Lights, Camera, Family

Maria Riley reviews Erin R. Dooley's new short film, which promotes foster care awareness. 

In just fifteen minutes, Adopting Faith offers a glimpse into the world of foster care adoption. In the short film written, directed, and produced by Erin R. Dooley, a grieving widow must decide whether or not to go through with an adoptive foster care placement of two siblings. She and her husband began the process together, including being matched with these two particular teens. Now that she’s on her own, she doesn’t know if she has the strength to adopt the two teenagers without her husband. 

With a little help from extended family members and a lot of faith, the woman accepts the kids into her home. In a matter of weeks, though, things start to turn south. Her son struggles with school and social settings, and her daughter is caught drinking alcohol. What seemed like a good idea quickly spirals into something she feels she can’t handle.  

In a moment of despair, she calls the social worker to disrupt the placement (send the kids to a different foster or group home). He reminds her of her training and preparation, and she aptly exclaims, “Knowing something in my mind versus living it in real life are totally different things.” 

Watch the Trailer for Adopting Faith:

A Film that Reflects Real Experience 

This was my personal experience as a foster and adoptive mom. Though the required pre-placement training was meant to prepare us to be foster parents, my husband and I discovered that the reality was vastly different than what we imagined in our heads. Thankfully, with a huge dose of grace from God, we were able to adopt three of our foster children and give them a forever home.  

Adopting Faith is a short film that introduces viewers to some of the realities of foster care and adoption. Dooley, a former foster parent herself, created the film to promote awareness and introduce people to the different ways they can support foster and adoptive families. Her vision is that churches and pro-life organizations would host a Film & Foster Fair to share information about foster children.  

According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, there are over 437,000 children in foster care with over 118,000 of those children waiting for adoption. As Catholics committed to defending the dignity of all people, opening our homes and hearts to these orphaned children may be exactly how God is calling us.  

Being a foster parent is one of the most challenging seasons my husband and I have ever been through, but it was also one of the most fruitful and rewarding. Even if you are unable to take in a permanent foster child, you can help by being a respite provider or donating your time and/or treasure to foster families and group homes in your area. 

How to Spread the Word About This Movie

Consider hosting a Film & Foster Fair at your parish, or at least watching, liking, and sharing Adopting Faith on YouTube. As Erin Dooley said, “Everyone is worthy of love, care and parenting. Together we are stronger and my hope is that Adopting Faith will inspire people to consider what they can do for a child in need.” 

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Copyright 2025 Maria Riley
Images: Dash Entertainment, all rights reserved.