Adopted teen finds success

By Staff Writer

November is Adoption Awareness Month and the Adoptive Families Association of British Columbia (AFABC) have released some facts about adoption. The Vancouver Observer reports that only 10 to 15 percent of BC's 1,000 children who are registered for adoption are babies. Approximately 20 percent are sibling groups and 30 percent are teens.

Research shows that teens who are discharged from care at 19 years old without finding permanent families are significantly less likely to finish high school and go on to post-secondary education. Also, these teens are at significantly higher risk of unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse, homelessness and criminal involvement.

According to the news source, April, a 19-year-old who has lived in foster care for seven years, was matched with an adoptive family through AFABC's Wendy's Wonderful Kids program three years ago.

April's life has changed dramatically, as she is now in her second year of college to become a social worker.