CHILDREN IN VIRGINIA’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM NEED ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

In Virginia, approximately 5,300 children live in some type of foster care setting. Many have spent most of their lives in this "temporary" situation, and have moved within the child welfare system more times than they care to remember. Many will never return to their birth families. Approximately 1,300 children are legally free for adoption. At United Methodist Family Services (UMFS), we believe that every one of these children deserves a permanent, loving home.

These are very real children who desperately need families of their own. Because the public is so often unaware of these kids and their needs, we would like to draw special attention to waiting children during National Adoption Month in the hope that we can unite many of these young people with permanent, adoptive parents.

These waiting children come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have physical or mental disabilities; some are part of a sibling group; some are of African American, Native American, or Latino heritage; and many are older children or adolescents. UMFS believes that there is no such thing as an unadoptable child.

Those who are thinking about adoption should know that adoption has changed significantly over the past 30 years. You don't have to be married, childless, rich, or own a house to adopt. You DO have to provide a stable, loving home, and be able to help your adopted child work through issues raised by his or her past.
UMFS has many teens and sibling groups waiting for a permanent home to call their own. To find out more, call 855-FOR-UMFS.

UMFS has been serving children and families across Virginia since 1900. We have offices in Richmond, Tidewater, South Hill, Fredericksburg and Alexandria. To learn more about our mission of “Touching Lives. Creating Futures.” visit www.umfs.org.