FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shonya Anderson, MSW
The Up Center, Inc.
(757) 622-7017 x212

THE ADOPTION JOURNEY
An Interactive Exhibit Highlighting Youths’ Journey through Adoption

Norfolk, VA, November 1, 2012 — In Virginia,approximately 5,300 children live in some type of foster caresetting. Many have spent most of their lives in this "temporary" situation, and have moved within the child welfare system more times than they care to remember. Many will never return to their birth families. Approximately 1,500 youth in Virginia are legally free for adoption.

These are very real children who desperately need families of their own. Because the public is so often unaware of these youth and their needs, we would like to highlight waiting children during National Adoption Awareness Month through “The Adoption Journey” in the hope that we can unite many of these young people with permanent, adoptive parents.

“The Adoption Journey” exhibit will be held at Pembroke Mall’s center court on Sunday, November 18 from noon to 4p.m. Guests will select a profile card of a child in foster care, receive a “Lifebook” and follow the child through their adoption journey as they visit various interactive stations to learn about the reasons the child entered foster care, the adoption process, adoption resources and ultimately the child’s fate. Each station provides answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption process and opportunities for guests to add “mementos” to their Lifebook. At the last station, visitors will learn about the current status of their child—some children will have been adopted and some will have aged out of foster care, while others are still available for adoption. Guests can pay tribute to each of the 1,500 children in Virginia awaiting adoption by placing a sticker (1 sticker represents 1 child/1,500 stickers total) on a large map of Virginia. An art station will allow youth the opportunity to color or draw what adoption means to them. Virginia Heart Gallery photos of children waiting for adoption will be displayed. This event is free and open to the public.

“The Adoption Journey” is sponsored in part by a grant from Virginia Department of Social Services and coordinated by the following local adoption agencies—Bethany Christian Services, Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, United Methodist Family Services, and The Up Center.

About The Up Center
The Up Center, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., is a regional non-profit social services agency dedicated to helping people live better lives. Since its founding in 1883, the agency has responded to the needs of our community’s most vulnerable citizens by providing comprehensive, effective and innovative services in four core areas: Protecting our children, Strengthening families, Empowering people in crisis and Maximizing independence for those with disabilities. The Up Center has seven locations throughout Hampton Roads and serves over 10,000 people each year. For more information, visit or call 757-622-7017.

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