Stories

Have you ever perused the list of top Adoption-Friendly Workplaces? Have you ever felt an ache in your heart about children who are in foster care, growing up without a permanent family taking care of them, loving them, teaching them all the things people need to know to be independent and prosper? You may already […] Read More

Ohio - Important. Loved. Happy. These are the feelings described by siblings Taye, KeMarquez and Kiondre after being adopted by empty-nesters Carla and Oliver in Ohio. But the brothers didn’t always feel that way. Placed in foster care after being abandoned in a hotel room, the children spent several years — often separated — waiting for a forever family. “I remember when I thought I was too old to be adopted and that nobody wanted me,” recalls 15-year-old Taye, the eldest of his brothers. “I couldn’t really think of my future … I just wanted to get through the day.” Thankfully, the journey changed for Taye, 12-year-old KeMarquez and 7-year-old Kiondre, who were adopted during the pandemic with help from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and their Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, Angela. Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters work with smaller caseloads to ensure that each child receives the time, resources and support they deserve. Read More

Parents magazine recently profiled several families who came together through foster care adoption — including Tonya in North Carolina and siblings Michael, Roman and Lilliana in Washington, who were adopted through the Foundation's Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. Read More

Canada - In 2021, the Foundation had a chance to visit with the family again to hear how things are going. John was eager to reflect on how adoption has changed the journey for Serenity in ways that many said were not possible. “When she graduated from SK, she actually did the procession with the rest of her class,” said John. “To see her walk with her typical class was one of my proudest moments.” “She’s able to go up and down stairs on her own, she takes off her own jacket and shoes now,” reflects Kathryn. “These are things we were told would just never happen. Eight years in, I can see the changes in her, and I think for Serenity, adoption has given her the chance to feel comfortable and to thrive and to have a chance to let her personality come out a lot more.” Read More

For more than 25 years, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has been committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. In the 2019 annual report, we are pleased to highlight the signature programs, partnerships and awareness-building efforts that are helping to achieve our vision: every child will have a permanent home and loving family. Read More

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is pleased to recognize our Building Fund Campaign donors who generously gave $10,000 or more to help with the build-out and ongoing management of our new forever home. Read More

The following individuals represent the growing number of generous donors who are passionately helping to advance the Foundation’s mission. We are pleased to share some of the many reasons they support this critical work. Read More

Annual survey of employers reveals increased investment in adoption benefits Columbus, Ohio — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption today released its annual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list recognizing organizations with the most robust adoption benefit programs. The Foundation partnered with RTI International, an independent, nonprofit research institute, to survey employers across the United States and […] Read More

Public-private partnership will find adoptive families for longest-waiting youth Columbus, Ohio — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national nonprofit public charity, is proud to announce an expansion of its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, to find adoptive homes for children in Indiana’s foster care system. This unique public-private partnership between the Indiana Department […] Read More

North Carolina - Placed in foster care when he was 7, Conner spent nearly half of his young life longing for a permanent place to call home. “I moved a bunch. I really didn’t want to move that much. I didn’t think I could have a family,” he shared. Fortunately, Conner was adopted at age 12 by James and Jayme through the Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program and has the comfort and security he deserves. Read More