We have all been stuck in our homes for months, but there are plenty of kids out who would love to be in that position.
They are kids in need of adoption, and they don’t deserve to be forgotten just because of COVID-19 has everyone stressed out.
At any given time, approximately 3,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system are waiting for adoptive families. Of those, nearly 300 don’t have an identified adoptive family. The need is especially great for older children, sibling groups and medically fragile youth.
To help those children find forever homes, create awareness of the need, and raise funds, Lutheran Adoption Services (LAS) launched the Forever Home Run in 2015.
Fortunately, this year the Sixth Annual Forever Home Run will not be deterred by the pandemic. It will be virtual and will start Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 a.m. and end on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11:59 p.m. The run will include self-guided running options with an online leader board and a picture gallery of participants.
Each participant will also receive a racing packet with a t-shirt and medal to commemorate the event. It is open to any runner or person in Michigan with a soft spot for kids without homes. Participants can register for a $30 fee here.
“Unmatched children in our care are experiencing a lot of anxiety during this time of quarantine,” says Rachel Sykes, executive director, Lutheran Adoption Services. “Without the care of identified caregivers or parents to make them feel safe, these kids are experiencing depression due to the unusual circumstances they’re in right now. We’re doing our best to provide resources that will help relieve some of this stress.”
Children awaiting adoption are fun. creative and full of energy. To get to know a few of them please click here.
Unsurprisingly, the current pandemic has only increased the need for funds in a time when charitable dollars are tight.
This event’s continuation is incredibly important. Proceeds from the race will directly benefit children awaiting a forever family and families who adopted a child through LAS. In 2019, the Forever Home Run raised nearly $45,000.
The money raised will increase awareness for adoption-from-foster care facilitated by LAS, a collaboration between Samaritas and Wellspring Lutheran Services, which both provide foster care.
The dollars will also help fund some of the many services offered through LAS, including adoptive parent support group sessions, behavioral health services, trauma training, fees for student camps and sports teams and dollars for minor home repair projects to help adoptive parents meet licensing regulations. In the year of an unprecedented pandemic, the need for funds is greater than ever.
“This year has been a tough one for everybody, but even more so for kids who need a forever home,” says Sykes. “With in-person meet and greet events severely reduced because of the pandemic, we have a lot more children waiting for a permanent home. Community partners and funding will help us get more kids in front of people who want to adopt a child.”
The Sixth Annual Forever Home Run is presented by The KSG Group at Morgan Stanley.
The race will begin on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 a.m. and will end on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11:59 p.m. Participants can register for a $30 fee here.
3,000 kids in Michigan need forever homes and it’s a race find them added by M Lapham on
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