Ohio — At 6 years old, Ernesto (“Ernie”) was found wandering the streets, trying to find food. Not receiving the care he needed, he was placed in foster care and waited for a permanent home for eight long years. “I was a little stressed out because I’ve moved around, I think four or five
By Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption There are no more critical voices in this business than those with lived experience. David Ambroz has a powerful voice and a compelling and very difficult story that he has shared in “A Place Called Home.” His rive
Arizona — Johnathan and Patty were placed in foster care due to neglect as their biological mother struggled with drug addiction. Scared for their future, Johnathan vividly remembers the night they were removed from their house. “It was just me and my little sister,” said Johnathan. “I was pre
If The Walls Could Talk – TV
The teen featured in this TV PSA bravely shared their lived experiences prior to being placed into foster care. If the Walls Could Talk aims to shine a light on the circumstances from which children are removed and placed into foster care. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption works tirelessly to
Dan, an employee of Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV), and his wife, Jayne, vividly remember the 4 a.m. phone call they received that forever changed their lives. They had been waiting for that call for years since deciding to grow their family through adoption. A baby girl had just been born and w
Jonathan and Megan with their four children, Elizabeth, Julia, Aiden and Cody Jonathan, a Director for Patient Data Solutions for Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and his wife Megan, began serving as foster parents seven years ago with the goal of supporting successful reunifications
Amy Chang is a mother and content creator based in Los Angeles, California. Her beauty platform is focused on wellness and helping women look and feel their best. Adopted as an infant from South Korea, Amy was placed in the foster care system again when she was 10 months old before being adopted by
New York At just 8 years old, Brianna was placed in foster care, through no fault of her own, after experiencing years of abuse and neglect. The youngest of six children, Brianna was separated from her siblings, including her oldest sister, Amanda. “When you go into foster care, you’re like,
Florida Willie was just 11 years old when he was placed in foster care after experiencing abuse and neglect. “I remember that we were struggling, me and my mom,” reflected Willie. “We didn’t really have food, nothing like that. We were sleeping on the floor.” As his time in foster care b
Mississippi After Kameca’s friend opened her and Jamar’s eyes to the great need for foster-to-adopt families, the couple sought to find a way to create permanency for children in foster care. Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, Kenyata, was looking for a forever family for Niyah and Elias — siblings w
