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National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 107,000 U.S. children in foster care waiting to be adopted. This annual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families.

National Adoption Day began in the year 2000 as an effort to push delayed adoption proceedings through the court system.  The founding coalition of nonprofits behind the effort included The Alliance for Children's Rights, Children's Action Network, Freddie Mac Foundation and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. In its first year there were nine jurisdictions that participated and now this remarkable day is celebrated nationwide in more than 400 cities.

In total, National Adoption Day has helped nearly 58,500 children move from foster care to a forever family. This year on November 19, communities across the country will open their courts to finalize thousands of adoptions. Last year, more than 4,000 children were adopted on this special day.

“National Adoption Day has truly become rooted in communities and courtrooms nationwide. In fact, many families choose to finalize their adoption on National Adoption Day because the day is so special,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “We celebrate with these families and continue to tirelessly work toward achieving our vision, that every child will have a permanent home and a loving family.”

To learn more about your community’s celebration visit: www.nationaladoptionday.org/events/

For more information about foster care adoption, call the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption at 1-800-ASK-DTFA, or order the free adoption guide at davethomasfoundation.org/free-resources/

About us: The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 130,000 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, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is America’s only nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 100,000 children waiting in foster care to be adopted. We are driven by Dave’s vision: Do what is best for the child. In our unwavering pursuit of this goal, we award grants to adoption organizations that connect children with families, raise funds to support our awareness campaigns and service initiatives, and offer free resources to organizations and prospective parents. Because we depend on people like you to help us fulfill our mission, please visit davethomasfoundation.org, or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA to find out how you can help.

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