Adult adoption can give someone a sense of belonging no matter the age.Karleigh Ndiaye, 18, agrees. She says after what seemed like an eternity, she’s finally found her forever family. “Knowing that it’s officially on paper, nothing that can take it away, it just gives me that warm feeling inside, like yes those are my parents, officially,” Ndiaye said.The Jones-Baldwin family from North Carolina shared their story of adoption with sister station WXII. Click here for their previous coverage. Mother of four, Keia Jones-Baldwin makes it her mission to break down color barriers through adoption and while the family had legal temporary custody of Ndiaye since she was 11, she is finally their adopted daughter. July 25 will forever be engraved in their hearts. Ndiaye remembers what life was like as a child. “I was never stable,” Ndiaye said. “It was always not knowing where my next meal would come from, not knowing if I was going to be alone that night or have a bed to sleep on. It was never stable, so knowing I was coming home getting three meals a day, getting loved, having family functions, a big family — I wasn’t used to that.”The past seven years felt like an emotional roller coaster for Ndiaye as she overcame several obstacles. She doesn’t have to worry anymore — she looks up to her mom who shines a positive light on fostering, adoption and kinship care.”I really think it’s important for people to understand that, yes it’s important to adopt younger children, but there are also a lot of children out there at an older age who also need forever homes,” Ndiaye said. “I want them to know I’m 18 and I just got adult adopted, it’s never over. Don’t lose hope. There is always someone out there for you.” Ndiaye will be a freshman at North Carolina Central University and plans to study biology.
Adult adoption can give someone a sense of belonging no matter the age.
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Karleigh Ndiaye, 18, agrees. She says after what seemed like an eternity, she’s finally found her forever family.
“Knowing that it’s officially on paper, nothing that can take it away, it just gives me that warm feeling inside, like yes those are my parents, officially,” Ndiaye said.
The Jones-Baldwin family from North Carolina shared their story of adoption with sister station WXII. Click here for their previous coverage.
Mother of four, Keia Jones-Baldwin makes it her mission to break down color barriers through adoption and while the family had legal temporary custody of Ndiaye since she was 11, she is finally their adopted daughter.
July 25 will forever be engraved in their hearts. Ndiaye remembers what life was like as a child.
“I was never stable,” Ndiaye said. “It was always not knowing where my next meal would come from, not knowing if I was going to be alone that night or have a bed to sleep on. It was never stable, so knowing I was coming home getting three meals a day, getting loved, having family functions, a big family — I wasn’t used to that.”
The past seven years felt like an emotional roller coaster for Ndiaye as she overcame several obstacles. She doesn’t have to worry anymore — she looks up to her mom who shines a positive light on fostering, adoption and kinship care.
“I really think it’s important for people to understand that, yes it’s important to adopt younger children, but there are also a lot of children out there at an older age who also need forever homes,” Ndiaye said. “I want them to know I’m 18 and I just got adult adopted, it’s never over. Don’t lose hope. There is always someone out there for you.”
Ndiaye will be a freshman at North Carolina Central University and plans to study biology.
