Everything You Need to Know About Summer Miracles
By Sophia Han
Our Summer Miracles kids have arrived, and the summer is off to a great start. We’ve gone bowling, had tie-dye days, soccer games, and so much more! So, if you are interested in our Summer Miracles program but don’t know where to start, this articles for you. Here you will find a complete overview of the program. Consider this your “Summer Miracles cheat sheet”!
What Is Summer Miracles and How Does It Work?
Our Summer Miracles program began in 1999, and every summer since, we’ve brought older orphans (ages 9-15) who have little to no hope of being adopted in their own country because of their age, to stay with American host families for 5 weeks. This is not only a great chance for them to experience American culture, but also to find forever families in America.
Since 1999, more than 1,800 children have participated in the program. 4 out of 5 kids who take part find adoptive families on their first visit. This summer we have brought 41 amazing kids from Colombia to find their forever families.
Learn About Hosting
Who should consider hosting?
If you have ever considered international adoption or if you have a passion for helping kids find a forever family, then Summer Miracles hosting is for you!
For those considering adoption, this program is a good chance to spend time with a child, build an organic connection, and determine if adoption is right for you. If the host child and host family develop a connection and want to move forward with adoption, then the host family is given the priority for the adoption.
Regardless of whether or not a host adopts, their primary role during the summer is to act as the child’s champion, introducing them to their local community in hopes of finding an adoptive family. Some of the ways to champion the child include posting on social media, attending Kidsave’s Meet The Kids events, and sharing their stories with friends and families.
What are the requirements to become a host?
- Location
- Families with the intent of international adoption can host a child in their home anywhere in the US.
- Families who would like to host to help a child find an adoptive family can only host in one of our Kidsave communities (Chicago, DC Metro, Minnesota, SoCal, Tri-State/MA).
- Hosts must be at least 25 years of age and no more than 45 years older than the child they are hosting.
- Hosts can be married couples, a single woman or a single man.
- Hosts must complete a federal background check and attend an orientation and online training to ensure they are ready and able to care for their host child.
What are the steps to become a host?
- Sign up for an online webinar. This is an orientation to introduce you to Kidsave and the program.
- Make the application payment ($275, non-refundable).
- Complete the application. Link will be emailed after the application payment is made.
- Make a host payment.
- $2,525 in total
- Half ($1,262.5) will be due after your application has been reviewed and approved, the remaining balance will be due upon being matched with a child.
- Why do I have to pay a host payment? The host payment covers the child’s travel expenses, travel insurance, and health insurance for their stay. If you are not matched with a child, you will be refunded.
- Work with a local Kidsave Agency Partner to complete a psychosocial home visit, fingerprinting/background check and child abuse clearances.
- Agency costs vary by agency and state. Please contact the agency partner in your area.
- If our partner agencies do not have an office in your area, Kidsave will work with our agency partners to find an agency for you to work with locally.
- Complete a minimum of 10 hours of agency-required training and Kidsave’s Program and Advocacy Training (in your community).
- Prepare for the child’s arrival and host!
What are you expected to do during the hosting period?
- Involve the children in day to day family living in a safe and nurturing environment.
- Attend our weekend events that bring all host families, children, and chaperones together.
- Participate in two support sessions while the children are here.
- Take a minimum of one week off work.
- Be a champion for their host child(ren) to help them find a family.
Other Ways to Participate in the Program
Meet the kids by becoming a Kidsave Visiting Family.
As a Visiting Family you can interact with the kids and their host families outside the Kidsave events on a one-on-one basis. Our #1 priority is safety and the emotional and physical well-being of the children. We require prospective adoptive families interested in spending time with the kids to go through a screening and training process which pre-screens them for adoption requirements in Colombia.
- Learning more about the program.
Download and read the Visiting Family Packet. Required before spending one-on-one time with the kids and their hosts and hearing their story.
Attend the Visiting Family Orientation Webinar. - Complete the Visiting Family Application.
- Meet the kids at an Event.
- Contact the Coordinator to set up visits.
Volunteers are needed to participate in the planning committee that coordinates each local program. Volunteer opportunities include fundraising, host family recruitment, communication/outreach, activity/event planning, host family support, escort coordination, hospitality, etc.
Start a Kidsave Community.
We train and provide materials to adoption agencies, church leaders and foreign governments. If you are a citizen interested in community service, we would love to talk with you about creating a Summer Miracles community in your area. All it takes to start is three families and a small group of caring adults, or a congregation, willing to work to help the kids find families. Email Lauren Richer-Gordon (lauren@kidsave.org) to get started.
Learn About This Year’s Summer Miracles
This year’s Summer Miracles communities include California, New York, New Jersey, DC, Georgia, Wisconsin, Florida, Virginia, Minnesota, Indiana, Washington, and Montana!
Our goal is for all 41 kids to find forever families!
They will be staying with host families until August 12th. If you want to visit them at a weekend event or become a volunteer, now it’s the time to get started! See the section above to learn how to participate.
Follow us on social media, and bookmark this page for all the Summer Miracles News, where we will keep you updated on all the kids’ adventures and their steps towards finding a forever family.
Still Have Questions?
Go to our Summer Miracles page for more detailed information.
Or communicate with us by filling out an inquiry form, booking a phone call, or sending an email to summermiracles@kidsave.org.
We are thankful for your interest in our program, and we look forward to talking to you!
