*Note: I would like to clarify that this post applies to children in the US Foster Care System. These are generally children who's parents have passed away without legal plans in place for the care of their children, or children who were removed from their homes and the parental rights were or are in the process of being terminated. Women or couples facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering an adoption plan should not be lead to believe that their children will be placed in foster or group homes with no hope of adoption; on the contrary, there are millions of American couples who are unable to have biological children and are approved and waiting to adopt an infant. This article is not intended to shame or scare birth parents out of making adoption plans for children they know they cannot raise; it is intended to raise awareness of a separate need within the United States.
"It's so sad to hear about orphans all over the world. Thank goodness that's not a problem we have in the United States!"
There may be some truth to this statement. In the United States, no child can be forced onto the streets or left in an abusive home because of lack of space in group or foster homes. Modern medicine and healthcare help to prevent crises which cause orphan numbers to skyrocket in less developed nations. Care is offered to children until they are 18, instead of 16 or 14.
However, we cannot say that their is no orphan crisis within our own country. Imagine, for a moment, that on your 18th birthday, or within a few weeks of graduating high school, you had been sent out on your own. No, I don't mean you packed your bags and moved into a college dormitory, where your parents called every Sunday afternoon and sent you care packages. I mean completely, totally on your own, with no one to show you how to apply for college or financial aide, no one to teach you how to drive a car or help you shop for a car and insurance, and no credit history to apply for an apartment or any other financial commitment. Keep in mind, this is 2013. The job market is flooded; even people with impressive education and work experience are finding it hard to land work. Imagine trying to find steady employment that was enough to cover rent, utilities, food, transportation to and from work, clothes and shoes that were work-appropriate and wouldn't fall apart after one washing, and came with at least some form of health insurance. If you happened to find work that was pleasant enough that you could do it for 40 hours a week without going insane, or if it worked around a schedule so that you could go to school and pursue the career of your choosing, that would be a major miracle.
Maybe some of you have done that- I can think of a few people who have and were successful. But now, keep in mind, it would probably come up somewhere in the application or interview that you had grown up in foster care- and, all the presumptions that come with the word "foster child" are immediately projected upon you. Maybe, after years of being bounced from one home to another, you never had the opportunity to learn professional etiquette or how to speak to employers versus peers or family members. If you were constantly being moved from one school to another, your grades and education probably suffered. You have never had a consistent role model to look up to.
For many young adults emancipated from foster care, this is reality. In the United States:
-25% of all emancipated foster children will become homeless
-56% will become unemployed
-27% of men emancipated from foster care will spend time in jail
-30% of emancipated women will experience early parenthood.
The blame for these statistics can go many different ways. Under-qualified foster parents who give up on children too quickly. Legal issues which make it hard for even the most loving foster families to provide a consistent home for children in foster care. However, regardless of who or what is to blame, the truth is that the United States is in no way immune to the worldwide orphan crisis. Today, in the U.S., approximately 107,000 children wait for their forever families. Adoption from the US foster care system can cost less than $500, and many grants are available for families wanting to adopt. Click here for information on state requirements for adopting through foster care.
For more information on the orphan crisis within the United States and how to get involved, visit http://icareaboutorphans.org/
Showing posts with label Where Children are Waiting for Forever Families. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Where Children are Waiting for Forever Families. Show all posts
Monday, August 12, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Where Children Are Waiting: Uganda
Uganda is a country close to my family's heart, as it is where my one and only brother calls home. When he comes home for Christmas or a short summer visit, he has all kinds of stories about the beautiful land, the rich culture and the wonderful people that make up this nation long-known as "The Pearl of Africa."
Uganda's population is approximately 33,796,461 spanning over 241,551 kilometers of fertile land. It is the third poorest country in the world, with half it's population under 14 years old. One in every six people is dying of the AIDS virus, and orphans make up ten percent of the population. Children in Uganda die daily from malnutrition, lack of medical treatment, and basic necessities. Many sleep on dirt floors infected with lice and flees every night. Many will never have the opportunity to obtain an education (2).
Uganda has become a well-known name among those with a heart for adoption, particularly with the recent release of the book, Kisses from Katie. This book shares the story of one young woman who has become a foster mother to thirteen girls in Uganda (check out her blog here!). Uganda is not a party to the Hague Convention. Adoptive parents are expected to reside in Uganda with the child for three years, but exceptions can be made. Applicants for adoption must be 25 years of age or older and at least 21 years older than the adoptive child. Married couples may adopt jointly, and singles may also adopt a child of the same sex. For international adoption, parents must demonstrate having no criminal record, financial stability, and approval from their home country to adopt. For American families wanting to adopt, more information is available on the Intercountry Adoption page for Uganda.
For those wanting to help, but not ready to formally pursue adoption, please check out Amazima Ministries, founded by Katie Davis:
You may also wish to explore Orphans Heart, which includes opportunities to donate and even travel to Uganda short term to minister to orphans.
If you think your son or daughter might be waiting for you in Uganda, you can contact all agencies placing children from Uganda with one form at Rainbow Kids.
Disclaimer: Information is gathered from various sources, including adoption blogs, government websites, and adoption agencies. Policies may change in accordance with time of adoption, adoption agencies/ orphanges, and other factors. It is the responsibility of potential adoptive parents to gather accurate information before and during preparation for adoption.
I have $450 raised so far for the Miss International Pageant! If you would like to sponsor me and help me represent Wisconsin and be a voice for orphans, please donate here or send paypal donations to misswiinternational2013@gmail.com
Uganda's population is approximately 33,796,461 spanning over 241,551 kilometers of fertile land. It is the third poorest country in the world, with half it's population under 14 years old. One in every six people is dying of the AIDS virus, and orphans make up ten percent of the population. Children in Uganda die daily from malnutrition, lack of medical treatment, and basic necessities. Many sleep on dirt floors infected with lice and flees every night. Many will never have the opportunity to obtain an education (2).
Uganda has become a well-known name among those with a heart for adoption, particularly with the recent release of the book, Kisses from Katie. This book shares the story of one young woman who has become a foster mother to thirteen girls in Uganda (check out her blog here!). Uganda is not a party to the Hague Convention. Adoptive parents are expected to reside in Uganda with the child for three years, but exceptions can be made. Applicants for adoption must be 25 years of age or older and at least 21 years older than the adoptive child. Married couples may adopt jointly, and singles may also adopt a child of the same sex. For international adoption, parents must demonstrate having no criminal record, financial stability, and approval from their home country to adopt. For American families wanting to adopt, more information is available on the Intercountry Adoption page for Uganda.
For those wanting to help, but not ready to formally pursue adoption, please check out Amazima Ministries, founded by Katie Davis:
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Where Children Are Waiting: Ukraine
The country of Ukraine spans 603,700 square kilometers in Eastern Europe, partially bordering the Black Sea. It is described as a flat, fertile, forested plain with few natural boundaries. (1) Ukraine has been struck with great economic and social hardships as a result of its connection and subsequent separation from the USSR. Poverty and depression abound, and alcoholism is rampant as a result. (2)
Most of my readers who know me personally have viewed the original video about Anna, the young lady who inspired my platform, followed by her exciting update a few weeks later. While researching for the video, I read that there are approximately 100,000 orphans living in Ukraine's 450 orphanages, with 100,000 more orphans living on the street. Because of the lack of space, children cannot live in or receive care from the orphanages after they turn sixteen. Out of the many "graduated" orphans, it is believed that 60 percent of the girls end up in prostitution and 70 percent of the boys end up in crime. Fifteen percent of "graduated" orphans commit suicide to escape life on the streets, and only 1 percent graduate college.
While not part of the Hague Convention, Ukraine currently remains open to Americans wanting to adopt (although rumors abound that Russia is pressuring Ukraine to close). United States citizens must be found eligible by the American government to adopt. Under Ukrainian law that came into effect April 24, 2008, adoptive parents must be at least 21 year old, and at least 15 years older than the adopted child (but no more than 45 years older). Only married couples are eligible to adopt, and, while no specific income level is required, adoptive parents are required to submit documentation of their income and financial standing. (3)
Ukrainian law requires children to be registered with the national adoption registry for at least one year and be at least five years old before they are eligible for international adoption. Exceptions may be made for children with special needs, sibling groups, or relative adoptions. (4)
The duration of Ukraine adoptions from completion of the dossier to travel is approximately 7-12 months. Some regions of Ukraine require one trip of 4-6 weeks, others require two trips of shorter duration.
Could your child or children be waiting in Ukraine? To contact multiple adoption agencies placing children from Ukraine with one form, visit Rainbow Kids.
Disclaimer: Information is gathered from various sources, including adoption blogs, government websites, and adoption agencies. Policies may change in accordance with time of adoption, adoption agencies/ orphanges, and other factors. It is the responsibility of potential adoptive parents to gather accurate information before and during preparation for adoption.
Please consider donating to my sponsorship fund; I need to raise $200 by Friday to secure my title and continue promoting my platform!
Like my facebook page!
Visit the Bringing Orphans Home Jewelry Business
Most of my readers who know me personally have viewed the original video about Anna, the young lady who inspired my platform, followed by her exciting update a few weeks later. While researching for the video, I read that there are approximately 100,000 orphans living in Ukraine's 450 orphanages, with 100,000 more orphans living on the street. Because of the lack of space, children cannot live in or receive care from the orphanages after they turn sixteen. Out of the many "graduated" orphans, it is believed that 60 percent of the girls end up in prostitution and 70 percent of the boys end up in crime. Fifteen percent of "graduated" orphans commit suicide to escape life on the streets, and only 1 percent graduate college.
While not part of the Hague Convention, Ukraine currently remains open to Americans wanting to adopt (although rumors abound that Russia is pressuring Ukraine to close). United States citizens must be found eligible by the American government to adopt. Under Ukrainian law that came into effect April 24, 2008, adoptive parents must be at least 21 year old, and at least 15 years older than the adopted child (but no more than 45 years older). Only married couples are eligible to adopt, and, while no specific income level is required, adoptive parents are required to submit documentation of their income and financial standing. (3)
Ukrainian law requires children to be registered with the national adoption registry for at least one year and be at least five years old before they are eligible for international adoption. Exceptions may be made for children with special needs, sibling groups, or relative adoptions. (4)
The duration of Ukraine adoptions from completion of the dossier to travel is approximately 7-12 months. Some regions of Ukraine require one trip of 4-6 weeks, others require two trips of shorter duration.
Could your child or children be waiting in Ukraine? To contact multiple adoption agencies placing children from Ukraine with one form, visit Rainbow Kids.
Disclaimer: Information is gathered from various sources, including adoption blogs, government websites, and adoption agencies. Policies may change in accordance with time of adoption, adoption agencies/ orphanges, and other factors. It is the responsibility of potential adoptive parents to gather accurate information before and during preparation for adoption.
Please consider donating to my sponsorship fund; I need to raise $200 by Friday to secure my title and continue promoting my platform!
Like my facebook page!
Visit the Bringing Orphans Home Jewelry Business
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