# Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary's Services > Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary's Services is an Illinois-licensed nonprofit adoption agency and perinatal mental health provider, founded in 1887 by the Episcopal Sisters of St. Mary's. It offers adoption services for expectant parents, birth parents, adoptive families and adoptees, plus counseling for prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss, and adjustment to parenthood, along with case management and baby essentials. It serves families from offices in Hanover Park, Palatine and Elgin, Illinois. ## Key facts - Name: Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary's Services. Also appears as Hopeful Beginnings, Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary's, and St. Mary's Services (the agency's historical name; the About page says St. Mary's Services does business as Hopeful Beginnings). - What it does: Adoption services (options counseling, adoption planning, home studies, matching, post-adoption support) and perinatal mental health counseling, plus a case management program for families with children under age 2. - Founded: 1887, by the Episcopal Sisters of St. Mary's in Chicago. - Organization type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit; Illinois licensed adoption agency, DCFS License #040234. Supported in part by Episcopal Charities. - Office: 1515 E Lake St, Suite 105, Hanover Park, IL 60133 - Office: 510 N Plum Grove Rd, Palatine, IL 60067 - Office: 420 Wing St, Elgin, IL 60123 - Phone: 847-870-8181 - Fax: 847-870-8325 - Email: information@hopefulbeginning.org - Areas served: Illinois – Cook County, Kane County. - Languages: English and Spanish (Spanish is stated for the Case Management Program and by the Executive Director; individual staff languages are listed under Team). - Session format: In person at the three offices or by telehealth (per the Miscarriage page); case management is delivered by telehealth. - Payment for counseling: Accepts all Medicaid plans and commercial insurance; sliding scale available for uninsured or underinsured clients. Counseling for birth parents is free (per the FAQ page). - How to get started: Call 847-870-8181 or use the contact form at https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/contact-us/. Current counseling clients join telehealth sessions through the Connect With Your Therapist page. - Leadership: Natalie Rodriguez, MPPA, PMH-C, Executive Director; Julia K., MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director; Connie J., LCSW, Clinical Supervisor. The content on this site is general information only and is not medical, mental health or legal advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. ## About Hopeful Beginnings - [Home](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/): Overview of adoption, perinatal mental health and family support services. - [About Us](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/who-we-are/): Director's letter, vision, mission, values and agency history since 1887. - [Strategic Plan](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/strategic-plan/): The agency's strategic plan. - [Our Staff](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/our-staff/): Directory of current staff with credentials and titles. - [Reviews](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/reviews/): Testimonials from counseling clients, birth parents and adoptive families. - [Waiting Families](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/waiting-families/): Profiles of adoptive families who have completed a home study and are waiting to adopt. - [Placed Families](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/placed-stories/): Stories from families who have adopted through the agency. - [Agency Reports](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/agency-reports/): Annual reports, DCFS annual reports, audits and tax returns. - [Locations](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/locations/): Addresses of the Hanover Park, Palatine and Elgin offices. - [Service Areas](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/service-areas/): Communities served in Cook County and Kane County. - [Contact Us](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/contact-us/): Phone, fax, email, office addresses and contact form. - [Ways to Give](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/ways-to-give/): Donations, sponsorships, volunteering, registries and fundraising. - [Sponsors and Supporters](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/get-involved/sponsors-supporters/): Corporate and individual sponsorship of agency fundraisers. - [Our Events](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/our-events/): Community fundraisers, walks and gala. - [Employment](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/employment/): Current job openings. ## Adoption Services - [Adoption Services](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/): Overview of adoption support for birth families, adoptees and adoptive families. - [Potential Birth Parent](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/potential-birth-parent/): Confidential, judgment-free options counseling for an unplanned pregnancy. - [Expectant Parent](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/adoption-process-for-birth-parents/): How expectant parents meet with a counselor, make an adoption plan and choose an adoptive family. - [Adoptive Parents](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/adoptive-parents/): Services, adoption costs and tax credit information, and support for families hoping to adopt. - [Post-Adoption Services](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/post-adoption-services/): Lifelong support and records information for birth families, adoptees and adoptive families. - [Adoption Resources](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-services/adoptive-parents/resources/): Links to outside adoption resources and financial assistance options. ## Mental Health Services - [Mental Health Services](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/): Overview of perinatal and adoption-related counseling. - [Adoption-Related Mental Health Services](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/adoption-related-mental-health-services/): Counseling for adoptees (ages 12 and up), birth parents and adoptive families. - [Prenatal Depression](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/prenatal-depression/): Counseling for depression and anxiety during pregnancy. - [Prenatal Anxiety / Postpartum Anxiety](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/postpartum-anxiety-prenatal-anxiety/): Counseling for anxiety during pregnancy and after birth. - [Postpartum Depression](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/postpartum/): Counseling for depression after childbirth. - [Adjustment to Parenthood](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/adjustment-to-parenthood/): Counseling, referrals and resources for the transition to parenthood. - [Teen Parenting](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/teen-parenting/): Support for teen parents through the perinatal mental health and case management programs. - [Grief and Loss (of Pregnancy)](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/grief-and-loss/): Counseling after the loss of a pregnancy or child. - [Miscarriage](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/grief-and-loss/miscarriage/): Confidential miscarriage counseling, in person or by telehealth. - [Post-Abortion](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/grief-and-loss/post-abortion/): Confidential, judgment-free counseling after terminating a pregnancy. - [Stillbirth](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/grief-and-loss/stillbirth/): Counseling for parents after a stillbirth. - [Case Management Program](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/services/case-management-program/): Monthly telehealth support and Baby Closet items for families with children under 2, in English and Spanish. ## FAQs - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/faq/): Answers about services, the adoption process, timelines and support for birth parents and adoptive families. ## Team - [Natalie Rodriguez](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/natalie-rodriguez-executive-director/): MPPA, PMH-C, Executive Director. Agency leadership; background in maternal and child programs and grant writing. Languages: English, Spanish. - [Julia K.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/julia-k-mswlcsw/): MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director. Has worked across teen parenting, postpartum counseling and adoption. - [Connie J.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/connie-j/): LCSW, Clinical Supervisor. Perinatal social work; joined as a bilingual perinatal social worker. - [Angie D.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/angie-d/): MSW, Perinatal Social Worker. Perinatal counseling; experience working with teens. - [Kaitlyn M.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/kaitlyn-m/): MSW, LSW, Perinatal Social Worker. Maternal mental health; background in child welfare and behavioral health. - [Michaela C.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/michaela-c/): MSW, LCSW, Perinatal Social Worker. Therapy for women and the LGBTQIA+ community. - [Sandra L.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/sandra-l/): MSW, LSW, Perinatal Social Worker. Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and life transitions; graduate of a bilingual MSW program. - [Humera K.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/humera-k/): Intake Coordinator & Teen Perinatal Social Worker. Adolescent and young adult mental health using CBT and psychoeducation. - [Megan R.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/megan-r/): MSW, Adoption Social Worker/Birth Parent Counselor. Adoption, child welfare and crisis intervention. - [Yessenia D.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/yessenia-d/): Case Management Coordinator. Case management for families. Languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese. - [Karishma P.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/karishma-p/): Grant and Donor Coordinator. - [Gina B.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/gina-b/): Fundraising Assistant. Fundraising events. - [Hunny G.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/hunny-g/): Executive Assistant. Languages: English, Filipino. - [Natalie Z.](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/team-member/natalie-z/): Adoption Intern. Supports birth parents and adoptive families. ## News and Updates - [Blog](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/blog/): Articles and podcast episodes on adoption, pregnancy and perinatal mental health. ## Other Languages - None. The site offers a Spanish option through an on-page translation widget, with no separate Spanish URLs. ## Optional - [Connect With Your Therapist](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/connect-with-your-therapist/): Telehealth check-in links for current counseling clients. - [Co-pay / Sliding-Scale Payment](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/PX9FHDXPBQS52): PayPal page for counseling co-payments and sliding-scale fees. - [Refer Clients](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/refer-clients/): Referral information for health and community partners. - [Sign Up for Seminars](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/sign-up-for-seminars/): Registration for adoption seminars. - [Mailing List](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/mailinglist/): Sign up for agency news. - [Accessibility](https://www.hopefulbeginning.org/accessibility-notifications/): ADA accessibility statement and feedback contact.