November is National Adoption Month

Every child has the right to live in a loving, safe and permanent family.

National Adoption Day and National Adoption month is national and collective effort created to raise awareness of the 129,000 children living in foster care in the US.

For me it is also a time to think about children throughout the world, living without the stability and permanency of a loving family. Children in foster care, orphanages, or living on the street, living without hope, love and safety.

UNICEF estimates that approximately 143 million children around the world live as orphans.

143 million, that number is staggering to me. It just seems daunting. Something I think about daily. I think of those other little faces back in the orphanages in Kirov and Murmansk and just wish I could bring them all home with me.

It just seems so overwhelming, A problem too difficult to figure out the answer to, so easier to just make pretend it doesn't exist?

Thankfully there are organizations out there who choose not to ignore this great need and they work daily to make a difference.

Adoption, while it is an amazing and life changing journey is not for everyone. But, No matter what way your child comes into your family to me it is miracle and a gift and one that should never be taken for granted. Adoption is not easy and it is not for the faint of heart. But the rewards and joy you experience are like nothing you have ever felt before. If you ever hear someone say, "just adopt" you know that person has no idea what they are talking about! If only it were so simple. It takes time and effort, both emotionally, financially and logistically.

So if you feel you can open your heart and home to a child who needs you, then I say go for it!! if not, that is ok to, there are other ways you can help!!

These organizations I will mention below can always use your help in other ways. So take the time to explore the websites, request information or give a donation. No matter what you decide to do, big or small, it will make a difference!

Joint Council for International Children's Services

http://jcics.org

Please check out their information for the Families for Orphans Act of 2009 (H.R. 3070)

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3070:

Sign the Petition!

Please also check out their movement

Be the Answer!

http://www.jcics.org/bta%20about%201.htm

The Dave Thomas Foundation

http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/

Please check out their website on all the ways you can get involved to help promote adoptions of the more then 129,000 children living in foster care in the US.

Adopt US Kids

http://www.adoptuskids.org/

Filled with resource information, advocacy and photolistings of children waiting for the forever families!

Rainbow Kids

http://www.rainbowkids.com/

Information on US foster adoptions, International Adoptions, articles, waiting children, advocacy. It is all here, lots to check out and learn!

National Council For Adoption

http://www.adoptioncouncil.org/about/about_intro.html

Champion of adoption advocacy, policy, initiatives and reform.

Act of Kindness

http://www.actofkindness.blogspot.com/

Blog of an amazing couple who took a leap of faith and took things into their own hands and have made an amazing difference!

Please take note of their current challenge: Pie to the Face for kids. If this looks like fun for you, please donate and choose my friend, Melanie!!

Thank you for the taking the time to explore these sites and hopefully finding something that fits you!

If you dont have the time but still would like to make a donation, get in touch with me, I can let you know about some projects going on with our agency and the foundation. After all if it were not for them, Alek and Maks would not be here!

When you hug and kiss your child tonight think of all those children who won't get a hug and kiss and a bedtime story. Anything you do or give, no matter how small or big, makes a difference. Make a difference in the life of a child.

Thanks to all of you who make a difference in the lives of my children. We know that without our family and friends we would not be the Harkins, Party of Four!