There are 123,000 U.S. children and teens waiting to be adopted. Of the more than 5,000 children in foster care actively photo listed on AdoptUSKids.org, 42 percent are 15–18 years old.

For this reason, AdoptUSKids chose to focus its 15th National Adoption Recruitment Campaign on the rewards of adopting a teen. The national ad campaign – a partnership of AdoptUSKids, the Children’s Bureau, and the Ad Council – includes videos and ads that showcase the many moments that make adopting a teen rewarding and highlights the stories of families who have adopted from foster care. Each public service announcement ends with: “You can’t imagine the reward. Thousands of teens in foster care are ready to make an impact on your life,” reminding prospective parents that teens in foster care can help them grow in unexpected ways.

Check out one of the moving videos in which a teen boy begins to realize he is at home:

Here’s another one of the powerful videos AdoptUsKids created. This one, Real Rewards, features real adoptive families talking about the love and other real rewards they experienced from adopting a teen:

You May Be the Person a Teen Is Waiting & Hoping For

Have you ever considered helping a local child or teen in crisis? By becoming a foster or adoptive parent, you can help a young person who has experienced child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. You can change a child’s life forever, whether you choose the path of temporary foster care aimed at a safe family reunification or choose to care for a teen who is specifically waiting to be adopted. Both paths begin here – learn about becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

People from all kinds of life situations can foster or adopt a child. Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may qualify!

At KVC, we guide you every step of the way by providing:

• Free foster/adoptive parent training and ongoing support available 24/7
• A sense of community with other foster parents who share your passion
• Assistance finding local resources
• A fun weekend away at our Resource Family Conference, which provides a fantastic learning experience for parents and children
• And of course, monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs plus assistance with back-to-school supplies and holiday gifts.

Contact us today to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

To see children near you who need adoptive families, visit www.AdoptUSKids.org.