Blog

National Foster Care Month and the Importance of Advocacy

May is National Foster Care Month! National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau. Each May serves as a time to acknowledge and recognize foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help youth in foster care find permanent, loving homes. In Virginia, […]

2022 Anniversary Celebration at Main Line Brewery

Children’s Home Society of Virginia was founded in 1900 as a result of both outside influence from the National Children’s Society and the number of neglected and abused youth who needed care in Virginia. Since our inception, we have been a pioneer in allied fields of care for at-risk youth. Our open doors signaled a […]

Children’s Home Society of Virginia Adoption Programs

The Children’s Home Society of Virginia was founded to build strong, permanent families and lifelong relationships for Virginia’s at-risk children and youth. Since 1900, we have been guided by the fundamental belief that every child deserves a home. We find permanent, loving adoptive homes for children of all ages and provide critical support services to […]

Children’s Home Society of Virginia Board Members

Not only did we have a lot of new staff join our team last year, which you can read about in last month’s blog, but we also have new board members we’d like to introduce to you! Our current board members include: Chair: Carlon Zanders Chair-elect: John Owen Gwathmey Immediate Past Chair: Mel Tull Treasurer: […]

Children’s Home Society of Virginia Expands

The number of youth entering the foster care system has never grown at such a steep rate as it is now. There are currently more than 1,700 youth in Virginia foster care waiting to be adopted. Unfortunately, youth enter the foster care system due to neglect, parents’ substance abuse, and physical abuse. We know that […]

Nonprofits to Support With Year-End Giving Contributions

This holiday season, now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, we kindly ask that you consider donating to our Red Stocking Campaign.  Established in 1909, the Red Stocking is a historical campaign done by Children’s Home Societies around the country to raise money to help find safe homes for children of all ages. […]

Adopting Older Children and Teens During National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month! We believe that every child deserves a permanent, loving home. Permanency makes all the difference in the life of a child. National Adoption Month has been celebrated every November across the country for more than two decades. November serves as a time to educate local communities through programs, events, and […]

The Beat Goes On

Oftentimes, adopted children experience loss, grief, trust and attachment issues, identity formation problems, trauma, developmental delays, and school difficulties. Post adoption services are meant to meet the unique individual needs of each child and family with the goal of building and maintaining strong, permanent families. However, the global pandemic has made it difficult to offer […]

What is Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®?

In Virginia, 400 youth age out of foster care each year. These youth are at risk for devastating outcomes, including homelessness, drug use, unemployment, early parenthood, and even incarceration. Fewer than 1 in 6 will graduate from high school. 1 in 4 will be incarcerated within two years. 1 in 5 will be homeless within […]

The Need for Adoptive Families is Urgent

According to the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, foster care family inquiries have declined by 30 percent in the state of Virginia within the last six months. Yet, the demand for children and teens needing safe homes is rising.  Indeed, there is a particular need for families who are able to foster and adopt teenagers. Courage and […]