Día del Niño Campaign encourages Hispanics to Adopt Children in Foster Care.

“Why don’t you adopt me?” asked the little girl. “I get along with your daughter and you look like a good mother.” Working at her children’s school cafeteria, Maria Cardenas was surprised at what she was being asked by her daughter’s friend. After consulting with her husband and her three biological children, Cardenas decided to become a foster parent so she could bring the little girl into her home. “When we were ready to adopt her, she was gone,” said Cardenas. The little girl who had requested Cardenas to consider adoption from foster care had been moved to another foster family and another school. The Cardenas family ended up adopting four children out of foster care; however, to this day she wonders what ever became of her daughter’s little friend.

The Cardenas family is part of a “Día del Niño” campaign that aims to shed light on the number of children in foster care, especially Hispanic children waiting to be adopted. Launched by the Advertising Council, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families and the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids the month-long campaign seeks to encourage the Hispanic community to come forward to adopt a child from foster care. Individuals wanting information on how to become an adoptive parent are encouraged to call 1-877-ADOPTE1 (1-877-236-7831); or to visit www.adopte1.org.

“On Día del Niño, the day we celebrate all children, I wanted to share how adoption has changed our lives,” said Maria Cardenas. “It has been a blessing for my family and I encourage other families to consider adopting a child who is currently in foster care.” The Cardenas family now shares their love and home with their adopted children Kaily, Bianka, Maggie, and Gilbert. They are a loving example of how open arms and open hearts give foster children a stable, loving home.

The majority of children awaiting adoption are children of color; 20% are Hispanic. According to the Administration for Children and Families’ Children’s Bureau, approximately 300,000 children in the United States enter the foster care system each year. About 26,000 children “age out” of foster care at the age of 18, yet they are unprepared to face the challenges of adulthood without the foundation and support only a family can give.

“The Día del Niño effort will help shed light on the large number of Hispanic foster children awaiting permanent homes,” says Carmen Hernandez, AdoptUsKids representative. “We hope more families will be inspired to call for more information on how they can become parents of children in the foster care system.”

For more information on being a foster parent and/or adoptive parent, please visit www.adopte1.org, or call 1-877-ADOPTE1 (1-877-236-7831) (Spanish) or www.adoptuskids.org (English).