FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION E-NEWS Flst

Super Bowl & Adoption – Related How?

When talking about the Super Bowl, you might not think about adoption but there is an interesting connection.  The 49ers quarterback in this year’s Super Bowl was Colin Kaepernick, who was adopted as a baby.  His single birth mother cared for him during the first five weeks of his life until she was certain that she had found the perfect couple for her new son.  She specifically chose them for several reasons, including their love of sports.  On national television, Kaepernick proclaimed that being adopted was the “biggest blessing of his entire life.”

Playing for the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl was Michael Oher.  His life was portrayed in the movie The Blind Side, which starred Sandra Bullock and for which she won an Academy Award.  Michael Oher was adopted as a practically homeless teen.  His adopted family, as well as Sandra Bullock and her adopted son, were at the game to cheer on Oher and his team to victory in the Super Bowl.  Oher’s adoptive mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy, has said, “Families don’t have to match.  You don’t have to look like someone else to love them.  There are wonderful kids all over this country who need a forever family.  We believe there are no unwanted kids, just unfound families.”

Foster Care & Adoption Themes in Television

Several of today’s television series involve characters with foster care and adoption storylines.  In NCIS, Abby Sciuto learns that she is adopted via a DNA match and finds that she has a biological brother.  In NCIS-Los Angeles, G. Callen’s history is that he grew up in foster care.  The product of many foster homes, G. eventually left foster care, having never been adopted.  In Glee, a teenage couple have an infant and place her for adoption with a schoolmate’s biological mother. Parenthood features a couple before, during and after the rocky but successful adoption of a 10-year-old boy.  These themes provide a wonderful awareness of foster care and adoption and helps to enhance efforts in recruiting families to our program.

Blossoms in the Dust – Adoption Film of the Month!

Blossoms in the Dust is a movie from 1941 that tells the story of how the Texas Children’s Home Society was formed.  The film is in black and white and gives a rich history of adoption and the challenges of the families involved at that time.  Children’s Bureau gives this movie a Four-Star rating!

Get Rewarded for Referring a Family!

Just a reminder that Children’s Bureau offers a $500 referral fee for each family our certified families refer.  $250 is paid at the time of certification and a second $250 is paid at the time a child is placed with the new family!  This is our way of thanking you and encouraging you to continue to recruit families who have the ability, willingness and resources to protect and nurture the many needs of these special children.  We have pride in our families and look forward to having you join us.

Also, many thanks to those of you who have referred family, friends, co-workers, church congregations, etc. to learn about our program.  Your effort is greatly appreciated and has a true impact on the lives of children in need.  Keep those referrals coming as we continue to have children in need of a safe home.