Stories

After the sudden loss of her daughter, Julia immediately filed for emergency custody over her grandson. As a Store Coach for Walmart, she discovered her organization’s adoption benefits program and leaned on it for support. Walmart proved their commitment to support employees by providing financial assistance and check-ins for Julia. Read More

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is excited to announce the 17th annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list of employers leading the way in providing adoption and foster care benefits and recognizing the need for this life-changing support. Read More

For more than three years, Isaiah, Jordan and Sophia lingered in foster care after enduring physical abuse and neglect as their biological parents struggled with substance abuse. The siblings bounced from house to house, often separated from one another. Thankfully, they were adopted together by Shane and Adrian with support from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and their Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption recruiter, Anna. Read More

November is National Adoption Month, a special time to celebrate families that have grown through adoption and raise awareness of the thousands of children in foster care across the United States. Discover 4 ways you can make a difference during the month and all year long. Read More

More than 25 years ago, Dave Thomas led an initiative advocating for better adoption benefits in the workplace, because to him, it was just “the right thing to do.” Each year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption highlights the top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces. Read from organization leaders on why they are proud to offer adoption benefits. Read More

At age 6, Kenya was placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect. For nine long years, she worried that she would never have a permanent place to call home. Fortunately, Kenya was adopted by her aunt, Lekeitha, through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. Read More

Placed in foster care at just 2 months old due to neglect, Rhianna spent 15 years of her life waiting for a permanent family. Thankfully, her journey changed when she was adopted by Reegan through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, in partnership with The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Read More

Andrea, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter from Utah, was recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as a 2023 Recruiter of the Year for her dedication to finding permanent families for the longest-waiting children in foster care. Read More

Erin, a Senior Manager of Global Premium Content at American Express, waited more than a year to finally meet her son after starting her adoption journey. With the help and support of American Express, she was able to be present during her son’s birth and during those critical first days together. Read More

Rob and Kirstin dreamt of their future family since they were teenagers. Touched by the love from those around them, they knew early on that adoption would be part of their story. Kirstin advocated for adoption benefits to her employer, the Fetzer Institute, and with their support, the couple grew their family through adoption. Read More