Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Mission of Adopt-Us-Kids

Guest post by Sean Carroll at New Media Strategies

Most people familiar with the adoption and foster care process are aware of the many groups and organizations that play a role in finding homes for so many children who need them. As you all may or may not know, May is Foster Care Awareness Month. You can visit the official website here: http://www.fostercaremonth.org/, however, I have included some information below:

“All children deserve a safe, happy life — including the 496,000 American
children and youth in foster care. Young people in foster care especially need
nurturing adults on their side because their own families are in crisis and
unable to care for them.

"Each May, we salute the compassionate people
who make a difference by serving as foster parents, relative caregivers,
mentors, advocates, social workers, and volunteers. Thanks to these unsung
heroes, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will either safely
reunite with their parents, be cared for by relatives, or be adopted by loving
families.”

Since so many potential families are considering adoption through foster care, I wanted to take a moment to highlight one organization, in particular, that has been doing tremendous work in this field as of recently.

The organization is called Adopt-Us-Kids and they have found homes for over 10,000 children who were simply looking for a place to stay and be loved. Take a moment to read through their website, which can be found here: http://www.adoptuskids.org/. Adopt-Us-Kids (which I have come to recognize as a true blessing), and the website they put so much time into, are a fantastic resource for prospective parents who are considering adoption and/or foster care. The following is the very direct, yet powerful mission statement behind Adopt-Us-Kids:

“The mission of Adopt-Us-Kids is to recruit and connect foster and adoptive
families with waiting children throughout the United States.”

Their website also features a substantial and heartstring-pulling photo-listing of numerous children looking for homes where they will be loved, in addition to a great deal of information and support resources to help in understanding and becoming a part of the adoption or foster care process. Additionally, Adopt-Us-Kids also takes the time to educate and encourage potential parents about adopting teenage children, many of whom are never taken into a home simply because of their age.

So throughout May, please keep all of these children in your prayers. And if you find yourself considering adoption, take a moment to look at Adopt-Us-Kids as a resource to use throughout your journey.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Visit the r house

Mrs. r at the r house has just started You Promote Adoption I Promote You

I love the idea because:
1. I've been thinking about doing spotlights for you couples hoping to adopt for a while, but really am too lazy/busy to keep up with it.

2. Because ADOPTION is totally a cause worth promoting. (Exactly why I started this blog/site.)


I am also TOTALLY IN LOVE with mrs. r's Matching Mondays segment.


Make your adoption happen, click on one of the links above. You just might fall in love with a child or a sibling group while checking out that last one! =)

Amanda

Thursday, April 16, 2009

An interview with Troy Dunn of WeTV's The Locator

By Brittany M. of queandbrittanysblog and authorbee's blog.



Through Mormon Mommy Blogs I was given the chance to interview Troy Dunn, of WeTV's program The Locator. Troy works to reunite family members who have for various reasons been scattered and separated. Troy is also an LDS bishop.

I took this opportunity to ask him about his show, his faith and his opinions on openness in modern adoption practices. He spoke about birth mothers and gave wonderful advice for adoptees and adoptive parents. Check it out by clicking here! **UPDATE The MMB site was down this weekend but it is now back up.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Things to Consider

1. Near the Bottom of the page is a link to Mrs. R's Matching Mondays. If you are looking to adopt, please take some time to check it out. (Also near the bottom of the page is my submission guidelines if you want your "Hoping to Adopt" site posted here.)

2. Birth Mother's Day is coming up!
Provo Families Supporting Adoption is hosting a Celebrating Adoption Walk May 9 @10 a.m. in honor of Birth Mothers Day. It will be at the Provo High School track (1125 North University Ave. Provo, UT. 84604) Wear white or an 'adoption shirt', games and activities for kids and and adults, drinks and snacks provided. Everyone is invited!

3. There will be a 5k race on May 30th for ADOPTION:
$20 for an individual
$50 for a family
Visit Adoption Exchange for more information (Utah area, events in other locations are also listed on this website.)

4. The 2009 Chalk Art Festival is coming June 19-20. The Utah Foster Care Foundation hosts this.

Visit http://www.chalkartfestival.org/ for more information.



5. Also there is a new button to this blog at the bottom of the page on the left hand side.

*If you have any other news in the adoption world, please let me know. Continue to spread the word about adoption. Advocate constantly, you never know who may be considering abortion.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Adoption Exchange

There are many children waiting for homes at this time. Visit http://www.utdcfsadopt.org/ for more information on those waiting for a loving family in the state of Utah.

Also check out some of the websites in the right sidebar if you are hoping to adopt.

Amanda

Monday, March 30, 2009

Foster Care (message for couples waiting)

I know this may be asking a lot of you, but I wish for you to think on the children out there waiting for a home in the Foster Care system. Maybe this isn't right for you at this time. Maybe you have needs to fulfill first or have been driven in another direction by the spirit. I just hope I can plant a simple seed, even if its just curiosity to look further into Foster Care as a means of building your family, or helping other families get back on their feet. This isn't a program for the faint hearted. THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES.

I just want you all to know how incredibly fulfilling this has been so far for me. I LOVE the boys in our care so very much. They touch my life daily. When we first received the boys into our home I thought: "What am I getting myself into???"

There were challenges I thought I was ready for but really I wasn't quite ready for them. I thought I was so prepared. I just couldn't wait for that phone call. We said yes to the first call, and now we do not regret it. I won't lie, at first I was in over my head. Three months really was a magical mark. Had a kid potty trained, the crying and tantrums had changed. And now at our five month mark, I can't imagine not having the boys with us. The thought of them leaving saddens me. I want them here in my family forever. I am so attached. I love getting hugs and playing with the boys so very much. Anything could happen still in regards to where the boys go. It will break my heart if I have to say goodbye!

I really just want to send this message out there to couples looking to adopt. I want to let them know this is a route, if they are brave if they are willing to risk heartache.

An Open Adoption Documentary

Adoption Isn't Selfish

Straight from a Birthmom...

The Open Adoption Project via The R House