Urgent Need for American Adoptions of Foster Children

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

multi ethnic grade school kids.jpeg

The need for American adoptions of foster children is tremendous. In 2016, there were approximately 437,465 children in the U.S. foster care system. Of the over 400,000 children in the system, 23% or 100,617 children were adopted. The numbers are staggering. The year 2016 is the most recent data set available to review from the federal government. The need to adopt foster children in Arizona is also great. In fiscal year 2018, there were almost 14,000 in Arizona and just over 4,000 adoptions of foster children took place in the same year.

Arizona Child Adoption Processes

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, the number of foster children leaving the foster care system to be adopted as opposed to being reunited with family is on the rise. For children who have been neglected and/or abused, reunification with family is not possible if the biological families are unable/unwilling to make the necessary changes for their children to be safe at home with their families. At the state level, the Arizona child adoption process stresses reunification with the biological family as the first priority. If it is deemed not safe for the child to return home after substantial effort/resources are employed to help the family, the Arizona Juvenile Court System legally severs the parental rights, and the foster children become available for adoption. For information on the Arizona child adoption processes, go HERE.

Adopt Foster Children Arizona

Building Arizona Families can help interested Arizona families to adopt a foster child from any state in the U.S. The Arizona child adoption process is less expensive than private adoption, and adoption of children whose parental rights are already severed can move along quickly, as the government recognizes the fact that children fare much better in families than in state care. For information on adoption fees and costs, go HERE.

Building Arizona Families Walks with Arizona Families for American Adoptions of Foster Children

Building Arizona Families helps Arizona families adopt foster children through our Forever Families U.S. Adoption Program. We walk with families through the Arizona child adoption process and American adoptions from any state in the nation. Whether the desire is to adopt foster children in Arizona or from around the country, Building Arizona Families has the experience and expertise to help.

As a licensed, non-profit adoption agency, we have been serving prospective adoptive families since 2004. You can read more about Building Arizona Families Forever Families U.S. Adoption Program HERE.  Please feel free to reach out to Ixcel Baca, program manager, to get more specifics about American adoptions of foster children. Please contact Ixcel Baca at 623-696-9537 or by e-mail HERE.

Sources: https://www.childwelfare.gov, https://dcs.az.gov/

Adopt Foster Children in Arizona!

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

adopt children in Arizona

Adopt foster children in Arizona! There are currently over 13,000 children who have been the victims of neglect and/or abuse currently in the Arizona foster care system. This number has remained fairly constant throughout 2018. The other number that remains fairly constant is the number of Arizona children who have had their parental rights severed as a result of their parents not making the necessary changes in behavior and lifestyle needed to keep their children safe and care for their basic needs. The number at any one time is over 3,000 children who can no longer return to their parents and are now, for all practical purposes, orphans living in Arizona.

What about the other children in the Arizona foster care system? They are in kept in state care, either in foster families or group homes, while their parents are given numerous opportunities and a tremendous amount of support to help them change their behavior in order to be reunited with their children. Many people ask about the foster to adopt AZ children process. We have observed that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about how the guidelines to adopt foster children in Arizona work. Many people believe that there is a requirement to foster to adopt AZ children.  In other words, they believe families must first become foster parents prior in order to become eligible to adopt foster children in Arizona.

It is Not Necessary to Foster to Adopt AZ Children

The good news is that there is a path to direct adoption of Arizona foster children. Families do not have to go through the foster care certification program. If a person meets the criteria to adopt foster children in Arizona, they can move forward to adopt one or more of the over 3,000 children available for adoption at any one time in the Arizona foster care system

Arizona Families Can Adopt Foster Children in Arizona and in Other States

Through the Forever Families program at Building Arizona Families, Arizona families can choose to adopt Arizona foster children or to adopt children from around the United States whose parental rights have been severed. Ixcel Baca, Program Manager for the Forever Families program, can answer any questions about how to adopt foster children in Arizona or foster children around the United States.

Thank you for considering opening your heart and home to the adoption of foster children. We would love for you to call Ixcel Baca at (623) 696-9537, or e-mail her HERE. She would be happy to set up a private meeting and answer any questions you have or personally take you through the online seminar. You can also find more information about the types of adoption, the child adoption process, and adoption costs on our website HERE.

We Are Their Future Chooses Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers as the Home for the Holidays Business Hero

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

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We Are Their Future Announces Our Home for the Holiday Hero!

Lowe's Home Improvement Stores are We Are Their Future holiday hero


We Are Their Future is pleased to announce that Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores has been chosen as our Holiday Hero in the business category!

Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores has stepped up in a BIG way to partner with We Are Their Future to help Arizona’s foster children have a fabulous holiday season! From sponsoring our Home for the Holidays kick off event with over 500 foster children, to donating thousands of dollars of Christmas lights/decor for group home children to participate in the Home for the Holidays light display at Winter WonderFest, we couldn’t have asked for a more caring business partnership. Enjoy the video from our kick off event at the Lucas Oil Dragboat Races World Finals. Please be sure to show Lowe’s some holiday shopping love, as they are demonstrating their commitment to Arizona’s most vulnerable children.

You can be a hero for Arizona’s vulnerable foster children.  Find out how you can change a foster child’s future at www.wearetheirfuture.org

God Gave Me the Perfect Adoptive Family

God Gave Me the Perfect Adoptive Family

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

Anthony’s Adoptive Family Gave Him Hope & Future

Anthony was adopted at birth. He came home to his adoptive family at three weeks old. He is now a talented young man and extremely accomplished musician. Anthony tells us he is looking forward to a career in music. He believes his accomplishments are because God knew exactly the right family to put him in. When asked, Anthony says he has always known he was adopted. Because of his dad and mom, Anthony is so grateful for his family and the future they have given him.  We Are Their Future interviewed Anthony this past week and he shares a bit of his story.

Anthony Was “Plan A” for His Family

Anthony’s mom works at Building Arizona Families. She is the program manager for the Domestic Adoption program. Becky believes that adoption was her family’s Plan “A”, God’s perfect plan to build their family. She and her husband Steve say that their two adopted sons are just “their boys”. They couldn’t imagine loving them any more than do they now.

Anthony is one of thousands of children who have been given hope and a future through an adoptive family opening their hearts and homes.  Right now there are still thousands of Arizona foster children hoping and praying that someone will want to love them and give them a forever family.

Everyone can do something. 

Can you adopt an Arizona foster child?  Click HERE for more information about adoption. 

If you can’t, please help We Are Their Future find more families who can. 

It costs $25 to find a family that is interested in adoption. 

$50 helps us find two children families.  Can you help? 

Please be as generous as you can!  CLICK  to give.

Thank you for changing the future for Arizona’s most vulnerable foster children.

Arizona Helping Hands Partners with 12-year old in Tuba City!

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

foster children dreaming about college

A heart-warming story and a press release that deserves publishing word for word!  We Are Their Future celebrates Chance Peterson, a twelve year old, as an everyday hero. changing other children’s lives.  Chance is partnering with Arizona Helping Hands to help Arizona foster children on the Navajo Nation reservation.   This is worth the read, and reprint!  And share!

Twelve year old boy partners with ARIZONA HELPING HANDS to help kids in Tuba City!

(Scottsdale, AZ) — 12 year old Chance Peterson has spent much of his youth in and out of Phoenix Children’s Hospital (“PCH”). Despite his young age, he has seen the needs of other children and has made the commitment to do what he can Arizona Helping Hands logoto make lives better for needy youth. On Saturday September 9th, Chance will partner with Arizona Helping Hands (“AHH”) to take truckloads of supplies and basic needs to assist children in foster care in Tuba City, Arizona.

Chance met a young girl at PCH who was a member of the Navajo Nation and in their foster care system. Through this contact he met Elsie Elthie, a caseworker from Tuba City and learned of the huge need for support for kids in northeastern Arizona. There are currently approximately 500 children in foster care spread over the reservation’s 27,000 square miles. Elsie’s caseload averages 65 children and spans 5,549 square miles in North Coconino County. Many of her families do not have running water or electricity, and their needs are extensive.

Chance decided he wanted to help Elsie, her families and other children on the reservation. Using his youthful initiative, he connected with local schools through which he collected unclaimed lost and found items. He has solicited other community support and gathered cases of water, plus toiletries, feminine hygiene products and more. On social media he connected with Dan Shufelt, President and CEO of AHH. Hearing of Chance’s dream to help the children on the reservation, Dan offered the use of the AHH box truck and much more. Arizona Helping Hands will be adding to Chance’s efforts by providing beds and cribs to children on the reservation. Backpacks filled with school supplies, diapers, toys, lunch bags, personal care items and other needs will also be loaded onto the AHH truck for the 4 hour drive to make a difference for so many boys and girls.

“Arizona Helping Hands is so proud to partner with a wonderful young man who is teaching us all the importance of caring for kids” says Dan Shufelt. “This effort will have a huge impact on needy children of the Navajo Nation.” Donations of feminine hygiene products, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, bar soap, baby care items, snacks, juices, granola bars and more are being solicited for this effort. Monetary donations are also welcome at www.azhelpinghands.org.

EVENT INFORMATION:

  • 9/8/17 at 10AM – Truck loading at Arizona Helping Hands, 7850 E Gelding Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
  • 9/9/17 at 5AM – Caravan to leave AHH for travel to Tuba City, AZ
  • 9/9/17 – 10AM to Noon MDT – Unloading at Louise Yellowman Park, North Main St, Tuba City, AZ

Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of basic needs to Arizona’s kids in foster care. For more information visit www.azhelpinghands.org.

Everyone can do something, and Chance Peterson is a powerful example of that!

What is True Religion? A Radio Interview with Vickie Isaac, Founder of We Are Their Future

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

Arizona foster child

I’ve been to Africa, I’ve served in orphanages, and held children languishing with AIDS.  It’s a life altering experience.   I wrestled with coming back to the U.S., knowing how desperate the children are in Africa.  Then I learned about the heartbreaking realities of child abuse and neglect in America.  In a recent radio interview with Tom Brown’s on FaithTalk 1360, I shared  some of what I have learned.

I learned that in Arizona alone, a child is abused every TWO minutes.  And that there are almost 17,000 foster children in just the Arizona state foster care system.  Of the almost 17,000 children, about two-thirds of them will eventually have their parental rights severed.  There are over 3,000 foster children RIGHT NOW who are ORPHANS in Arizona alone – right here in our own backyard.  And as much as I love oversees missions work, I can no longer ignore the fact that we have a mandate to care for these vulnerable children.  As a matter of fact, the Bible describes true religion as taking care of orphans in distress – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” James 1:27.  Believe me, these children are in distress!

Because of this overwhelming need, I founded We Are Their Future.  It is a citizen’s initiative to  meet the urgent needs of foster children who have been horribly neglected and abused. It’s why I am advocating for foster children, and why I believe everyone can and should do something to help them.

Please take a few moments to listen to the interview.  Here is the link:  https://soundcloud.com/koinonia-radio/vickie-isaac-foster-care

I firmly believe that once everyday people like you and I find out about how many foster and adoptive children there are, they will step up and help.  These children have been horrifically neglected and abused.  They need to be safe, loved, and grow up in forever families.  Everyone can do something to help – foster, adopt, volunteer, and donate.  It costs We Are Their Future only $25 to find a family interested in fostering or adopting.  Compare that to the cost to care for a child in a group home – about $4,000 per month!  Can you spare $25?  If so, CLICK HERE to help find a forever family for an orphaned foster child.

I urge you to look at the ways of getting involved, and embrace the challenge to be a part of changing the future for these children.  We cannot sit idly by and believe  government can parent these children.  It takes homes, families… it takes US.  CLICK HERE to look at ways YOU can change a vulnerable foster child’s future.  Thank you, and please share this information – because if EVERYONE DOES SOMETHING, we can change the future for foster children.

Standing to change children’s future,

Vickie Isaac, M.Ed.

Founder/CEO, We Are Their Future

Vickie Isaac, CEO of We Are Their Future Interview on Valley Focus Radio

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

We Are Their Future Founder Vickie Isaac

We Are Their Future founder and President/CEO Vickie Isaac was interviewed on Valley Focus this past Sunday. Valley Focus,  a Sunday morning feature of Hubbard Broadcasting  on five radio stations in the Phoenix metro area. Conversation focused on the urgent needs for Arizona foster children.  Every day Arizonans were encouraged to get involved in helping the almost 17,000 vulnerable children in Arizona’s state foster care system.

Host Valerie More graciously invited Vickie and Ixcel Baca, Program Coordinator for Building Arizona Families to join her on air.   Valerie told her audience that helping Arizona’s foster children is the greatest need she has highlighted in her years of hosting  Valley Focus.  Arizona Helping Hands, Inc​ was highlighted as a wonderful way Arizonans help foster children.

Heartbreaking facts about Arizona foster children were discussed.   There are almost 3,000 vulnerable children who live in group homes with other Arizona foster children.   Over 5,000 abused or neglected children entered foster care in the past six months reporting period.  There are thousands of Arizona foster children whose parental rights have been severed, leaving them orphaned.  When children are removed from their homes, their meager belongings are hastily thrown into a garbage bag.  These are just a few of the heartbreaking facts.  There are many more…

We Are Their Future encourages everyone to do something – foster, adopt, volunteer, or donate.  We cannot sit idly by, assuming that government should be raising these children.  These vulnerable Arizona foster children need to know they are safe, loved, have a family to belong to, and a future they can hope for.  Please take some time to listen to the interview.   Please choose a way to help Arizona’s foster children.   Everyone can do something!

Arizona Foster Children’s Everyday Hero – Meet Dan Shufelt of Arizona Helping Hands

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

Arizona’s foster children are better off because of Dan Shufelt, CEO of Arizona Helping Hands. Everyday heroes are people like you and I, who find a way to use their gifts and talents to help people in need.

Dan Shufelt faithfully serves Arizona’s foster children and families day in and day out, changing the quality of their lives.   From diapers and formula to cribs, mattresses,  children’s clothing, toys for foster children’s birthdays, and even fire extinguishers and smoke detectors – Dan oversees the process of helping Arizona’s foster families meet the needs of the vulnerable foster children that come into their care.  You can find out more about Dan Shufelt and the vital work of Arizona Helping Hands at www.arizonahelpinghands.org.

In the meantime, be sure to tell him thank you for his tireless work to change Arizona foster children and their families lives!

And remember, everyone can do something to help – foster, adopt, volunteer, and donate.  Find out how YOU can be an everyday hero for Arizona’s vulnerable foster children at www.wearetheirfuture.org/waystohelp

Arizona Foster Children Need YOUR Help Celebrating Their Birthdays

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

Arizona foster children and their families need YOUR help.

Please make birthday wishes for Arizona’s foster children come true! This is a practical need that truly reminds these children that they are loved and not forgotten. It also helps support the foster families who are sacrificially loving these precious, vulnerable children. Remember, #EveryoneCanDoSomething!

Here is what Arizona Helping Hands needs:

Arizona Helping Hands has provided BIRTHDAY DREAMS packages to 800+ kids already in 2017. The volume of requests is hard to keep up with!  They greatly need of items for kids who are celebrating their 1st, 2nd and 8th through 12th birthdays.

If you, a church group, club, school, company or other can help by holding a collection drive, please go to the We Are Their Future Ways to Help page and sign up for more info here: www.wearetheirfuture.org/waystohelp  At the bottom of the page you will find information about Arizona Helping Hands and a place to enter your info. We will connect you so that you can make a difference for the thousands of Arizona’s foster children who need to know we care.

Raiden’s Story – The Missing Piece

Posted on by Victoria Isaac

WE ARE THEIR FUTURE – The Children Need Us Now.

 Progress Report #2  //  July 2017

Raiden Was The Missing Puzzle Piece of His Forever Family

Dear Friend,

Jessica was adopted at birth.  Her adopted mother told Jessica that she was born of her heart, not of her womb.  Jessica always knew she would adopt children who needed someone to love them.  When she found out she couldn’t have her own children, Jessica and Chris immediately began the adoption process.  That’s when they found Raiden, and welcomed him into their forever family as their missing piece.

 

Watch Rayden’s foster to adoption love story in

“The Missing Piece” video, Part 1 in the     

“Love Stories, The Journey from Foster to Forever” Series

There are thousands of Arizona children still waiting, hoping that they will become part of someone’s forever family.  It’s why we can’t stop – until there are no forgotten Arizona children who have no one to belong to and no place to call home.

I am so pleased to report great news to you – PLEASE keep reading about how foster children’s lives are being changed!

Continue Reading…

IN JUST 13 WEEKS,

160 FAMILIES HAVE SAID YES…

WE WANT TO ADOPT

A FOSTER CHILD!

=> Our average cost to find a potential adoptive family is $25.00 per lead.

PLEASE HELP US

FIND MORE FAMILIES! 

YOUR MOST GENEROUS TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT 

TODAY WILL CHANGE

FOSTER CHILDREN’S LIVES FOREVER.

IN JUST 13 WEEKS, 30 FAMILIES SAID, “YES – I’M INTERESTED

IN FOSTERING!”

=> These leads came in without ANY digital marketing.  They are a result of our live events, social media, and the effectiveness of our webite.  With YOUR financial help, we can do even MORE.

We urgently need funds to educate the public about the tremendous need for foster homes. 

        

For example, from April-Sept. 2016, the Arizona Department of Child Safety terminated 34 group home licenses, including seven for “child maltreatment,” 4 for neglect, and 13 over failed fingerprint-clearance cards.

EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO GROW UP

IN A SAFE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT,

NOT IN A GROUP HOME WITH

OTHER TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN. 

PLEASE HELP FUND OUTREACH TO FIND FOSTER FAMILIES FOR ARIZONA’S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN. 

THE CHILDREN NEED US NOW!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

69 People said YES to volunteering! 

We immediately connected them with non-profits whose greatest need is volunteers to help get the work done!  Do you have a church or employee group that wants volunteer opportunities?  Can you spend some time helping to meet foster children’s practical needs? Everyone can do something to help!

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Watch Rayden’s foster to adoption story in

“The Missing Piece” video, Part 1 in the

“Love Stories, The Journey from Foster to Forever” Series

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  $25.00 HELPS US FIND ONE ADOPTIVE FAMILY. 

YOUR MOST GENEROUS TAX DEDUCTIBLE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION WILL HELP CHILDREN LIKE RAIDEN FIND A LOVING, FOREVER FAMILY.

CLICK to say YES, I’ll help find forever families for Arizona’s foster children.

Endorsements for the We Are Their Future

Dan Shufelt, CEO of Arizona Helping Hands – “We are the largest provider of basic need to kids in foster care in Arizona. We are proud to be a member of We Are Their Future. We believe it’s so important to work together to #StandUp and #makeadifference for the 17,000+ kids in Arizona’s foster system. By spreading the word and collaborating, we can all play a part in making lives better.

In the first six months of 2017 Arizona Helping Hands has provided. 1,350 beds and cribs, clothing, diapers and more to help boys and girls in foster care. Help us do more. Visit www.azhelpinghands.org today!

Angie Penrose – Co-Founder/Director of Building Arizona Families, Arizona’s largest non-profit adoption agency said, “We began to work with We Are Their Future a little over two months ago to promote adoption of foster children. The results have been impressive. They have an incredible knowledge of marketing that meets the unique needs of a non-profit organization. We have been provided numerous opportunities to connect with potential adoptive families through events and leads provided to us. Each contact represents the possibility of finding an adoptive home for a child in need!

We are thrilled, after 13 years of being in operation, to have finally found an organization to help us reach our goals of placing as many children as possible. Their commitment to our needs and the needs of the children is motivating and inspiring.”

We Are Their Future
Phone: 602.403.7575  //  E-mail: [email protected]                    Connect with us!
Website: www.wearetheirfuture.org