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Karen Dickerson

Date published: 11/24/2005

November is National Adoption Awareness month. There are more than 500,000 children in foster care, and 120,000 of them are legally free to be adopted.

One hopes most of these children will be matched with adoptive families, but sadly, 30,000 will turn 18 and "age out" of the system without ever finding a permanent family.

Can you imagine being 18, on your own, without any family support, guidance and love?

Why would anyone want to adopt an older child? What could a family possibly gain from opening their hearts and home to a child who is almost ready to live independently?

From personal experience, I can say that adopting a teenager will give you satisfaction you've never experienced before in your life.

Yes, there will be challenges, but the rewards will outnumber them tenfold.

My teens show me the resiliency of the human spirit. They show me that a real family isn't created only through blood, but mainly through love.

They are positive role models to our younger children. They live their faith and are positive examples to their friends.

People tell me how lucky my kids are to have found a family that is committed to them while so many other teens in foster care are forgotten. I let those people know that my kids aren't the lucky ones--our family is!

If the desire of your heart is to take on the joy and challenge of fostering or adopting a child, call your local department of social services to find out how.

Spotsylvania

Date published: 11/24/2005