Our Mission:
Our mission is to create change, so forgotten orphanage and foster kids grow up in families and connected to caring adults
Orphanages and Foster Care Damage Children
Children growing up in orphanages — whether they be government or private ones do not get the care they need. Research proves that without individual care, attention and stimulation, children’s brains and neurological systems do not develop normally. They develop learning disabilities, they have growth delays and they struggle with the psychological trauma of losing their parents and the neglect or abuse that led to that horrible end.
Children cannot raise themselves. Without families, the odds are against them growing into productive citizens and the loss to society is devastating. Many children without parents don’t finish high school, they end up homeless and in our prisons. They are prime candidates for trafficking, prostitution, terrorists and becoming child soldiers. The loss of human potential is incalculable.
Foster Care in the U.S.
In the U.S., there are thousands of foster care youth waiting to be adopted. Many are older (more than 9 years old), and with each passing year, they are less likely to be adopted, and more likely to “age out” of the foster care system without the support of a caring, responsible adult. Studies have shown that older youth are more likely to be adopted by people who know them. Yet, adults often don’t have opportunities to meet these wonderful children who are longing for a permanent family.
With family support, most of these children can function successfully. Many will have some lasting damage — learning challenges, emotional problems — but with the help of patient, compassionate parents they can learn and succeed. They have tremendous ability to be contributing members of society. This is the work of Kidsave — to create change, so forgotten orphanage and foster kids are found — and connected to families and caring adults.
Overlooked and Forgotten
Children in orphanages and foster care are overlooked and forgotten. While some governments, like the U.S., keep track of their own, no government agency monitors children outside of parental care — or those living in orphanages or foster care. No one counts — or holds governments accountable for children growing up in permanent family care.
In situations where children are adopted — either internationally or domestically — the older kids are frequently not considered. Many of these children are overlooked for adoption because they are not babies or toddlers. Older kids have a lot of value and can add much joy to a family. Children age 11 and older in the foster care system are more likely to grow up in the system than be adopted. And that’s not okay.
U.S. Kids in Need
Click on the photo to the left to see young people in need of parents. Please take a moment to scroll through and see if there is someone who touches your heart. If so, please contact sybil@kidsave.org.