Family in a court on their adoption day. Ensuring every child has a permanent, stable living situation is a cornerstone of child welfare. Ideally, this takes the form of reunification with a child’s family of origin. But in cases where a court deems that is not a safe option, permanency may also tak
There’s a common saying that, “it takes a village to raise a child.” Within the foster care system, that could not be more true. As child welfare professionals or family units involved in foster care, you witness this firsthand through the many people participating in child and family team meetings
The Foundation originally shared Tonya’s adoption story in May 2020. We caught up with her in August 2024 to hear how having the support of a permanent, loving family has changed her journey. North Carolina – Tonya was born to a family where she suffered years of abuse and neglect. She lingere
Keith’s childhood was filled with instability and uncertainty. Abandoned by his mother, Keith lived the first three years of his life in foster care before moving in with his biological father. However, due to neglect, Keith was placed back into the system at 14. Sadly, he spent the next several yea
During the 2024 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® Summit, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recognized Amy, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter with Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, as a Recruiter of the Year. Amy’s passion for achieving permanency for children in waiting in foster care is evid
The Foundation originally shared Maci’s adoption story in October 2018. We caught up with her in June 2024 to hear how having the support of a permanent, loving family has changed her journey. Florida – Adopted just 51 days before her 18th birthday, Maci had all but given up hope of having a l
Jahmie grew up in a tumultuous environment, experiencing abuse, neglect and pervasive drug use that made his home unsafe. At 13, Jahmie was placed in foster care and separated from his siblings. He spent the next five years bouncing between different foster homes before aging out of the system at 18
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption welcomed more than 600 child welfare professionals to Columbus, Ohio, April 23–25, for the 2024 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® Summit. During this annual event, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters and supervisors from across the United States and Canada come tog
During the 2023 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® Summit, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recognized Andrea, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter with Raise the Future in Utah, as a Recruiter of the Year. Andrea is a passionate, diligent professional who has a special ability to connect with the childre
Growing up in Nova Scotia, Karen remembers vividly the day she discovered what she wanted to do when she grew up. She was 13 years old when she went to Wendy’s® for chili and a Frosty® and read about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada on the food tray liner. Karen with her 2021 Wendy
