Children’s Home Society of Virginia is honored to celebrate 125 years of creating brighter futures for Virginia’s at-risk children and youth. Our programs connect loving families with youth in foster care, guiding them through the adoption process and providing ongoing support to ensure long-term success. We stand by families throughout training, approval, and matching and continue to support them even after adoption. For youth who have aged out of foster care, we offer not just housing but a full range of wrap-around services, empowering them to build independent and fulfilling lives.
Reflecting on 125 years of creating brighter futures, we are grateful for the lasting impact we’ve made together for Virginia’s children. From caring for orphans on Church Hill to building families through adoption and finding loving homes for foster youth, everything we’ve done has been driven by our commitment to serving Virginia, one child and one family at a time. As needs have changed, so has our focus–now supporting youth aging out of foster care and advocating for their success. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of people like you. As we look to the next 125 years, your generosity can continue to create brighter futures for future generations.
Making an Impact: How Your Support Changed Lives in 2024
Together, we’re creating meaningful change in the lives of Virginia’s children, youth, and families. Permanency matters; youth with secure attachment have more positive educational
and social outcomes, are more independent, have a stronger sense of self, and have better mental health.
Here’s how your generous support has created brighter futures in 2024:
- 45 children were adopted
- 578 adoptive parents received post-adoption services
- 217 adult adoptees were served
- My Path Forward program served nearly 30 youth with housing and wraparound supports.
When you donate to The Children’s Home Society of Virginia, you’re giving more than just a gift—you’re helping to create lasting connections and provide love, stability, and hope to the youth who need it most. Together, we can change lives and build a stronger, brighter future for Virginia’s children.
Foster Care Adoption in Virginia: Challenges, Hope, and the Power of Permanency
Adoption in Virginia holds the power to transform lives, providing children in foster care with the stability, love, and opportunities they deserve. Currently, there are 4,800 children in Virginia’s foster care system, and of those youth, approximately 700 are waiting for adoption. These children often face unique challenges, including frequent moves, disrupted education, and the uncertainty of not knowing when or if they’ll find a family. For many of these youth, the lack of permanency can have a profound impact on their emotional well-being, academic achievement, and overall mental health. Foster care adoption offers these children not just a home but a future where they can feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
The adoption journey can be complex, requiring families to navigate emotional, logistical, and financial challenges. However, the rewards are immeasurable—not just for the children but also for the adoptive families. Studies show that children who find permanent families through adoption are more likely to graduate high school, pursue higher education, and develop healthy relationships. Despite the challenges, we work tirelessly to break down barriers and support families through the process. By raising awareness and providing critical resources, we can ensure more children in foster care find the loving homes they need.
Adapting Through the Decades: Always Putting the Needs of Children First
The Children’s Home Society of Virginia has continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of children in foster care, prioritizing their well-being through innovative solutions. From its early days in the 1900s, the organization has shifted its priorities, responding to societal changes, financial challenges, and the growing demand for foster care services. Throughout the decades, we have adjusted our policies and programs by incorporating social workers, broadening our services, and embracing diverse families, all driven by our unwavering belief that every child deserves a permanent, loving home.
Key milestones in this evolution include embracing open adoption in the 1990s, launching the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program in the 2000s, and pioneering post-adoption services and housing support for aged-out foster youth in the 2010s. By constantly adjusting to the unique needs of children and families, we have remained dedicated to finding the right fit for every child. These efforts continue to transform lives and ensure that the children of Virginia always come first, with each decade bringing new strategies for creating brighter, more stable futures for youth in need.
From Hope to Home: A Heartwarming Adoption Journey
Your donations help youth like Ellie.
Ellie is a thriving collegiate athlete at Randolph College, and her parents, Amy and Jon, are her biggest fans, both on and off the field. Watching her succeed brings them immense pride, but their journey to parenthood wasn’t without challenges.
Encouraged by friends who had adopted through the Children’s Home Society of Virginia, Amy and Jon reached out to CHSVA years ago, hoping to grow their family. In July 2005, they had their first home study meeting with Donna, a dedicated CHSVA social worker. Reflecting on the process, Amy is deeply grateful for Donna’s expertise and care. The home study process didn’t feel invasive; instead, it became a meaningful opportunity for Amy and Jon to reflect and grow as a couple, building a strong foundation for their new role as parents.
Amy often shares, “We are the lucky ones. Ellie has brought so much joy to our lives. Adoption is a beautiful thing.” Two and a half years after welcoming Ellie, their family grew again through adoption. Ellie, and her brother, Cooper, share a wonderful bond, and the family remains thankful for CHSVA’s role in bringing them all together.
Help us create more success stories—donate today to support children and families on their adoption journey!
Looking Ahead to 125 Years of Brighter Futures
As we celebrate 125 years of changing lives, we invite you to join us in creating even more hope and opportunity for Virginia’s children. Your year-end gift to the Red Stocking Campaign can help provide loving homes, critical support, and brighter futures for children in foster care. Every donation, regardless of size, makes a lasting impact—ensuring that Virginia’s children and youth without a permanent family receive the support they need. Together, we can transform lives and make this holiday season a time of true joy and hope. Please give today and be the light that forever changes a child’s life.
Every dollar makes a difference in the life of a child. Please donate to our Red Stocking Campaign today.
In honor of our 125th year, we’re planning exciting community events throughout 2025. Be on the lookout for more information about each of our upcoming events.
Annual Let Love Grow Event
- Sunday, April 27, 2025
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
CHSVA Family Day at The Diamond
- Summer 2025
CHSVA Family Reunion Picnic
- Fall 2025