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17 people are interested
Adopt a teen in foster care!
ORGANIZATION: Family & Youth Initiative
Please visit the new page to apply.
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17 people are interested
Why adopt a teen?
Because they need love and belonging just like all of us. Teens are not too old to bond or for you to mold. In fact, teens in foster care are some of the most loving young people you’ll ever meet.
Teens who age out of foster care often have no place to call home. Nowhere to go for Thanksgiving dinner, no one to walk them down the aisle, pick them up when they stumble, or help them learn what it means to be an adult. They need parents to teach them what a loving relationship looks like, how to file their taxes, and how to disagree without fighting.
Who can adopt?
Any adult (21 or older) who has space in his or her home, the time and energy to parent (yes, adopting a teen demands lots of time and energy), stable finances, can pass background clearances, and is willing to understand the needs of children who have experienced trauma.
Adoptive parents can be:
- Married or single
- Straight or gay
- Own their own home or rent
- Live in a house or a unit in a larger building
What are the steps to adopting?
- Find an adoption agency
- Complete pre-service training and home study
- Be matched with a child
- Have that child live with you for at least six months before you can file an adoption petition
Adopting a child from foster care is not expensive. You won’t have to pay agency fees or incur lots of other expenses and Family & Youth Initiative will help you navigate the process.
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Opportunities
About Family & Youth Initiative
Location:
853 New Jersey Avenue,SE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20003, US
Mission Statement
Family & Youth Initiative (DCFYI) creates enriching lifetime relationships for youth at risk of aging out of foster care. We make a difference in the lives of older children by forging pathways to adoption while building bridges between youth and a community of adults willing to open their hearts and homes.
Description
Family & Youth Initiative (DCFYI) helps older children (12 to 21) in foster care find adoptive families and make lifelong connections with caring
DCFYI focuses solely on helping teens at riskof aging out of fostercare find adoptive families and develop lasting relationships with other caring adults. We are unique in that we offer opportunities for adults who are not yet approved to adopt or mentor to meet and get to know teens so that relationships can grow naturally, which is a much more effective way for adults and teens to get to know each other and get comfortable before any formal mentor or adoption match is made.
We are one of very few organizations that create low barrier ways for adults to get to know and help teens in foster care. We encourage creative responses to the needs of individual teens and abilities and availability of interested adults.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
853 New Jersey Avenue SoutheastSuite 200Washington, DC 20003
DATE POSTED
April 15, 2024
SKILLS
- Youth Services
- Mentoring
- Child Welfare
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 21
- Orientation or Training