When I First Met My Child

The moment when a parent first meets their child is unforgettable. For children in foster care, that moment cannot come soon enough. Too many of our children have been in care waiting for families for years. 

And they are not only living with the grief and loss of their family of origin, no matter what circumstances brought them into care, but also, if they are older, are trying to live in a system that may move them multiple times. Too often, they have simply given up on the notion of a forever family.

At the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption we are driven by Dave Thomas’ wise words that “these children are not someone else’s responsibility – they are our responsibility” and we work indefatigably to assure that every child can meet, for the first time, the family we promised.

Our When I first met my child campaign taps simply but poignantly into that special moment, and celebrates that children can be any age when they are successfully connected with their adoptive families. 

As a part of this effort, we also released our newest PSA, Cuando conocí a mi hijo (When I first met my child). As we filmed it, it was an honor to spend the day with the featured family and to hear their heartwarming story of how adoption has played such a special role in their lives.

Margarita told us, “Our family is a puzzle. If there is a piece missing, your puzzle is not complete until you find that piece. I believe in miracles (Nuestra familia es como un rompecabezas. Si falta una pieza está incompleto. Tu familia no está completa hasta que encuentres esa pieza)." Their story is powerful and we are honored that they shared their family with us, helping us to make our make our materials and messages available in Spanish.

Please consider adding your voice to this campaign. The more the public hears about foster care adoption, the more likely we will move children out of foster care and into the homes they belong. To add your story, visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DaveThomasFoundationforAdoption) and print a sign from our #whenifirstmetmychild photo album, then post a photo holding your sign. Together we can show that, no matter their age, and no matter what language they speak, every child is adoptable. 

All materials are available as downloads and free of charge at:

www.davethomasfoundation.org