Cary

CA RY

from

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Hello!

T

hank you for taking the time to get to know more about me. I want you to know I admire and respect your interest in open adoption. I am very excited about being a father and am committed to you being a part of your baby’s life.

To learn more...

C ALL TOLL-F REE 1-866-634-9230

EMAIL carypapa@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know more about you and your hopes for the future as we begin this journey together.

-Cary Virtue

V IS IT iheartadoption.org/users/cary

MY AG ENC Y:

Independent Adoption Center

adoptionhelp.org/birthmother | 1–800–877–OPEN (6736)

ABOU T M E I

am a single, gay man living in Oakland, California. As long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a father. I am “Uncle Cary” to many children who are a regular part of my life. This includes my godchildren—I love going to school plays, celebrating birthdays, and sharing weekend breakfasts with them, their family, and other friends.

Recently I was a foster father to a newborn baby girl. This was one of the most meaningful and beautiful experiences of my life. I treasured the feedings and diaper changes, even in the middle of the night. I still remember her smiling for the first time and awe as she discovered new things— like that her hand actually could do things!

PUMPKIN CARVING WITH GODCHILDREN BEN, CLARA & KATHERINE

MY HO M E

O

akland, California, is a place I love for its vibrant and interesting mix of places, activities, and people.

My home is in a family neighborhood with a variety of shops, playgrounds, a weekly farmer’s market, and cafes all within walking distance. We can go feed the ducks at Lake Merritt! I look forward to going to the Exploratorium, Discovery Museum, Monterey Bay Aquarium, zoos, trains, sandy beaches, and mountains with my child.

My home has a back patio under a redwood tree—great for riding tricycles and outdoor play. I have a friendly cat, Amon Ra, named after the Egyptian sun god, who likes kids and looks forward to cuddling and playing with a new family member.

I have a great stable job working from home as a consultant for a large health care organization. The flexibility of my schedule gives me more time for care giving during the day or spontaneous visits to the park nearby.

RECENTLY I WAS A FOSTER FATHER TO A NEWBORN BABY GIRL. THIS WAS THE MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. 1) CARY AND FRIEND AUGUST HANGING OUT AT LOCAL COFFEE SHOP 2) READING BEDTIME STORY TO GODDAUGHTERS CLARA AND KATHERINE 3) MEET AMON RA, MY WONDERFUL CAT WHO LOVES KIDS!

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y interest in people and places often find me exploring far and near and I hope to share new

travel adventures with my child. I have been to Malawi, as a Peace Corps Volunteer; to the Galapagos Islands, on an eco-photo safari; and recently to the temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Closer to home there are many fun children’s museums and Disneyland and Legoland are a short day’s drive away.

I have a creative side—I directed a thirty-minute documentary film featured at the Oakland International Film Festival and assisted in production of two documentary films. I can’t wait to document my child’s first few years! I try to stay active and look forward to teaching my child to swim and ride a bicycle, which are two of my favorite activities. I also like to read, cook, and spend quality time with friends and family.

I look forward to sharing these with my child, and exploring what interests he or she develops.

VIDEOTAPING ON THE GALAPAGOS ISLAND OF SANTA CRUZ

M Y FA M I LY

FOSTER DAUGHTER’S FIRST SWIM LESSON WITH CARY AND UNCLE NEIL

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ou’ve heard the expression “It takes a village to raise a child”? I am blessed with a vast village of “aunts and uncles” who look forward to sharing in the care and development of my child. This includes my brother Neil and his partner, who welcome me for weekly dinners. Friends with kids live nearby—ready to be future playmates for sleepovers, holidays, crafts projects, and extra-curricular activities.

UNCLES JIM & NEIL WITH FOSTER BABY CORA

I am fortunate to have been raised in an environment that values family.

I grew up knowing all of my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We will have many great places that welcome us to visit. Mom (grandma) lives on an island in Florida, with a pool, and a long sandy beach. Dad (grandpa) and his wife live in New Mexico, near mountains, Native American Pueblos, and an annual Fiesta. There are many cousins to play with. Everyone is excited about the child that will become part of our village.

CARY WITH MOM AND BROTHER NEIL AT THE BEACH FOR CHRISTMAS

ABOUT CA RY (by his mom and friends)

BY CARY’S MOM, TRACEY

‘I am so excited that Cary will become a father! The many children in his life—godchildren, friend’s children, a baby girl foster child—are drawn to his warmth and his easy, soft spoken way.’

CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY WITH CARY’S GODCHILDREN’S FAMILY

BY ANNA, MOM OF GRANT, 3

‘On a recent vacation with Cary, I watched from a window as he took my (then) 2-yearold son, Grant, to the pool. In minutes Grant had the confidence, with Cary by his side, to put his head and face under water, try floating on his back, and kick his legs. Cary will be a wonderful dad someday to a very lucky child.’

BY MICHELLE & MICHAEL, PARENTS OF JUSTICE, 5, AND AUGUST, 3

CARY WITH FRIENDS ODALIS, GUENET, AND CARLOS...FUTURE BABYSITTERS

AT THE FARMER’S MARKET WITH FRIEND MICHELLE AND HER SONS AUGUST & JUSTICE

‘Last weekend we met Cary at the Discovery museum for children. On the way home Justice out of the blue said, ‘I love Uncle Cary’. Our whole family loves Cary and he is going to be a wonderful dad to a lucky child.’

BY COLLEEN & JOHN, PARENTS OF BEN, 13, CLARA, 11 AND KATHERINE, 9

CARY WITH FRIENDS MICHAEL, JUSTICE, AND AUGUST

‘Cary was at the births of our 3 children and has stayed very involved with them throughout their lives. He has taken care of them when we are out of town and has had them to fun sleepovers at his house.’

See you soon!

CALL TOL L -F R E E 1-866-634-9230

EMAI L carypapa@gmail.com

VISI T iheartadoption.org/users/cary

I N C L OS IN G I

am excited to hear from you and get to know more about you—your interests, family, and background are an important part of your child’s life story. I will honor that, and help him or her understand that this is a part of our family. I want you to know I will do my best to be a great father, to love and support my child. Call or email me anytime!

Thank you!

-Cary