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Finding Family, Finding Purpose: The Story of Ashley Kelley
Each November, A Second Chance, Inc. recognizes National Adoption Month—a time to raise awareness about the importance of permanency for children, and to honor adoptees, adoptive families, and the dedicated individuals who help create lasting family connections by sharing the powerful stories of lives transformed through adoption.
Ashley Kelley, Kinship Navigator Supervisor at A Second Chance, Inc., has built her career around helping children find family connections that can change their lives. Her passion for this work stems from her own adoption journey—a deeply personal experience that shaped her sense of identity, purpose, and compassion for others navigating similar paths. Ashley’s journey began when, at just nine years old, she discovered she was adopted. This realization did not come from her mother, but from children in her neighborhood. “I was out playing and found out that way,” she recalled.
My adoptive mother didn’t get a chance to tell me in the time that she wanted to. I really didn’t know what adoption was, so I asked her about it, and she confirmed that it was true,” she shared.
That revelation marked the beginning of her lifelong pursuit of understanding her origins. Over time, her desire to learn more about her biological family, including where they were, their history, and their health, ignited her interest in social services. “It definitely shaped me into adulthood,” she said.
It pushed me into wanting to get into social work and understand how the court system works, how kids can get connected with families, and how adoption really happens.
Ashley Kelley
Though she was raised by a loving family, she often wrestled with the unknowns of her medical history and bloodline. “Every time I’d go to the doctor, they’d ask about my family history, and I couldn’t answer,” she said. “I wanted to know who I looked like, who I was related to, and where I came from. Those things matter.”
That need for connection now drives her professionally. As a supervisor, Ashley emphasizes to her team that every effort should be made to locate kin for children in care. “Out of all the agencies I’ve worked with, A Second Chance, Inc. has really taught me the importance of kin,” she explained.
When you prioritize those family relationships, it makes a difference. I wasn’t afforded that opportunity, so I make sure my team takes every effort to make sure that job gets done.
Ashley Kelley
Her personal insights have also helped families understand the value of maintaining those ties. She recalled a case where her story influenced a relative’s decision to adopt a child within their family. “They were hesitant because of the parents’ history,” she said.
“I shared a bit of my experience and explained how important it is for that child to stay connected to people they know and love. Eventually, they adopted the child, and that connection remained intact. That meant a lot to me.”
When asked what she wants the public to understand about adoption, Ashley spoke with measured conviction. “Adoption can be necessary, and it worked out very well for me, but it shouldn’t always be the first goal,” she said.
We have to do better at keeping kin connections and reunifying families when possible. And when adoption is the route, we should make sure children maintain ties to who they are.
Ashley Kelley
Her advice to adoptees navigating adulthood is grounded in self-reflection and healing. “Do the introspective work,” she said. “Therapy helped me process the frustration of unanswered questions. And if it’s safe and possible, seek out your biological family. Get the answers you can handle. It brought me peace, and I’m grateful I did it.”
For social workers and caregivers, Ashley emphasizes preparation and awareness. She encourages gathering as much family information as possible to help adoptive families answer questions as children grow.
“My mom used to say, ‘I just can’t answer some of these questions,’” she shared. “If she’d had more information, that would’ve helped.” She also highlights the need for sensitivity and understanding hair care, skincare, traditions, and more.
For Ashley, National Adoption Month is deeply meaningful. “It matters,” she said. “It gives adoptees the chance to speak their truth. When you’re in the system, everyone speaks for you, including your caseworker, your attorney, and your caregiver. This is our time to tell our side of the story.”
Since finding her biological mother through Facebook in 2017, Ashley has built relationships with both of her birth parents and seven siblings. Though she doesn’t celebrate her adoption day formally, she honors the journey quietly through gratitude, connection, and reflection.
I thank my birth parents for choosing to still give me life and doing the best that they could do with the circumstances they were in at the time, and I commemorate my adoptive mom for everything she went through to adopt me.
Ashley Kelley
Ashley’s message during National Adoption Month is simple but powerful: advocate. “If you’re an adoptee, advocate for yourself. If you’re an adoptive parent, advocate for your child. And if you’re a social worker, advocate by paying attention, asking questions, and finding resources,” she said. “That’s how we make sure every adoptee knows their voice and their story matter.”
As we celebrate National Adoption Month, Ashley’s story reminds us that adoption is not just about placement… it’s about connection and love. Her journey is a testament to the power of family in all its forms and a call to ensure that every child feels seen, heard, and cherished.