This #NationalFosterCareDay, the team at Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is wearing blue to show support for youth in foster care and to raise awareness about the urgent need for #FosterCareAdoption. Reply 💙 if you believe that every child deserves a permanent home and a loving family!
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Non-profit Organizations
Dublin, OH 7,145 followers
Forever Families for Children in Foster Care
About us
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs and builds awareness around the growing need and importance of foster care adoption in various ways. We also develop resources for employers and families to support the adoption journey. Through our signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters in our child-focused recruitment model to find loving, permanent homes for children in foster care. This model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including older youth, siblings and children with special needs. The Foundation offers a free library of resources to help families navigate the adoption journey, such as Finding Forever Families: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption and Strengthen Your Forever Family: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Adoption. The Foundation also works to build awareness around the growing need and importance of adoption from foster care through public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships and more.
- Website
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https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/
External link for Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Dublin, OH
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1992
- Specialties
- Wendy's Wonderful Kids and Adoption-Friendly Workplace
Locations
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Primary
4900 Tuttle Crossing Blvd.
Dublin, OH 43016, US
Employees at Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
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Michael Welch OBE FRSE
President CEO @ Tirebuyer.com & Treadsy.com | Founder of Blackcircles.com | Board Advisor & Trustee for The Kings Trust US & The Dave Thomas…
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Dean Bring
VP, Development at Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
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Rita Soronen
President & CEO, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
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Mary Ellen Smalley
Sr. Level Strategic Communications and Public Relations Professional
Updates
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When youth in foster care are asked whether they want to be adopted, child welfare professionals should expect to hear “no.” However, instead of halting recruitment efforts at an initial “no,” professionals should assist youth in overcoming their fears in a way that respects their voice, privacy and dignity. Using a child focused recruitment model, Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiters help unpack fears and misconceptions about adoption. Learn the strategies they use to help youth: https://lnkd.in/gJYKTq_h
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Supported by Fifth Third Bank's adoption benefits, Jeremy and his wife adopted their daughter. "We wouldn't change anything," said Jeremy. "She's brought so much joy and happiness into our life." Read the Public News Service story ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gv5J6cK7
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As children head back to school, many are excited about the new friends they will make or subjects they will learn 📚 But, for the more than 108,000 young people currently waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United Sates, instead of focusing on school, they worry they may never have a permanent place to call home. Learn how the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption helps build brighter futures for the longest-waiting children in foster care: https://lnkd.in/gi6tY_3u
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Lace up your running shoes! 👟 Today kicks off the 2024 #Frosty5K Run for Adoption, hosted by The Wendy’s Company and presented by Pure Life US! Complete the virtual event at your own pace, anytime and anywhere by August 25. All proceeds from the event benefit the Foundation’s commitment to finding safe, permanent homes for children lingering in #FosterCare.
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Merriah spent nine long years in #FosterCare, waiting for a place to call home. Her journey changed when Emilie and John adopted her with help from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “A lot of the things that I do now, I would’ve absolutely never had the chance to do that previously,” said Merriah. In her #PermanentHome, Merriah now explores her passions: dance and music. She plans to attend college and train to become a firefighter. She also has big dreams to start her own media management company, pursuing her love of the arts. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gn7zZG3R
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Thanks to the support of his employer’s #AdoptionBenefits, Matt, a Chesapeake Energy employee, and his wife adopted their daughter. “We are so proud to once again be recognized for our family-friendly benefits,” said Toni Parks Payne, Vice President of Human Resources and Employee Services for Chesapeake Energy. “We are dedicated to empowering and supporting employees in all areas of their lives, and this honor underscores our commitment to their well-being.” Congratulations, Chesapeake Energy, for being recognized as a 2024 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace. Read Matt’s story: https://lnkd.in/g2kNsxjX
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The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is committed to collaborating with and elevating the impact of child welfare professionals. Sign up to receive stories of impact, lessons learned and practical resources to support your work: https://lnkd.in/g5Hh699w
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Once lingering in foster care without hope, Preston now looks forward to a future in #InformationTechnology since being adopted. His parents, David and Melissa, recognize Preston’s tech-savviness and will be by his side when he begins his career. “There will still be somebody there for him,” said Melissa. “That takes a lot of pressure off of him thinking about his future, which he never did before.” As families prepare for this year’s back-to-school season, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption celebrates the bright futures made possible through adoption. Read Preston’s story: https://lnkd.in/g_dHSNsv
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As Kenny Bednarek prepares to hit the track tomorrow for the Big Race, many may not know the path that led him there. As a young child, he was placed in #FosterCare after enduring abuse and neglect. Thankfully, Kenny’s journey changed when Mary adopted him at 4 years old. Over time, Kenny realized how his early years in foster care shaped him. Running became more than a sport ... it became his way of overcoming difficult emotions, ultimately leading him to the world's biggest athletic stage. Kenny is partnering with the Foundation to help raise awareness about the urgent need for foster care adoption. Learn more about his inspiring journey to becoming an Olympian: https://lnkd.in/gSF_EuUe
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