About the Foundation
Every child deserves a home.
The Plus One Adoption Foundation, Inc. is Chicagoland’s newest adoption foundation, committed to shifting the mindset of adoption from a last option to a choice.
This charitable foundation has a database of credible adoption related resources inclusive for all individuals or families. We can discuss at no charge what might be the next step in your adoption journey and refer consultants, agencies, attorneys and/or post-placement therapists that fit your current vision. The Plus One Adoption Foundation focuses on offering informational resources related to all aspects of adoption, including post placement needs.
The Plus One Adoption Foundation promotes research, education and public awareness surrounding the adoption of children.
Working to fill the knowledge gap, the Plus One Adoption Foundation is contributing to the world by highlighting adoption as a viable option to add "plus one" to your family.
We know the adoption process can be a big, scary, emotional journey. We are your resource center, which is why we strive to provide the best information to help those purposefully reshaping their families.
Each child deserves a home, and we strive to be inclusive of all families who can create a safe and loving environment for a child through adoption. We respect the uniqueness of each individual and welcome diversity in adoptive families and ensure that the resources we recommend abide by the same inclusivity.
The Plus One Adoption Foundation is here to be your resource, when adoption is your family plan.
“I think what Plus One is doing is very smart because a lot of people don’t know a lot about adoption or forget that it’s an option for people”
About the Founder
Founder of the Plus One Adoption Foundation, Inc., Michele Katz builds connections with charitable services in the space of adoption and fundraising, to help families come together and stay together. The organization’s goal to provide the resources in order to help place 2.5M children into loving families stems from the 2.5 million children lost in the Holocaust and the Jewish credence of mending a broken world—when you save a child, you save the world.
Just as sure as she was that she would one day have children, she knew early on that she would adopt. Michele adopted not one, but two children from Colombia into her family, thus making her a mother of four. Going through the adoption process without a guide can seem long, lonely, difficult and frustrating. But having access to a community of adoptive families and adoption experts helped navigate some of the harder points in this journey; Michele was able to expand her family, and she’s now found a calling to help others do the same.
Michele knows, firsthand, the obstacles of adoption. But more importantly, she knows the joy that’s on the other side. She’s able to share guidance and resources to help others in their own family expansions. While many get tripped up on some of the legalese and the overall uncertainty, Michele provides a solid understanding and process to help ease concerns and steer prospective families on their path. She is creating a network for families to grow and places for kids to thrive—shifting the mindset around adoption by educating parents, and teaching kids how to attach to loving families.
A capeless hero, Michele is normalizing adoption by clearing misconceptions and answering the unknowns. She reminds prospective parents that you never know what you’re getting with children—there will always be surprises, whether adopted or biological—and that it takes a village to raise a family. By working with family-first game-changers and continuously fundraising, Michele is building a rolodex of resources in the adoption world, sharing them and offering her education to families and children prior, during and after papers are signed—giving special consideration towards post-placement care.
Through the Plus One℠ foundation, Michele is bringing together experts and guides to help her cultivate a community—building a support system that drives change in the world of adoption.
Pushing adoption into the mainstream, Michele is here to let you know that nothing should get in the way of starting or expanding your family.
“One of the biggest decisions in the adoption process is where to start. Plus One Adoption couldn’t have been more helpful in helping us sort out our first steps. Not only did Plus One℠ listen and support, but they provided several resources on whom to call, and about different programs to explore. On top of that, they have followed up twice since our initial call to make sure that we feel supported and confident. In the adoption process, it’s hard to know who can be trusted — we can assure you, Plus One Adoption can, and should, be trusted! Thank you for everything!”
Meet the Board
Michele Katz
Michele Katz is not only the Founder of Plus One Adoption Foundation, Inc. but also the Founder of the intellectual property law firm Advitam IP, LLC. Passionate about giving back, she (in collaboration with her firm and her family) started a scholarship fund in the name of her beloved father, an icon in the IP field, and annually funds a master’s scholarship in the innovative sciences at The Hebrew University (Israel). As a servant leader, Michele served as the President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Chicago Chapter propelling women business owners into social, economic and political spheres of influence.
She enjoys spending time with family, including her four children, traveling internationally (pre-COVID restrictions), refining her foreign language skills, getting her heart rate up with outdoor activities and relaxing with wine and whiskey tastings.
She’s also great at preparing an excellent cheese board—one of the many delicious ways she brings joy to those around her.
Dr. Jason Rosenblum
Dr. Jason Rosenblum, DPM is an IU alum that has been a Board Certified Podiatry Specialist in Munster, IN for 18+ years.
He is affiliated with medical facilities Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Munster where he conducts foot and ankle surgery, diabetic limb salvage and sports medicine.
Jason chose the career path of podiatry, having attended Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, so that he can maintain work/life balance and focus on spending time with his blended family of four children (two boys and two daughters adopted from Colombia), as well as his wicked Karaoke skills.
Megan Unger
Megan Unger is a teacher with over 20 years of experience in a public Spanish immersion school in Minneapolis.
She has three children, two of whom were adopted internationally.
With three kids to keep track of, Megan is all about keeping the peace. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, South America, Megan also has a Master’s degree in Second Languages and Cultures education.
Matt May
Matt May is the CEO/Founder of 4Points Expeditions—an educational service provider for adventure travel and international expeditions for schools and summer camps.
Matt received his BA from the University of Michigan, and a Graduate Degree in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Matt has served as a Professional Firefighter and Paramedic for over 20 years.
He lives in Ventura, California and spends his free time mountain biking, backpacking, rock climbing… basically living the Southern California dream!
Anne Sharkey
Anne Sharkey was born and raised in Wisconsin along with her four sisters. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Kinesiology and continued on to study Pediatric Medicine at Scholl College of Podiatry.
Anne completed a surgical residency in Chicago, IL and after that she decided to live and work in Northwest Indiana for five years before moving with her husband, Tom, and daughter, Meredith, to Austin, Texas.
Currently practicing podiatry at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute, in her free time, Anne loves to travel with her family, spend weekends at the lake, practice photography and read.
Jaime Blakesley
Jaime Blakesley is an experienced environmental scientist who has worked in both the public and private sectors. She boasts a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and Environmental Science from Indiana University, as well as a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.
Not only did Jaime obtain her undergraduate degree from IU, but it was while residing in Bloomington that she met fellow Board members Michele Katz, Jason Rosenblum, Andrea Russell, and Matt May—maintaining these dear friendships to this day.
Jaime also volunteers at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens and sits on the Board for the University of Kent in America. She enjoys traveling, especially with her husband and kindred wanderer, Gareth. Known as the Fun Auntie, Jaime has several nephews, nieces, and godchildren, any one of whom she may be in cahoots with at any given moment.
Andrea Russell
Andrea Russell has spent many years as a technology consultant, implementing software and creating apps for a variety of public companies, as well as in higher education.
In 1998, Andrea received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Indiana University where she had the pleasure of creating lifelong bonds with several Plus One℠ board members.
Andrea is the mother of two amazing children; She is proud to support her childrens’ interests in horseback riding and technology game development.
Traveling and exposing her family to different cultures and environments is a huge priority in life.
Andrea is gearing up for her next phase of life and is focused on helping several charities that make an impact on family relationships.