November is National Adoption Month — a special time to celebrate families that have grown through adoption and raise awareness of the thousands of children in foster care across the United States and Canada who are waiting for someone to step forward to adopt them. Youth like Merriah, w
Texas — At age 6, Kenya was placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect. After lingering in care for nine long years, she worried she would never have a permanent family. “At one point, they said that I was going to max out in foster care, and I didn’t want that,” shared
Toronto, Canada — At just 2 months old, Rhianna was placed in foster care due to neglect. She spent 15 years of her life waiting for a permanent family, feeling terrified for the future. “I didn’t feel like anybody would want me,” shared Rhianna. “I never really celebrated my birthday because inste
During the 2023 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® Summit, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recognized Andrea, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter with Raise the Future in Utah, as a Recruiter of the Year. Andrea is a passionate, diligent professional who has a special ability to connect with the childre
Michael has been a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® adoption professional at the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services since 2018. Among his peers, Michael is known for his positive attitude and unique ability to build lasting connections with the young people he serves. The Dave Thomas Found
New York — Merriah was placed in foster care when she was 6 years old after enduring abuse and neglect. For nine long years, she moved between multiple foster homes and her mother’s home. As the years went by, Merriah lost hope that she would ever have a permanent family. “I didn’t thin
Mike Welch OBE is President and CEO of Tirebuyer.com. He recently spoke with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption about his experience growing up in foster care and his path to success in his professional and personal life. Mike Welch OBE, President and CEO of Tirebuyer.com Growing up in foster c
Growing up in Nova Scotia, Karen remembers vividly the day she discovered what she wanted to do when she grew up. She was 13 years old when she went to Wendy’s® for chili and a Frosty® and read about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada on the food tray liner. Karen with her 2021 Wendy
During the 2023 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® Summit, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recognized Anna, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter from Orchard’s Children Services in Michigan, as a Recruiter of the Year. Anna is an advocate and a source of hope for the children she serves. Pictured:
According to the 2022 U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Attitudes Survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 64% of American adults surveyed say that their employer’s assistance with adoption expenses impacts their decision to adopt. And 68% say paid leave
