National Foster Care Month- How can we help?

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. But there is still so much work to be done, as there are more than 123,000 children waiting to be adopted. (www.adoptuskids.org)

Blogfully, along with others, are joining hands (through the Global Influence team) to help spread the word about 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 raise awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved.

As a blogger, I’ve been asked to help spread the word about National Foster Care Month by simply sharing a few links and asking readers to watch a video on how they too can help. Readers are also invited to join together on May 27th @ 2:00pm EST, on Twitter, for an #AdoptUsKids one hour chat to get the message out about National Foster Care Month.

When I received the initial email asking bloggers to help spread the word, I quickly emailed back to say yes. I didn’t know what I was going to write about, but I wanted to do my part in raising awareness about the many children still left in foster care; as well, I just felt a strong urge to share. In stating this; please forgive me for any lack of information I provide; I get a little choked up. Please click on any links within this post to read more about National Foster Care Month and to find out how you can help put these wonderful children into loving homes just like yours.

I don’t know all the reasons behind why kids are ever put up for adoption or why they are taken into foster care. I do know that some situations are horrible and it pains me to read about it, speak about it or even write about it. There are millions of reasons behind the “whys” that I will never understand. The point is, none of these kids ever asked to be brought into this world. These kids deserve every chance at having a wonderful life and that’s why I chose to spread the word.

When I think about kids in foster care, waiting to be adopted, I get a lump in my throat. I want so badly to walk up to them-each of them, give them a hug and tell them everything’s going to be okay but the harsh truth is, it won’t be- unless we all do our part in helping connect those caring parents with these loving kids. Many people want to take a child into their home but they don’t know where to start, where to go or who to talk to about moving forward with their needs to adopt a child. That’s where Adopt Us Kids comes in. There, you can find answer to the questions you’ve been asking. There you can read the stories of children just like Edlina and her brother Albert (pictured on your left). If you know of anyone that is looking to be a foster parent or one that is looking to adopt- please forward the post to them. Even better, send them to www.adoptuskids.org. Tell them about the online communities on facebook and twitter. Tell them to watch this video. 

I’d like to leave you with a message from Adopt Us Kids (.org):

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 (click on the image to your left to read their story).  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. 

Disclosure: Global Influence is currently finalizing an incentive program for participants in this campaign. As of now, it was my decision to help spread the word. For more information and details on National Foster Care Month; please visit any one of the links provided in the post. Thank you so much.

This post was written by

barb – who has written 1177 posts on Blogfully.

Barb is wife to a taxidermist and mother to three outrageously rambunctious kids (ages 8, 10 & 18). She's a stay at home mom by choice and a blogger by surprise. She's your typical fun loving, happy-go-lucky gal...but probably the most hyperly enthusiastic one you'll ever meet...She loves to write and has so much fun connecting with everyone!

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