Just as they were about to submit their adoption application, Johnstown couple Devin and Adrienne Allison discovered their third child, Rowan, was on the way.
Despite this news, the couple still felt called to adopt a child. They had previously experienced miscarriages and complications with the births of their two biological children, Riker and Annie, before deciding to adopt.
On Feb. 10, 2023, Devin and Adrienne picked up their adopted daughter, Josie, from a hospital in Dallas, Texas, when she was only a day old and brought her home.
“We didn’t choose Josie; God chose her for us,” Devin says. “She is amazing. She’s a little fireball and full of personality. Our whole family adores her. She’s the perfect addition to our family.”
During their adoption, the Allisons encountered several challenges, particularly related to the high financial cost and lack of structured support and mentorship. Their adoption cost more than $60,000, a barrier that forces many qualified, loving families to walk away from adoption entirely.
Out of the experience of the challenges they faced, the couple established Project ABBA, a ministry through Good Shepherd Church in Loveland designed to help families overcome the financial and structural barriers of adoption and foster care.
“When we were going through the process of adoption here in Colorado, we encountered a lot of barriers,” Devin comments. “We want to place kids in loving homes. The heart of Project ABBA is to walk alongside families to ensure cost, confusion, or lack of support never stands in the way of a child finding a loving home.”
Project ABBA officially launched in May 2025. Devin and Adrienne serve on the Project ABBA board alongside Austin Dyekman, the church’s lead pastor, and his wife, Katie, who have a passion for adoption and have fostered three boys themselves.
Since June, Project ABBA has raised around $100,000 and is currently supporting six families at various stages of the adoption process, including some who are undergoing home studies. A few individuals also have pledged to give a certain amount of financial assistance for later needs. The ministry provides financial grants, mentorship from experienced adoptive families, and practical support post-placement, such as meals, diapers, and care during transition periods.
Adoptions can cost up to $70,000, depending on the situation and agency. Project ABBA aims to remove that weight.
“Our goal is to make sure families don’t have to walk this road alone,” Devin says, noting many people drop out of the adoption process due to the costs. “Short-, medium- and long-term goals are to raise funds for families and to grow Project ABBA, so we can continue to support even more adoptions in the future”.
To raise funds for Project ABBA, an inaugural golf tournament was held at the Raindance National Golf Course in Windsor, Colo. in September. Also, Devin and the other Project ABBA board members are in the early stages of planning an annual gala.
While the focus is primarily assisting northern Colorado families with adoptions, the long-term goal for Project ABBA is to expand to helping families on multi-state and international levels. Devin also plans to partner with other churches in the future, further growing the Project ABBA community and impact.
“Adoption is a wonderful gift, not only for the child but also for the family,” Devin remarks. “It will change your mindset. Adoption challenges you as a family and as a parent, but it’s also extremely rewarding and increases your capacity to love.”
The name of the Allisons’ adopted daughter, Josie, derives from Josephine, the female version of the name Joseph. Joseph translates to “God will increase.”
“Obviously, we are adding Josie to our family, so that plays into it,” Devin continues. “But now with Project ABBA, we believe it has an additional meaning that God will continue to increase families and expand this mission through Project ABBA.”
To learn more about Project ABBA, visit https://www.gschurch.info/projectabba or contact Devin at 970-818-1133 or devin@believethedata.com.
“Adoption is a wonderful gift, not only for the child but also for the family."