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About Abrazo

Pregnant? Placing? Call anytime, day or night: 800-454-5683

Our Mission

The primary purpose and goal of Abrazo Adoption Associates is to offer birthparents and adoptive parents from all walks of life the opportunity to provide children with safe and loving homes through compassionate and open adoption planning, in which the highest quality of counseling, pre-placement preparation, and post-placement follow-up is provided at reasonable costs.
Abrazo Adoption Associates is a private, nonprofit adoption agency serving the needs of birthparents, children and adopting parents nationwide. Licensed by the State of Texas, Abrazo specializes in open adoptions. This means the agency, birthparents and adopting parents work together to make loving plans for childrens’ futures. Call us anytime, at 210-342-5683 or 800-454-5683.

Let’s be honest: for far too long, adoption agencies have been known for taking over peoples’ lives, judging them by outdated standards and depriving folks of control over their own destinies. At Abrazo, we’re working to change that. We educate, encourage and support our clients as they make their own best decisions. Abrazo offers help you can trust, because you deserve the best.

“Abrazo” is a Spanish word which means “hug or embrace” and this is, truly, what we’re about.

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Meet Abrazo’s Staff

The AbrazoChicks, as our clients have fondly nicknamed us, are open adoption professionals with a wealth of experience in this field (personal and professional.) For our staff, adoption is not merely a job, but a calling. We do it all, from counseling to casework to stork runs and diaper changes. And we love what we do, because we truly care about all the parents and children we serve.

ELIZABETH JURENOVICH, M.S., LCPAA, LPC, LMFT

Executive Director

Elizabeth grew up as a preacher’s kid. She majored in piano at Interlochen Arts Academy before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Sociology, followed by a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She played piano professionally on the Riverwalk, worked in public relations, and directed church children’s choirs before becoming a licensed therapist and a licensed child placing agency administrator. Elizabeth’s greatest accomplishments have included college cheerleading, founding Abrazo, and raising two fine sons as a single mom. Church keeps her sane, and chocolate, jazz and retail therapy keep her happy. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys reading, politics, Broad way shows, and traveling anywhere there’s sunshine and ocean.

XIMENA-MEDINA-HUERTA-MA

XIMENA MEDINA-HUERTA, M.A., LPC

Adoption Specialist

Ximena was born and raised in northern Mexico, but holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Spa Management from the University of Arizona; she worked in the hospitality industry in Scottsdale, AZ and at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. She relocated with her husband to San Antonio, and earned her Master’s degree in Counseling & Guidance. A treasured member of the Abrazo team since 2016, Ximena is our Adoption Specialist, providing the best of client support, homestudies and post-adoption supervision (while also maintaining a private counseling practice and moonlighting as a school counselor.) This proud dog mom of two enjoys traveling, reading and crafting. Her claim to fame (besides having been Artie the Artichoke, her college mascot– yes, there is such a thing) is conversing fluently with just about anybody in English and/or Spanish, and running marathons if the medal looks good.

 JAN FAULK-EGGLESTON, DDS

JAN FAULK-EGGLESTON, DDS

Agency Services Coordinator (v)

Jan is truly God’s gift to Abrazo, and she is the gift that keeps on giving. A retired Colonel who was an oral surgeon, she originally served as Abrazo’s counseling intern in 2019-2020. She then graduated with her Master’s degree, and graciously offered to stay on at the agency, providing community counseling services and office support. Jan and her beloved husband, a retired Chaplain Lt. Colonel, are the world-traveled adoptive parents of two adult daughters. They dote on their two sweet grandsons, and a whole menagerie of pets that include Corgis, cats, cows and more, between their two homes in Texas and Oklahoma. In her free time, Jan enjoys sewing and quilting, gardening, shopping on Amazon, and consuming ginger ale by the case.

RENEE GOMEZ, LMSW

Birthparent Care

Renee is a South Texas native who got her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, then put herself through grad school to earn her Master of Social Work degree. She is a licensed social worker, the published author of a novel, a serial dater, and the proud mom of an absolutely adorable canine fur baby named Bandit (and she is particularly blessed to have absolutely awesome hair.) She considers herself remedially-challenged when it comes to decorating, but she’s a great listener and a world traveler, and goes the extra mile to find great resources for her clients in need. Renee enjoys dancing, working out, doting on her nieces, and her favorite homecooked meal is picadillo (and yes, you read that right, lol.)

LAURANDA GARZA, M.S.

Agency Counselor

Our agency counselor, Lauranda Garza, was a former Abrazo/Mitchard Birthmother Scholarship winner who earned her Bachelor’s degree from UTSA and her Master’s degree from Texas A&M San Antonio. Lauranda (nickname: LaLa) is herself a birthmother who placed at Abrazo over a decade ago, and she treasures every contact with her daughter and her daughter’s adoptive family. LaLa’s hobbies including crafting, family gatherings, artful ink, and heavy metal music.

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CALLEY CROUCH, SPRING INTERN

Meet Calley, a Valley girl who got her Bachelor’s degree from UIW and is now pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M. Calley owns an online fashion boutique and is passionate about helping make the world a better place.

​Abrazo is an approved supervision site for Master’s-level counseling interns from a number of graduate programs in Texas. Every year, graduate students learning to become counselors work under the close supervision of Abrazo staff. Interns maintain weekly office hours, help facilitate the agency’s weekly birthparent support group, and provide free counseling services. Their volunteer service to Abrazo’s clients is much appreciated, and their contributions should not be underestimated.

ANNOUNCEMENT PENDING!

Family Services

When our former FSC left this month to take another job in the business sector, we swiftly launched a search for a new staff member, and found ourselves overwhelmed with more than 122 degreed applicants hoping to be considered for this position. We have carefully considered each one in hopes of finding just the right professional to take over the care of our hopeful adoptive parents, our parents-in-waiting, and our successful adoptive families. We can’t wait to introduce Abrazo’s new Family Services Coordinator very soon, so stay tuned! (And until then, rest assured that Jan and Ximena are at your service and ready to help, should you need the guidance of a trained and empathetic adoption professional.)

Our Programs & Events

In addition to quality placement services, we offer a number of programs and events designed to support our clients before and after placement. We know there’s no shortage of adoption resources out there, and we know our program isn’t necessarily the right one for everyone. We’re glad you’re checking out your options, and we wish you Godspeed in your journey, wherever it takes you.

Parents of Tomorrow Weekends

Parents of Tomorrow Weekends

Scholarships

Scholarship Funds

Camp Abrazo

Camp Abrazo

Angel Account

Angel Account

Abrazo Adoption Associates

10010 San Pedro, Suite 540
San Antonio, TX 78216
Abrazo Adoption AssociatesAbrazo Adoption Associates
3123 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78230

From Loop 410W, exit Cherry Ridge and travel west on the Loop 410 access road 4/5 mile; Abrazo is on the right side in the Glenny Law building, at the intersection of Cherry Ridge and the 410W access road. Enter the parking lot from the access road.

There is a reserved space for Abrazo guests in the front of the building; the rest of the lot is also open to building visitors, as is the back parking lot. Spaces which are not available to visitors are marked as such.

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    3123 NW Loop 410San Antonio, TX 78230 | 800-454-5683 | Email Us

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    24-Hour Birthparent HelpLine
    for New Placing Parents/Medical Emergencies

    Placing parents calling from Texas or surrounding states:
    800-454-5683

    Placing parents calling from outside Texas, please call collect:
    210-342-LOVE (5683)

    Placing parents text:
    210-860-5683

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    Mailing address:

    3123 Northwest Loop 410
    San Antonio, TX 78230