WHO IS THE DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION?

Right now, more than 113,000 children are waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States.

Created in 1992 by Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding permanent, loving homes for children in foster care who are most often overlooked.

HOW DO WE HELP CHILDREN LINGERING IN FOSTER CARE?

Through our Wendy's Wonderful Kids^® program, the Foundation supports the hiring of adoption recruiters who serve the longest-waiting children in foster care. This includes teenagers, children with special needs and siblings, who many unjustly say are "unadoptable." But we have proven that with enough resources, we can find the right family for these young people.

Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiters work with smaller caseloads to ensure every child receives the support they deserve. A rigorous, five-year national evaluation revealed that a child referred to the program is up to 3x more likely to be adopted.

WHY IS OUR FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IN CRISIS?

Our nation's child welfare system is being stretched far beyond its capacity as families are devastated by the opioid crisis, lasting effects of the pandemic and other issues. Children are placed in foster care after enduring abuse, neglect, parental drug use or other issues. Many have experienced countless layers of trauma, grief and loss in their lives.

The priority of the foster care system is to keep families together. But when a judge has ruled that it is unsafe for a child to return to their family of origin, they need someone to step forward to adopt them.

Nearly 400,000 children are in foster care in the U.S., more than 113,000 of whom are waiting to be adopted — an 11% increase over the last 10 years.

HOW IS THIS CRISIS IMPACTING CHILDREN?

Last year, nearly 20,000 youth turned 18 or 21 and aged out of foster care without a permanent family. That's more than 50 young people per day!

With nowhere to turn for support, they are at a much higher risk of experiencing negative outcomes — like homelessness and unemployment — which can happen to a child without the love and stability of a permanent family.

We are racing against the clock to find forever homes for youth lingering in foster care, like Ellie, Maci and Xavier, before it's too late.

Looking for ways to get involved?

• Donate
• Read and share stories of impact
• Thank an adoption recruiter

Donations to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption are in U.S. dollars and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by U.S. law. Tax ID: 31-1356151.

Thank you for considering supporting the Foundation. Together, we will make a lifetime of impact for children and teens lingering in foster care who need our help the most.

Changing the Journey: Ellie's Story

Ellie spent most of her childhood moving back and forth between living with her birth parents and other caregivers. She was finally placed in foster care at age 16 after experiencing abuse, neglect and years of bullying at home and at school. She was in a dark place.

Thankfully, Ellie's journey changed when she met her Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiter, Chelsey. With support from Chelsey and the Foundation, Ellie started to feel her worth and welcomed being adopted at age 19. Shawn and Matt welcomed Ellie into their home, and now she finally feels safe, hopeful and at home.

A Brighter World: Maci's Story

Maci had all but given up hope of having a loving family. Placed into foster care at age 15 after the death of her parents, Maci said she had come to terms with being alone.

Thankfully, Maci was referred to the Foundation's Wendy's Wonderful Kids program. Her adoption recruiter, Stephanie, never stopped believing that Maci deserved a forever family. Maci was adopted just 51 days before her 18th birthday by Chris and Gigi. Maci never thought she would go to college, and now she has received her undergraduate degree in art therapy as well as a master's degree.

A Place to Call Home: Xavier's Story

Xavier felt lost and scared as he became closer to aging out of foster care. At a time when many high school students are looking to the future with excitement, he was worried about what was going to happen when he left a group home and aged out. He did not think that adoption was within reach for him.

Thankfully, Xavier was adopted by his father Joe just two weeks before his 18th birthday. Now, Xavier feels safe, and he knows he can dream of a brighter future with the support and stability of a permanent home.

YOU CAN HELP MORE YOUTH LIKE ELLIE, MACI AND XAVIER

The Foundation's caring community of supporters empower our work to raise awareness about the urgent need for foster care adoption, advocate for adoption benefits in the workplace, provide resources to support the adoption journey and more.