Adoption isn’t just a legal process; it’s a lifeline. It’s a chance for a child to have stability, care, and the chance to grow up in a loving, supportive home. That’s why adoption matters, and why this month always deserves more than a passing mention. It’s a reminder that there are still children waiting, still families hoping, and still stories unfolding that show how connection and care can truly change a life.
National Adoption Month puts that truth front and center. Each year brings a fresh push to raise awareness, but the heart of it stays the same: children who cannot remain with their biological families need a permanent, loving home. When kids know they’re safe and cared for, everything else becomes possible—healing, confidence, and the opportunity to thrive in a stable, loving environment.
In the rest of this blog, you’ll see what that looks like up close. We’re sharing a firsthand testimony from an adoptive family – a real story about connection, commitment, and the lifelong impact of saying, “yes.”
Adoption in Virginia: Numbers, Needs, and Opportunities
In Virginia right now, there are more than 5,600 children in foster care. Of those, about 46% are teenagers, making the challenge of finding permanent homes even more urgent. Meanwhile, a fraction are reunified each year: roughly 31% of youth return to their birth families annually, which puts pressure on adoption and other permanency routes.
When it comes to adoption, Virginia still has a long way to go. Virginia ranks as one of the worst states in America for the percentage of children who age out of foster care without a permanent home – 20% of children who exit Virginia faster care each year age out at 18 years old.
These numbers highlight why adoption matters. The need for adoptive families is urgent. If you have been thinking about adopting, there is no better time than now.
Life After Foster Care: Why Adoption Matters Before Aging Out
In Virginia, nearly 500 youth age out of foster care each year without permanent families to support them. These young adults often face hurdles like finding stable housing, continuing education, and accessing healthcare, all while learning how to navigate life independently. Having a permanent family can provide the guidance, stability, and emotional support that makes this transition far less daunting.
Without the security of adoption, many youth face higher risks of unemployment, homelessness, and mental health struggles. The presence of a supportive, permanent family can dramatically improve outcomes, providing a safety net and a source of encouragement through life’s challenges.
- 71% of foster girls are pregnant by the age of 21. Nearly ¾ of girls who spend time in foster care get pregnant before they turn 21 years old.
- 20% of foster youth experience homelessness. For foster youth who age out of foster care at 21 years of age, within two years, 20% have experienced homelessness.
- 43% of foster youth have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is twice the rate of United States veterans.
- Only 49% graduate high school by the age of 19. Fewer than half of foster youth graduate high school by the age of 19. Former foster youth often realize that having a high school diploma is essential to earning a living wage.
- 20% of foster youth get arrested. This is one in five youths.
Adoption doesn’t just change a child’s life, it shapes their future. For youth aging out of foster care, having a forever family can mean access to opportunities they might otherwise miss, stronger social support networks, and the confidence to pursue their goals. These realities make it abundantly clear why adoption matters: every child needs stability, belonging, and hope for the future.
A Family’s Journey: Love, Connection, and Adoption
Every adoption story is unique, full of challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments. Here’s a look at one family’s experience, showing firsthand why adoption matters and the lasting impact it can have.
No one should have to walk through life alone. This is why Tammy and her husband have opened their home and hearts to countless children and teenagers in foster care. They have 10 adult children, both biological and adopted, another adoption in progress, and five teenagers currently in their care through foster placement.
One of those young people was a 16-year-old in the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) Program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Tammy learned about him and reached out to Krista, a WWK recruiter at CHS, in hopes of adopting him.
The WWK Program is a signature initiative of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that pairs specially trained recruiters with youth in foster care who have waited the longest, particularly teens, sibling groups, and youth with special needs. These recruiters use an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model, working with a small caseload so they can invest real time and care into finding each youth the right forever home. Research shows that youth in this program are up to three times more likely to be adopted than their peers in other recruitment models. Since its launch, WWK has helped more than 15,000 youth in the United States and Canada find permanent families. It is designed to reach the most vulnerable youth who might otherwise age out of foster care without a family.
During the six-month supervisory period before the adoption was legally finalized, he ran away from home. He and his girlfriend wanted to try making it on their own. Tammy vividly remembers the panic and helplessness she felt. Thankfully, she located him. She immediately called Krista for support and guidance. As she drove out of state to reach him, Krista stayed on the phone the entire way, reminding her what she had learned in training and giving suggestions on how to work through it with him.
“If it hadn’t been for Krista, I might have approached it in a way that caused him not to want to return home. The time, commitment, and advice from Krista were priceless in a difficult time,” Tammy recalls. A few months later, his adoption was finalized, and today he lives in Stafford with an incredible fiancée and has grown into an extraordinary young man.
Every child who enters Tammy and Kevin’s home experiences, through their words and actions, that they are loved, valued, and worthy. In a world that can often be unkind, these children discover trust and hope. Sometimes it’s the small moments—a hug after a hard day, a word of encouragement, a simple reminder: “You matter. You’re not alone,” Tammy says. These moments change lives, and their impact lasts long after a placement ends. The connections formed truly matter. “Even as adults, they reach out. It’s really cool to be part of their lives as adults,” she reflects, showing just how far love and support can carry a child.
The Time to Act is Now: Why Adoption Matters
The need for adoptive families in Virginia and across the country is urgent. Thousands of youth in foster care are waiting for stable, loving homes, many of them teens, siblings, or youth with special needs who might otherwise age out without a permanent family. Every adoption changes a life, providing safety, support, and the chance to truly thrive. This National Adoption Month, consider opening your heart and your home, because why adoption matters is clear: every child needs a family to call their own.
The Children’s Home Society of Virginia is there for adoptive families every step of the way. From the initial placement of a child to ongoing support like respite care, CHS provides guidance, resources, training, and encouragement whenever needed. The work to ensure families feel confident and supported, helping both children and parents navigate the journey of adoption with care, compassion, and expertise. With CHS by your side, you’re never alone in building a loving, permanent home.
