SERIVCE LEARNING PRESENTATION

The Dave Thomas

Foundation for

Adoption

Melissa Smith
Overview

THE DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION

NO CHILD SHOULD LINGER IN FOSTER CARE, OR LEAVE THE

SYSTEM, WITHOUT A PERMANENT FAMILY.

SERVES CHILDREN 0 TO 21 YEARS OF AGE.

CHILDREN SPEND ABOUT 2 YEARS IN THE SYSTEM, WITH 5%

OF CHILDREN SPENDING 5 OR MORE YEARS IN THE SYSTEM.
Why?

OVER 500,000 CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

ONLY PUBLIC NONPROFIT IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS

FOCUSED ON ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE
 STORYTELLING
In relation to children's biographies on
agency sites.

Marketing DIGITAL MARKETING

Social media campaigns, sponsored events, and

Skillset other online advertisements.

WEBSITE DESIGN & SEO

Make the site easier to navigate, while enhancing the
user's experience.
 Mission & Vision

Mission Statement:
"The mission of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is to bring hope and love to children
in North America's foster care systems by connecting them with their forever families."
Not too long
Organization specific
Heart felt and professional
Communicates the purpose of the organization

Vision Statement:
"The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is dedicated to raising awareness for the children in
the foster care system, with the hope of increasing the number of adoptions and building
healthy, loving families."
Good length
Organization specific
Communicates the efforts of the organization to reach their goal(s)
 Recommendations

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

According to UNICEF, there are "at least 2.7 million children" living in "institutional care." It it my
recommendation that the foundation expand their foundation to include international foster care systems,
instead of limiting it to North America.

CHILDREN AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE

There are 20,000 to 24,000 children that age out of the system every year. Young adults, 18 to 21 years old,
that age out of the foster care system face homelessness, unemployment and criminal conviction. The
foundation may be able to assist these children by:
Offering programs or classes with the goal of helping them secure a job, and
developing housing or apartment complexes specifcally for this group.
Ethical Dilemmas

COMPENSATION
Monetary
Perks or Benefits

PUBLICATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY

What do donations go towards?
Are reports accurate and candor?

FINANCIAL INTEGRITY, INVESTMENTS & FUNDING

Ensure that values align
Works to further the mission of the organization
 FAIR

RESPECTFUL

TRANSPARENT
Characteristics
VALUE - DRIVEN
of a Good
COMPASSIONATE
Ethical Leader
NON-DISCRIMINATORY

HONEST / TRUSTWORTHY
Thank you!