MARN Introduction

Overview

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Our Mission – In their words…

I think it would be great to have a mom & a dad but I’m open to having a single parent too. I miss my sister so it would be nice to have a sibling or two. I suppose I could adjust to being spoiled as an only child!

Bottom line: I need what everyone else does. I need a family who will love me, not give up on me, & accept me, even with the challenges that face me.

Brett, 13

I really want a family with a mom & a dad & I am open to older siblings. I live in a rural setting right now & I like the feeling of a small town. A family that also lives in a rural area would be a great fit for me! Most of all, I am looking for a family that likes to hang out together, celebrates holidays together & sticks together, no matter what.

What I am looking for in a family is a mom & a dad or a single mom. I also would love to have a mom that would like to do girly things (like shopping) with me. While all of this is very important, I also want a family that is active & has a lot of fun! I would like parents that are patient, forgiving, kind & loving. I have been waiting for a long time but am very hopeful that the right family is out there for me.

Brittney, 15 Joe, 15

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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.

On any given day, 650 Minnesota children and teens wait for a family.

We’re launching a Zero Kids Waiting Campaign to reduce the number of waiting children to

ZERO.

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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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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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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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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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ZeroKidsWaiting

To many, zero means nothing.

When it comes to children waiting for parents, we believe that ZERO means everything!