May is National Foster Care Month

Published May 22, 2010 |

National Foster Care Month

Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the thousands of children and youth in the U.S. foster care system. The National Adoption Campaign in partnership with the Children’s Bureau, AdoptUsKids, and the Ad Council raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved.

Together, We Can Make a Difference
Through the dedication of advocates, child welfare professionals, elected officials and support groups around the country, the total number of children waiting for a safe and permanent family has decreased from more than a half million to 463,000 between 2003 and the end of 2008. These numbers tell us that, together, we can make a difference for children in foster care.

Did you know it would take less than 1% of the U.S. population to provide a family for every child in foster care?

May is National Foster Care Month and there has never been a greater need to bring attention to children waiting for forever homes. More than 463,000 children are currently in foster care and 123,000 children are waiting to be adopted.

Children in foster care are loving children. They are children like Shaquane and Edlina and Albert. Every child deserves to have a home with caring and supportive parents.

Help us spread the message this month to reach all Americans and teach them about the love and joy that foster care adoption can bring to your life.

Visit www.adoptuskids.org to learn more about fostering and adopting. You can also join our online communities on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve thought about being a foster parent many times in my life. I’ve had two beautiful sons and I love them with all of my heart and soul. I’ve wondered if I could bring a child into my home, my life, and give them that same kind of love that I’ve given to my own sons. I think, that if my situation was a little better, then I could do it. Right now, with my new business just getting off the ground, I know I couldn’t give the attention that a foster child would need. But I think sometime in the future, this is something that I’d like to do.

I went to Adopt Us Kids and saw all the ways to help out with foster care. I went and looked at all the different children who need loving, patient, caring families right now, and it nearly broke my heart. To see how many children there are who need “Forever Homes”. I wish I could adopt them all! To think there are so many people out there right now who might not even be considering adoption or foster care… you should be. Think of how wonderful it could be to bring a young child into your home and give them the love that they need and you have to give. What a wonderful gift that is!

To find out more about National Foster Care Month visit Adopt Us Kids. Watch the video “Children In Foster Care”, & keep tissues handy! Find more ways that you can help on the Adopt Us Kids website! Then join us May 27 at 2 p.m. EST on Twitter for an #AdoptUsKids one hour chat to get the message out about National Foster Care Month. Find Adopt Us Kids on Twitter and Facebook and make sure you follow them for the Twitter party on May 27th!