When most of us hear the word “family,” we think of holiday dinners spent around the table, summer vacations, and childhood memories. But to the thousands of children waiting in foster care, the word “family” can feel foreign and hopeless. Each year 23,000 children age out of the U.S. foster care system having never experienced what it truly means to be part of a loving, stable family.
But it doesn’t have to be like that. All it takes is one caring adult to completely change the future for a child in foster care.
The Adoption Exchange exists to build connection, love, family, and hope one caring adult at a time.
Schianne entered foster care when she was nine years old and spent the next four years waiting, worrying, and losing hope every day of finding a family that would accept and love her unconditionally.
“It’s scary when you think about, ‘Oh, I’m just going to age out of the system without a family.’”
– Schianne
Each child in foster care is different. They have their own identities, hopes for the future, struggles, and fears. Some of these children have lost all hope of having a family. Many of them refuse to be recruited for, fearing another rejection—another heartbreak. That’s why The Adoption Exchange has a variety of programs to meet each child where they are, and to connect them with the right family.
The Adoption Exchange’s unique approach was a critical part of Schianne’s journey. Our child-focused recruitment model and small caseloads enable us to best serve each child depending on their needs.
In August of 2017, Schianne attended her first event with The Adoption Exchange, where she met prospective mentors Erica and Chad. They spent the next six months getting to know each other. Soon after, Erica and Chad began the process of being homestudied and certified in the hopes of becoming Schianne’s family.
Because of The Adoption Exchange’s efforts, Schianne was adopted in October 2018. She now has the love, support, and connection she deserves. Schianne gained a family this year. She has a chance at a brighter future, too. Schianne now dreams of attending Harvard University to become a criminal attorney. Erica and Chad have taken Schianne to visit Harvard and are committed to helping her make that dream a reality.
“I needed help and I got it. They totally changed my life in a way I thought would never happen…It’s just powerful and everybody should have somebody like that in their life.”
– Schianne
However, we know that the need doesn’t stop at adoption. The Adoption Exchange continues to support Schianne’s family with tailored family support services and specialized trainings to ensure that they will continue to thrive.
Schianne’s story is one of many with a happy ending, but there are still thousands of children in the foster care system waiting for a family and worrying about the future. Consider making a donation today to help The Adoption Exchange connect even more children like Schianne with the love and support of family.
With your help, we can change the future for the thousands of children still waiting in foster care. All it takes is one caring adult to change each and every one of their lives.
