South Dakota Kids Belong dramatically improves the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care. Throughout November, National Adoption Awareness Month, we focus our attention on kids in foster care who need permanent, adoptive families.
Our I Belong Project™ uplifts the stories and voices of kids in foster care who are legally free for adoption. The pop-up photo and video shoots take place at least six times a year as part of an entire day designed for youth to have fun, play and just be kids. Every child’s story is treated with dignity and respect with the goal to connect each child with a family.
Between 2018 and 2022 SDKB, in partnership with The Department of Social Services, has filmed nearly 150 children and helped connect more than 60 percent of those kids with their forever families.
Here Are 4 Ways You Can Help
Support Kids In Foster Care
Inspiring Journeys: South Dakota’s Former Foster Youth Share Their Stories of Belonging
The Importance of Belonging
Top 10 Social Wounds Experienced By Kids Who Age Out Of Foster Care
More than 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year across our country.. Too often these young people are often without support, love and stability of a place to belong. Kids who age out of foster care experience an exponentially increased of homelessness, unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse, PTSD and other harmful outcomes. Even if you aren’t called to adopt, you can help improve the experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care.