Globally an estimated 2-8 million children are in orphanages.
In the U.S. it is estimated that 400,000 children are in foster care. Weekend Miracles gives volunteer host families to older kids stuck in the US foster care system. Knowing this, the Arbonne Charitable Foundation partnered with Kidsave and granted funds for their Weekend Miracles program. Through weekends spent together, hosts get to know the kids, support them in their lives and introduce them to their networks. The goal for every child is a lifelong, connected, caring relationship with at least one safe, stable adult. This manifests as adoptions, guardianships, and a long-term mentoring relationships.
Hosting also is a great way to get to know older kids who have been in foster care for a long time and are in need of a family. Currently Los Angeles County operates one of the only hosting programs in the USA, Kidsave Weekend Miracles. Kidsave’s weekend hosts make a one-year commitment to have the child in their homes at least two weekends a month. Monthly community events are held to introduce the kids to people interested in adoption and hosting. In the event that a child isn’t ready for adoption, mentors are recruited, or the hosts continues sticking by the child so they have a long-term relationship.
What you should know — Foster Care is NOT permanent care and is not what these kids need most, a family.
Children cannot raise themselves. Without families, being shuffled from one foster home to another the odds are significantly against them growing into productive citizens – and the loss to society is devastating.
Many children without parents don’t finish high school, they end up homeless and in our prisons.
Among American Kids who aged out of foster care, by the age of 25-27:
33% had couch surfed or were homeless
33% were pregnant before age 18 and 80% had reported they had ever been pregnant.
46% were unemployed but most had some work experience.
66% of males and 33% females reported at least one night in jail.
66% females and 42% males have been on food assistance.
They are also prime candidates for trafficking, prostitution, terrorists and in other countries becoming child soldiers.
Through weekend visits with host families people have a chance to get to know the children and introduce them to friends, family and associates. The goal is to connect children in foster care with caring adults, ideally through adoption or as mentors.
If you are interested in hosting a child on weekends, volunteering or starting a program in your city please contact Kidsave at weekendmiracles@kidsave.org.
