Our 2022 Summer Miracles program came to a close this month with hugs, well wishes, and tears at airports across the U.S. It has been a life-changing summer for the kids and families alike, with meaningful connections made, experiences shared, and memories created.

As champions for the kids, our host families introduced the fantastic, talented Summer Miracles kids to their local communities helping to spread the word of their need to find loving, supporting adoptive families. For many of our families, the idea of hosting was a way to change the outlook for kids that are often forgotten—older kids who desperately need family. And for many families, it was a way to connect with a child and explore international adoption.

The summer has been life-changing for the kids and their host families. As summer days rolled on, the kids enjoyed what being family is all about. Many kids experienced firsts in life, from the first trip to a beach, the first water balloon fight, the first hike in a National Park, and even a first trip to a dentist!

And, of course, our host families had the support of the Kidsave community behind them. Each weekend, fun Connection Events took place across the country, helping introduce the kids to the wider community and prospective adoptive families. Not only was it a great chance to meet the kids in a relaxed, fun environment, but it also allowed for bonds to form naturally. And the kids loved catching up with other kids in the program and sharing stories.

Our Southern California community met regularly in parks throughout Orange County and Los Angeles, enjoying Nerf games, water relays, arts & crafts, and other fun activities. One favorite activity was bubble soccer, where the kids and families donned giant “bubble suits” and played soccer on an open field.

Elsewhere in DC, Chicago, and New York, our Kidsave community kept spirits up with craft activities, games in local parks, beach parties, and scrapbooking.

One of our community event highlights was seeing Summer Miracles kids from years past, now all grown up, return to help a new generation of kids find families. For Duvan Allen, a 2012 Summer Miracles kid, it was a chance to give back to Kidsave and be a spark of hope for the kids and families. “It means a whole lot to be able to contribute to a cause that helped me at one point. Being able to communicate with the kids, see their smiles, and help them find their adoptive parents, means a lot to me,” said Duvan. “In 2012, maybe I wasn’t aware of it, but that’s what people were doing for me. And it changed my life. I’m happy I can contribute even a tiny bit to that.”

As the kids prepared to return to Colombia while their host families prepared for difficult goodbyes, all were thankful for the chance to connect and share in each other’s lives. After spending a blissful summer getting to know these sweet, rambunctious kids, the end of Summer Miracles can be a little tough for everyone.

At the start of each summer program, everyone has their idea of what the next five weeks will entail. By the end, the kids remind everyone that not everything in life can be so perfectly planned. It’s up to us as individuals to learn to “go with the flow” and face life as it comes.

Our Summer Miracles program is the best chance for many of these kids to find forever families. Many of their host families are now in the process of going through the adoption process and can’t wait to be reunited with the kids. This is why our program works. Each summer, many of the kids who take part in Summer Miracles end up finding their forever family through the program. Each teary goodbye reminds us why our work at Kidsave is vital. These kids, like all kids, deserve a loving and stable home with parents who cherish them. And we won’t stop championing them for the amazing kids they are.

Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program gives older kids in orphanages (ages 11-14) overseas a chance at a family. With little likelihood of adoption in their own countries, our Summer Miracles kids travel to the U.S. for a memorable three-week stay in December or a five-week stay over the summer.

Let's talk about hosting this winter! The deadline to apply is September 14th. Book a call with Madeline TODAY.