and Van Wert.
A ribbon cutting with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and tours of the building invited area residents to see first-hand how Adriel is providing supportive services to children and families.
In May of 2024, Adriel announced the sale of its longstanding location in West Liberty, which had opened more than a century ago in 1900 when five Mennonite families decided to sell their personal homes and purchase the Glover property.
President and CEO Todd Hanes told the crowd Thursday that it was a big decision regarding the move from the historic 550 N. Detroit St., West Liberty, site to the new Bellefontaine office, but it was one that had the needs of the children at the forefront.
“It is so much of a privilege to be able to be in this new location in Logan County,” he said.
“Our work in this county started in 1900. So I have to say it was a huge decision for the board to sell that property.
“The (West Liberty) building was built in the mid-1800s. It needed tuckpointing and roofing, and fascia and soffit, and windows and heat.
“The board decided we’d rather put that money into the service of children. And that’s exactly what’s happened.
“We sold that property and purchased this property and renovated it for about a year.”
Hanes thanked Jeremy Hankins from Bell Hankins Realty Group LLC for all of his assistance in purchasing the new property and selling the previous location, which was purchased by the Madison-Champaign Educational Service Center.
Adriel’s president and CEO said Link Construction brought their vision to life for the new site, and the 1600 S. Main St. location has been remodeled from floor to ceiling inside, along with many improvements made to the exterior. The building’s multiple entrances make it particularly ideal for participants involved in the visitation program.
Hanes noted that there are currently about 17,000 youths in the foster care system in Ohio, and Adriel’s services cater to coming alongside those youngsters and offering enriching and supportive experiences.
“The kids in foster care, they can’t push the ‘pause’ button on their lives, while they wait for the reunification plan with their biological families,” he said. “They’re still growing up, attending school and we want to provide them with the best opportunities possible.”
For foster families, Adriel provides extensive training, along with counseling services and other support.
During the reunification process, visitation rooms at Adriel offer those opportunities for reconnection.
In addition, face-to-face therapy rooms and Telehealth services are available.
As an adoptive parent himself who first provided foster care to his son, Hanes has experienced the challenges of being a foster parent, but also the joys and the great rewards of stepping into this much-needed role.
Years ago, Hanes related that he heard about foster care through a special guest speaker at his church, and said he knew right then that he wanted to pursue foster parenting as a new part of his life.
The former Elida Schools superintendent who eventually retired from the education field said he’d never heard of Adriel at that time, but he contacted the organization regarding training to become a foster parent.
He soon became a foster parent to a fourth-grade boy named William. Two years later, he adopted William in 2011, and now his son is 28 years old.
After 10 years at the helm of Adriel, Hanes said he’s encouraged by the work that’s been done, but also knows there are many more children yet to serve.
He expressed his deep appreciation to his full-time staff of about 60 for their tireless and compassionate service.
“It’s a tough business and a hard world we live in, but they do a wonderful job.”
Hanes encouraged individuals and families who are curious about becoming a foster parent to visit https://www.adriel.org/ and fill out an inquiry form or to be in touch with any questions.
