Adoption Means... Annual Report 2014 Annual

A Lifetime of Love Center Board of Directors Ken Mullner, Executive Director Officers Michael F. Rifkin, CFP, CRCP President Morgan Stanley

Melissa Codkind Initiatives Events Vice President

Bruce D. Davis, Jr. Vice President Niska Gas Storage

Andrew P. March Vice President Accenture

Seth Goldblum Treasurer CMF Associates

Patricia Daly Secretary

Bryce E. Graham Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Chair, Nominating

E. Mady Prowler Chair, Programs Temple University

Clarence D. Armbrister George T. Magnatta, Esq. Girard College Saul Ewing LLP

Phil Barnett Elizabeth Mell PECO Energy Company Mell Consulting LLC

Bob Bechtold Mike Morgan RPB Consulting Joyce M. Mosely Sheri DeMarino Wendphil, LLC Christian Noyes Penn Capital Management Allan B. Frank The Hackett Group Michael D. Soileau Comcast Angela D. Giampolo , Esq. Giampolo Law Group Andrew Wiest AC Lordi Consulting Ernestine Harris GlaxoSmithKline Dr. Chuck Williams Lincoln University Joanne Jackson Wawa, Inc. Kelly Wolfington Kelly Wolfington Associates William R. Levy Brown Brothers Harriman Kurt C. Wulfekuhler Peter Advisers LLP Susan Casey Lowry, LEED AP Jones Lang LaSalle

- 2 - Greetings from the President and Executive Director

Dear Friends,

We are so excited to share terrific news about the Center’s expanding influence as a national leader in adoption.

Our vision of spreading child-waiting features across the country has become a reality. The feature—which we’re calling “Wednesday’s Child USA”-- began in the first city— San Francisco—in early 2015 and the second one will debut in Baltimore in early June. As many of you know, the Center has been so pleased with the success rate of Wednesday’s Child Philadel- phia that, with the blessing of our Board of Directors, we began the complicated process of moving it to cit- ies where significant numbers of children are waiting to be adopted.

The introduction of these features comes as a result of extensive research and planning by the Center, nu- merous conferences with adoption agency administrators in the targeted cities, training social workers about how to select, prepare and interview children and negotiating with television stations to interest them in carrying the features.

The Center’s goal is to add three cities each year, bringing recruitment opportunities to hundreds of children now in foster care who want to have permanent families.

At the same time, the Center, for the first time in more than a dozen years, will be participating as a sub-con- tractor in a federal grant, working with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. The project— NJ-CARES-- calls for intensive recruitment for specific children—those who have been waiting the longest in the child welfare system for a permanent family. Goals are to learn what the barriers to permanency are; to reduce the amount of time the children wait to be adopted; to reduce the number of older adolescents who age out of care without an adoptive family, and, finally, to create a model for successful intensive recruitment.

And now, turn to the back page of this Annual Report. There you’ll see children ranging in age from eight to fifteen.You’ll be struck, as we are, by their smiling faces that tell us, no matter their age or circumstances, how much they want to belong to a family. These are the images that are frozen into our minds as we continue to find innovative ways to create families for the many children who count on us. With your help, we will give them the “lifetime of love” they deserve.

Michael F. Rifkin Ken Mullner President Executive Director

- 3 - The Missionof the Adoption Center is to expand adoption opportunities for children living in foster care throughout the United States and to be a resource to families and to agencies who seek the permanency of caring homes for children.

The children served by the Center are not the healthy infants usually associated with adoption. Most are school-aged; many have physical, emotional and/or mental challenges. Others are siblings who need to be adopted together. Nearly half the children—from toddlers to teenagers—are from minority cultures. Now living in foster care—in individual or group homes—the children need what all children need…the love and security that only a permanent family can provide. The Center works to find those families. Services of the Adoption Center Public Awareness and Recruitment Media

The media market is changing rapidly with social media playing a more prominent role in disseminating the Center’s message to prospective adoptive parents, to donors and to adoption professionals. The Center communicates to these audiences through blogs which often show how adoption has touched people’s lives, how events are planned and the reasons for supporting certain adoption policies; through Facebook postings which frequently publicize traditional media features and events, and through tweets which highlight adoption facts and spread the word about the Center’s work and plans.

At the same time, the Center maintains its strong presence in traditional media—newspa- pers (three in New Jersey and two in Philadel- phia), magazines, television and radio. In the Delaware Valley, where more than 1600 children wait to be adopted, the Center continues to have an unprecedented presence in media—a weekly column in both the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Tribune; Wednesday’s Child, a feature which runs several times a week on Larry Kane, KYW Newsradio, Vai Sikahema, NBC 10, and and children awaiting adoption NBC10 and every Wednesday on KYW (CBS) child waiting for a home Newsradio, and a monthly feature on a radio station in the Susquehanna Valley. Stories and photographs about the Center’s leadership and special events appear in the news frequently. The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story about a boy, 17, who had lived in seven foster homes be- fore he was adopted, through the Center’s efforts. The Center told the Inquirer reporter, “These kids—especially those who are older—don’t ask for the newest video game or smartphone. They ask for basics—a mom to talk to about their homework, a dad to play ball. To go on a vacation. They want what other kids have.”

- 4 - Matching Events

Each year the Center orchestrates several adoption events where prospective adoptive parents can meet and mingle with children waiting for families.

Some events focus on older youth; others include children of all ages. The success rate is significant.

SWAN Older Youth Match Parties

For the sixth consecutive year, the Center received funding from the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) to host match parties for Pennsylvania teens. In FY 14 the Center hosted two parties, one in Philadelphia, the other in Pittsburgh. Forty-two teens and 25 families attended with potential matches for 63% of the youth.

New Jersey Match Parties

Four match parties for New Jersey youth were held between July 2013 and June 2014. Thirty-three youth and 40 families attended the events, funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is making a difference for thousands of children—one child at a time. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption awards grants to public and private adoption agencies to hire adoption professionals who implement proactive, child-focused recruitment programs targeted exclusively on moving America’s longest-waiting children from foster care into adoptive families. The Center has two recruiters assigned to a caseload of Delaware and New Jersey children. In FY 14, two children from the program were adopted.

- 5 - Philadelphia Program

The Wednesday’s Child Philadelphia program, sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption continues to be a success. Forty-five new waiting child features and two success stories aired on NBC10 with a total of 1838 inquiries. This program has a 61% success rate.

Connecting...

The Center hosts online services that engage the community and spread the word about waiting children.

AdoptSpeak, the Center’s online community where professionals, potential adopters, judges, legislators, birth parents, adoptees and others with an interest in adoption share information and communicate with each other. The Center’s blogs, published three times a week, give the Center a human face; they have featured children, described adoption events, reviewed books and movies, and explored why those interested in adopting should consider the children in foster care as well as infants or children from other countries.

AdoptMatch is a site where adoption agencies profile themselves, and potential adopters are matched with those agencies that seem most appropriate. The adopters are also able to rate their experience with the agencies in terms of friendliness and customer service. Monthly webinars are held to introduce more agencies to the project.

AdoptLearn, features the Center’s online course, Foster Family to Forever Family, which allows those interested in adopting to receive appropriate training in the comfort of their own homes at their own pace. It is especially valuable to those who are already fostering a child and are exploring adoption.

Waking Up to a Smile

Louis and Jocelyn started their adoption journey with the intention of adopting an infant or young child. However, after four years, they decided to consider older children. Their adoption agency told them about Mykal and when they learned he had been featured on NBC10’s Wednesday’s Child they watched the segment more than 100 times! “It was like seeing the child we learned about on paper come to life,” Jocelyn said. The couple knew that he would be their son.

Visits were difficult because they lived in DC and he was in Delaware, but the journey each weekend was worth it, they said. One of the first questions Mykal asked when he visited them was whether he could change his name when he was adopted. At finalization, he decided to take the name Jordan.

Now, 11 years old, Jordan is doing well in school and is taking Arabic as his foreign language. He attended the School of Rock summer camp and is improving his drumming. The family enjoys spending time together and loves to travel.They have already been to Hawaii, St. Thomas, North and South Carolina and New York City.

“This more than I dreamed of,” Jordan says. “The best part of having a family is waking up to a smile from them every day.”

- 6 - How Children Found Families Information and Referral

During FY 14, 50 children in the Delaware Valley 3800 families throughout the United States and found permanent homes because of the Center’s 1482 from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware recruitment and matching efforts. inquired about and received current information about adoption. • 14 children who recently attended the Center match parties now have homes. 2111 additional families expressed interest in • 36 children were adopted through NBC10’s children from match parties, from AdoptUSKids, and KYW’s Wednesday’s Child and other the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, Wednesday’s media recruitment. Child, newspaper articles, radio and television.

Children Finding Permanent Homes in FY 14 Ages of Children Race/Ethnicity

40 Bi-racial, African- 35 8.0% American, 64.0% 30 Caucasian, 25 16.0%

20 Number of Children 15

10 Hispanic, 12.0% 5

0 19-21 years old 11-18 years old 6-10 years old 0-5 years old

Outreach to the LGBT Community

Did you know that numerous studies, including those of the American Psychiatric Association, reveal that children raised by gay or lesbian parents grow up as well adjusted—sometimes even better-adjusted—than those growing up in a home with heterosexual parents?

Our experience over 42 years confirms our conviction that families from the LGBT community are inter- ested in adoption and raise their children with love, guidance and sound values. That’s why the Center’s outreach to the LGBT community has grown stronger over the years.

Its Adoption Cafes bring information and a welcoming message to those LGBT individuals who are consid- ering adoption, and offer panel discussions to companies and businesses through their diversity groups.

- 7 - Financial Statement for the National Adoption Center

- 8 -

Financial Statement for the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley

- 9 - Special Fundraising Events 2013 Golf Classic

The Center’s Golf Classic was a great success, attracting 100 golfers and

raising nearly $60,000 to help find families for children living in foster

care. The fun-filled day at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club featured a

luncheon, $10,000 putting contest, a chance to win a Mercedes with a

hole-in-one, an open bar and an awards dinner and live auction.

Title Sponsor Wendy’s team at the Golf Classic

The National Adoption Center’s 2014 Gala Celebration of Family

The 2014 Celebration of Family was held at Philadelphia’s Crystal

Tea Room. The night featured a circus theme with entertainment

from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Guests enjoyed the

interactive entertainment, delicious food stations and live and

silent auctions featuring exciting items including sports tickets

and vacations. Jay and Bridget Devine, longtime supporters of

the organization, were honored as NAC’s 2014 Adoption Hall of

Fame inductees. The event raised $150,000! Adoption Hall of Fame honorees Jay and Bridget Devine with their children J. P. and Meg

Next year’s gala is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 at the

Ballroom at the Ben.

- 10 - Individual Donors (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014)

Alan & Janet Abel Gary Devito Patrice Guiney Frances Longstreth Tim Abell Vikram Dewan Sue Hamilton Rich & Rachel Macha Christopher Acker Paul & Mary Donohue Jeffery Hammond Frank Mack Clarence & Denise Armbrister Eileen Donovan Terrie Hardin Anthony Maginnis Anthony Augustine Peter Dooner Louise A. Havens George Magnatta Sharene Azimi David & Gail Dorman Carol Henkle Daniel Maldonado Jeff Bagly Michael Dungan Gregory Hess Emily Mannion John Barnes Robert Dutton Stanley & Gloria Hochman John & Regina Mapes Phil Barnett Timmy Dysinger Joe Hoffmeier Marcia Markin Eric Bartholomew Joel Edelstein Rich Holman Brian McAllister Bob & Susan Bechtold Ernest & Myra Eskin John & Graceann Hoopes Rosemary McAllister Gary Bechtold Lynn Evans James & Deborah Huber Dennis McAndrews Ann & Mark Biada Robert & Susan Fahey Hsiao-Ling Hung William McBride James Black William Fant Bobby Rose & Maryanne James Meade Stephen Blommer Lynne Farrington Ismael Tom Meehan Gretchen Bond Anthony Favoroso Joanne & Ivan Jackson Guy & Kathryn Mercer Kaye Braun John Ferry Carolyn Johnson Lou Meyer Shannon Breuer Ronald & Jean Forbes Sean Johnston Ken Miley Ellen & Albert Brown Thaddeus Fortin Lou Kahn Miller Family Ingrid Brown Craig Fox Sylvia & Randle Kauders Martin Millison Thomas C. Browning Robert Fox Kathleen Kelly Anthony D. Mirenda Robert Bucco Don & Jacquel Francis Regan Kelly Kimberly & Thomas Moon Thomas & Sue Burt Allan & Carol Frank J.J. Kerr Laura Moore James Carroll Marc Franzoni Lee S. Kersey Joyce Mosley Richard Chives Donna French Ann Kerstetter Mullen Family Debora Lee Clower Kate Galletly Sheldon & Joan Kinbar Ken Mullner Melissa & Mitchell Codkind Judith Garfinkel Del & Georgette Kinney Maureen Murphy Mark & Megan Connolly Hope Gay Joshua Klein Kevin Murphy Carl Cooper Mike Geissman Gary Knock Nancy Newman Brian Crowe Jean E. Gendron Jill Knudsen R. Barrett Noone Dan Cuneo Elly Gerhardt Jason Kotecki Daniel O’Donnell Robert & Patricia Currey Stuart Goldblum Sheila Labrecque Kelly O’Leary Pat Daly Jenny & Peter Goldkamp Lance & Stephanie Lahr Joyce Oliver Bruce & Sue Davis Donald Goldkamp Dan Lannon Thomas Overholt Brian Decesaer Marie Goldkamp Victor Lattore Janis Page Richard Decesaer Michael Goldkamp Brian & Amanda Lauzon John & Sue Parks Carl Dellmuth Cynthia & Neil Goldstein Iris Levine Anthony Pascal Sheri DeMarino Peter & Laurie Burrows Grad Bill Levy Patrick Paul Michael Devine Bryce Graham Frank B. Lewandowski Nelson Peltz Dave & Ann Devine Steve Grandizio Gabrielle Lipkin Michael Peters Michael & Cathy Devine Colleen Guiney & Gerard Paul & Conny Lockwood Mark Pickard Ann Devine Murray Michael Lombardi Justin Pint

- 11 - Individual Donors continued)

Ken Poletti Steven & Mary Schmitz Valerie Stanley Gail & Steve Wampler Maury Povich & Connie Chung Maria Schreder Celeste Stellabott Chris Wasson Ana Prosceno Sam Scott Brody Stevens Gregory Webster E. Mady Prowler Angela Scott Mike Strand Claire & Norman Weiner John Purnell Frank & Kathleen John Stratton Aimee Weise Bridget Rahr Seidman Henry Sumner Coakley & Antonia White Michele & Mathew Reber Elliott Seif Donald Sutton Rich Wilkinson Ruth Reed Mark W. Shaw Bill Swahl Donald Williams Todd Reimert Stephen Shepard Patricia Thomas Samuel Wojnilower Kelly Resinger Brian Sime Ted Topakas Kelly & Richard Wolfington Mike Rifkin Hugh & Catherine Smith Chris Vanni Lynn Wolfington Anthony Romeo Mary Smith Mike & Stacy Varallo Kurt Wulfekuhler Marcia and Ron Rubin Roy Snare Wayne Vaughn Bruce Young Christopher Ruggiero Michael D. Soileau Marina Vogel Richard Young Joe Ruggiero David & Lisa Somelofske Mike Vogel Joseph Zito Edward Ryan Gerald & Joni Spivack Brett Wallace Anthony Zortea John Ryan Claudia Springer Lauren Wampler Thomas Zug

Donors of Goods or Services (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014)

6abc Hagley Museum and Library Philadelphia Rock Gym Adrienne Imburgia HBO Sports Philadelphia Soul Adventure Aquarium Harlen Globetrotters Philadelphia Wings Andrew March Heaven and Earth Salon QVC Aquatic and Fitness Center Holt’s Cigar Company, Inc. Radice Bikram Yoga Hotel Monaco Rebecca Marcus Bob Bechtold Hyatt Regency Philadelphia Sesame Place Bruce and Suzanne Davis Initiatives Events Sonesta Philadelphia CBS3 Joanne and Ivan Jackson Temple Owls Club Chadds ford Winery Jon & Christine Robbins The Borgata Chanticleer Gardens KYW Newsradio 1060 The Chamber Orchestra Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Laurel Hill Cemetery of Philadelphia Coca-Cola Lilly Pulitzer The Four Seasons Coco Key Water Resort Longwood Gardens The Inn at Penn Comcast Spectator Lori Falcon The Prime Rib Cooke and Berlinger Lucky Strike Tyler Arboretum Crowne Plaza Cherry Hill Maury Povich Wake Up Yoga Crowne Plaza West Philadelphia Melissa Codkind Walnut Street Theatre Currie Hair Skin Nails MLB Player’s Trust Westin Philadelphia Danny Garcia National Mechanics Whipped Bakery Delaware Theatre Company NBC10 Whitemarsh Valley Country Club Devon Seafood Grill Nick Puios Photography Wilma Theater Discovery Museum Palace Skating Wilmington Blue Rocks Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport People’s Light and Theatre Company Yangming Field House Sports Bar Philadelphia Convention and Yeung Choi Cho Frank Lewandowski Visitors Bureau Zhung Wai-Jian

- 12 - Playful and humorous, Adrianna, Mia, 12, enjoys swimming and going 8, delights in exploring her creative to amusement parks and beaches. side. She loves to dance and dreams of Brandon, 14, likes to stay busy. Very Animals are very special to her and dancing on Broadway some day. Very athletic, he plays baseball, bowls and she hopes to work or volunteer at an flexible, she adjusts well to change and partcipates in the Special Olympics animal shelter. She loves soccer and looks forward to new challenges. each year. He would thrive in an active aspires to play professionally. forever family that would support his many interests and hobbies

Benson, 9, likes trying new things. He loves playing with matchbox cars Jonathan, 15, is personable, charm- and proudly shows off his racing track, Elvis, 15, is passionate about fishing, ing and very polite. Dancing and play- which he builds into different shapes. his favorite way to relax. He also enjoys ing football are his favorite pastimes. Other favorite acitivities include bas- watching comedy movies, listening to He hopes to become a paleontologist ketball, soccer and video games. heavy metal music and spending time or a member of a professional football with animals. He hope to become a team in the future. fisherman or a veterinarian.

- 13 - Foundation and Corporation Donors (July 1, 2013- June 30, 2014)

AgileCat Highmark Inc. Plymouth Square Associates Allstate Giving Campaign IBM Employee Services Center PVR Partners Amoroso’s Baking Company Independence Blue Cross Rittenhouse Foundation Boeing Employees’ Good Neighbor Fund Initiatives, Inc. Rittenhouse Square Flower Association BP Environmental Services, Inc. J.J. White Incorporated Robert J. Kratz & Company Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Jacob’s Ladder Salah Foundation Caroline J Sanders Charitable Trust Josam Company Saul Ewing LLP CBIZ, Inc. Just Give Schwab Charitable Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Keystone Industries Second Chance Foundation Comcast Corporation Kreischer Miller Self Reflection Coach Connelly Foundation Laffey-McHugh Foundation Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Cozen O’Connor LaRosa & Associates, LLC Joseph K. Skilling Trust CSR Inc. Lawrence Saunders Fund Springfield Country Club Delaware Community Foundation Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, Inc. Stradley Ronan Stevens & Young LLP Devine and Partners M, LLC The Haverford Trust Company Dilworth Paxon LLP Margaret G Jacobs Charitable Trust The George W. Rentschler Foundation Evolve IP, LLC McAllister Towing The Joe Hand Charitable Fund Exelon Generation McKernan, McKernan & Godino The Philadelphia Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Merck Foundation The Seybert Foundation FirstGiving Morgan Stanley The William and Diana Romney Gray Firstrustbank Morison Cogen LLP Family Foundation Fourjay Foundation National Penn Bank Thomas Skelton Harrison Foundation Franklin Square Holdings LP Neumann University United Way of the Greater Triangle Giampolo Law Group PECO Energy Union Packaging, LLC Give With Liberty Donations Pepper Hamilton LLP Wawa, Inc. Global Packaging, Inc. Perna Frederick LLC Wells Fargo Foundation GPX Plymouth Office Properties, LP. Philadelphia Convention & Vistors Bureau Wendy’s of Philadelphia Advertising Greater Philadelphia Chamber Philadelphia Eagles Co-op, Inc. of Commerce Philadelphia Zoo

State and Municipal Contracts

Municipal:

- 14 - “A Perfect Match”

“I never thought it would happen. I never had faith that I would be adopt- ed,” Jasmine said. But that was before the 16-year-old met Lisa and Chris.

The couple first met Jasmine at the home of Lisa’s mother, who was a foster parent to the teenager. One day while at her mother’s home, Lisa overheard Jasmine’s adoption worker telling her about the many ways of recruitment that would help her find a forever family. That evening Lisa spoke to her husband about the possibility of adopting Jasmine. Lisa was sure they would be a perfect match because she had seen Jasmine on NBC10’s Wednesday’s Child where she talked about the kind of family she wanted.

When Lisa and Chris told Jasmine they wanted to adopt her, she was so happy that she immediately began calling the couple mom and dad. Now the three are a family and they enjoy doing things together. “We laugh and joke all the time,” Jasmine says. “It makes me happy.” In the 10th grade, she is doing very well and has many friends. She is a member of her school’s chorus, and also is a Girl Scout.

Jasmine now has faith that good things can happen and dreams can come true.

“It Was Love at First Sight”

Marquise was featured on NBC10’s Wednesday’s Child in 2010, when he was eight years old. At that time he was interested in becoming a police officer so he was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the NJ State Police Museum. He and Wednesday’s Child host Vai Sikahema were given a tour of the facility and also watched a simulated crime scene showing how detectives solved the crime. Later, Marquise shared with Vai his desire to have a permanent family with loving parents and a place to call home.

Three years later, Matthew and Sheena who were looking for a child to adopt turned to NBC10 to aid in their search. They found Marquise’s feature and immediately decided to pursue him. “We knew what we were looking for.” Sheena said. “We wanted an older child. When we saw Marquise on the web- site, we started training to become foster-to-adopt parents. When we met Marquise, it was love at first sight. We liked his smile and his attitude.”

Marquise also instantly felt connected to the couple and the adoption was finalized a year later. Sheena says he is very polite, helps with the household chores, opens doors for her and brings in the groceries. Matthew and Marquise share many of the same interests, including sports and video games. Marquise is thrilled that his wish for a permanent family has been realized.

Matthew and Sheena plan to open their home to adoption again in the near future.

- 15 - Just a few...

Angel, 14 Tyrek, 13 Parrish, 13 Jasmine, 17 Ryan, 14

Kiya, 11 Daequan, 11 and Quason, 13 Israel, 9

Kevin, 14 Jhanviey, 15 Jade, 11 Eric, 8 Natasha, 13 ...of the 1,600 children in foster care in the Delaware Valley waiting for permanent homes

1500 Walnut Street, Suite 701 • Philadelphia, PA 19102 215/735/9988 • Fax 215/735/9410 www.adopt.org • [email protected]