Introduction to the important work of Minnesota Adoption Resource Network

1. Overview

2. Our Mission – In their words…
Brittney, 15 Brett, 13 Joe, 15
What I am looking for in a family I think it would be great to have I really want a family with a
is a mom & a dad or a single a mom & a dad but I’m open to mom & a dad & I am open to
mom. I also would love to have having a single parent too. I miss older siblings. I live in a rural
a mom that would like to do my sister so it would be nice to setting right now & I like the
girly things (like shopping) with have a sibling or two. I suppose I feeling of a small town. A family
me. While all of this is very could adjust to being spoiled as that also lives in a rural area
important, I also want a family an only child! would be a great fit for me!
that is active & has a lot of fun! I Most of all, I am looking for a
Bottom line: I need what
would like parents that are family that likes to hang out
everyone else does. I need a
patient, forgiving, kind & loving. together, celebrates holidays
family who will love me, not give
I have been waiting for a long together & sticks together, no
up on me, & accept me, even
time but am very hopeful that matter what.
with the challenges that face
the right family is out there for
me.
me.
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3. Our Mission
Minnesota Adoption Resource Network is the only non-profit in our state
dedicated to the recruitment of permanent families for
Minnesota’s waiting children.
650 Minnesota children and teens wait for a
On any given day,
family.
We’re launching a Zero Kids Waiting Campaign to reduce the number
of waiting children to
ZERO.
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4. The Problem
• How long must a child wait?
Nat’l avg wait for a child is nearly 4 years in continuous care
–
Nat’l avg from TPR: 14.5 months; Minnesota average: 16.5
–
Over the past 5 years, only 40% find adoptive homes
–
– Older children are less likely to be adopted
• While 40% are 12 to 18 years old, accounted for only 18% of adoptions
• How significant is the problem?
– Cost of not finding families for our vulnerable children is high
36% become homeless
•
36% are incarcerated
•
31% become welfare beneficiaries
•
The teenage pregnancy rate is double that of their peers
•
40% probability of being unemployed by age 24*
•
*Data provided by Coming of Age report prepared by the Urban Institute under
contract with US Dept of Health & Human Services
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5. Our Approach
• Connect adoption agencies with prospective
parents & help them navigate the system
• Do not represent parents or agencies - We stand for
the waiting children of Minnesota
• Give dignity, hope & a voice to children in foster
care
• We believe every Minnesota child & teen deserves
a permanent family.
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6. Our Programs
• Our Voices Matter
– Youth-driven leadership program for foster and adopted teens
– Provides advocacy and self-recruitment
• Minnesota State Adoption Exchange
– Searchable database of waiting children
www.mnadopt.org/SAE/Public/Search.aspx
• Minnesota Adoption Support & Preservation
– Helps families that have adopted with training, support, newsletter,
website www.mnasap.org
• Raising Awareness
– e-Newsletter
– KSTP’s “Thursday’s Child & Star Tribune’s “Featured Child”
– Minnesota’s Waiting Children Magazine
– Zero Kids Waiting Campaign www.zerokidswaiting.org
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7. Corporate Partnership
• Charities Review Council – Oct 2008
• Financial Support
– Annual Fund Campaign - $200,000
• Raise Awareness
– Inclusion in company publications, newsletters, website
– Access to company venues & events to educate prospective
adoptive families
– Featured charity
• Impact Focused
– Collaborate with organizations, companies, faith communities &
individuals
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8. ZeroKidsWaiting
To many, zero means nothing.
When it comes to children waiting for parents,
we believe that ZERO means everything!
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