It is quite apropos that November, a month we associate with giving thanks and counting our blessings, is also designated as National Adoption Month. Since we receivied our first child in 2006, Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara has welcomed 117 additional children into our family and 73 local families have opened their hearts and homes to these vulnerable little ones. Surrounded with care and concern, some children have stayed with their Angels families a limited time, benefiting from the stability and nurturance they received. Others have found their forever family through Angels.

While not an adoption agency, through the process of fostering and bringing children and families together, Angels has seen 49 children be adopted by their Angels family and another 15 are currently in the adoption process. From these experiences, there is much thanks to give. We are thankful that all 118 little ones have been touched by the care and love of their Angels family. We are thankful for the families who have chosen to take this journey of parenting and fostering with us. We are thankful for the community's support of Angels, Angels families and Angels children.

And, above all, as our families recount time and time again, they and we, are truly the fortunate ones. Angels families and staff are very thankful for the children who have entered our lives and hearts, teaching us so much about commitment, joy, and love.

We wish you and yours a truly wonderful Thanksgiving.

Best wishes,

Jennifer

November is National Adoption Month

1. There are no orphans in the United States.

2.  It's easier and faster to adopt internationally than from U.S. foster care.
3. You have to have a lot of money and own a house to adopt from foster care.
4. You can only adopt a child who is the same race and ethnicity as you.
5. All children in foster care have special needs and require special education.
6. You're not allowed to adopt children you foster.
7. You can't adopt a neighbor's child or one you know personally or professionally.
8. If you're the relative of a child in foster care, they won't place them with you because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the State's eyes.
9. Only married couples with a stay-at-home parent can adopt children from foster care.
10. Each child has to have a room of their own.
11. You can't adopt if you're in the military.
12. You have to be of child-bearing age to adopt.
13. Adopting or fostering a child who's been removed from the care of their birth parents is dangerous.
14. Sibling relationships don't matter.
15. You can't adopt a child or sibling group from another State.
16. You have to be perfect to adopt a child from foster care.
17. A birth parent or another relative can take an adopted child back.

Learn the answers to these adoption myths by clicking here - and visiting the Adopt US Kids web site for a wealth of information about adoption through foster care.

2012 Angels Holiday Gatherings