Codi's Story

Over the last few weeks, we've asked Iowa families who have adopted from foster care to send us some of their stories and reflections on what foster care adoption means to them.

We're excited to share those with you this November for National Adoption Month! Here's a terrific one to kick off our series, written by an Iowa eighth-grader who was adopted from foster care last month.

Codi's Story

"Hi, I'm Codi. I've actually had plenty of families. The day I was born, I was sent to my first foster home. About a month passed in my life before I was sent to live with one of my favorite aunts ever until I was around 4 years old and then my dad came and got me. Fast-forward through a lot more placements, now I'm in 8th grade, and I've been adopted by an amazing family whom I've come to love: Kary and Tom, Mom and Dad. Kary's always making me laugh when she talks about my relationships that really she knows nothing about; Tom's quiet and likes to read. He's very calm and usually makes jokes that I laugh at because they're so dumb :). Then there are my brothers: Avery (8), Seth (14), and Will (16). I'd say I get along with Seth the most. Through many experiences, I've become who I am today and honestly I wouldn't change a thing. I couldn't ask for anything more ..."

Codi may have an amazing adoptive family, but we're pretty sure he's an amazing kid, too. Thanks for sharing Codi!

Check out more National Adoption Month celebration events happening this week!

November is National Adoption Month!

Today we kick off November's National Adoption Month, a month-long celebration of creating permanency and positive outcomes in the lives of children.

We're incredibly thankful for the many families and individuals in Iowa who have made a difference in the lives of Iowa kids through foster care and adoption. 

These are the families who take midnight phone calls for emergency placements.

These are the parents who adopt sibling groups of three, four or even five children so they can stay together.

These are the grandparents and aunts and uncles who step forward to provide kinship care when a child they love needs a home.

These are the families who adopt teens, so they can have a home forever, especially during the critical transition to young adulthood.

These are the countless caseworkers and professionals who work together to make sure every child has the stability of a safe and loving home and the guidance of a caring adult.

On behalf of Iowa KidsNet, we are lucky to know people like you. Thank you for all you do for Iowa's kids.

P.S. Stay tuned to our blog for family stories that we'll be sharing all month long! You can also check out upcoming events for November here.
  

A picture says a thousand words . . .

Check out a couple photos from Saturday's National Heart Gallery Exhibit event! 

Love the huge smiles!

Katy and Kevin Laurin, an Iowa foster family; Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Kelli Malone, Iowa KidsNet project director, pose with the National Foster Care Month proclamation.

Christina Fernandez-Morrow of Iowa KidsNet gets the kickoff started!

Larger than Life

We're excited to debut the National Heart Gallery Exhibit in Iowa this week!

This traveling photography exhibit features 50 larger-than-life portraits of children from across the country who waiting to be adopted from foster care and who represent nearly all 50 states. After premiering in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill last November, it has traveled to New York, the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, California and now on to Iowa for May's National Foster Care Month!


When you're a child or teen, it can be hard to wait for anything. It can be hard to wait for recess. It can be hard to wait for your birthday. It can be hard to wait to get your driver's license or to be asked to prom.

Imagine what it's like to wait for a family.

There are over 408,000 children in foster care in the U.S., and about 107,000 are waiting to be adopted into a forever family. How fitting this exhibit premiers on a weekend when we celebrate the importance of mothers, the importance of family, in a child's life.

These may be larger-than-life portraits, but the truth is that these kids don't need larger-than-life families. They just need ordinary, everyday people who are willing to open their homes and hearts to provide the caring guidance and support that every child deserves in his or her life.

Check out the National Heart Gallery Exhibit at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines from May 9 - 15 and at the Sioux City Public Museum from May 17 - May 30.

Take a peek behind the scenes at the set-up this week!

May is National Foster Care Month!

May is National Foster Care Month!

There are over 408,000 children in foster care in the U.S., and each one deserves a permanent connection to a safe, supportive and caring adult. Thanks to Iowa's resource families who open up their hearts and homes to help make this happen!

We'll have lots of events going on during May to help raise awareness of Iowa's ongoing need for foster and adoptive parents, including the kickoff of welcoming the National Heart Gallery Exhibit to Iowa. 

This is an amazing traveling photography exhibit that features larger-than-life portraits of 50 children from across the country who are waiting to be adopted from foster care. First premiering on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., last November, the National Heart Gallery Exhibit celebrates the 10th anniversary of the first state Heart Gallery. 

We're very excited to bring this compelling exhibit to Iowa! You can check it out on May 9 - 15 at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines or May 17 - 30 at the Sioux City Public Museum.

You're also invited to join us for a special kickoff event on Saturday, May 12, at 1 p.m. at Valley West Mall where Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a foster care and adoption advocate, will help us welcome this national exhibit to Iowa.

Stay tuned to our website throughout May and June for some special foster care and adoption appreciation events for families!