If you have time, compassion, and a good heart — there’s an opportunity for you to make a difference.
You can become a mentor, a foster parent, or an adoptive parent for an older child in foster care. Each role offers a unique way to show up, build trust, and help a young person feel seen and supported.
And yes — this opportunity is for everyone.
- Yes, single fathers can mentor, foster, or adopt. Men can be powerful role models, especially for teenage boys who need consistent, caring guidance.
- Yes, members of the LGBTQ+ community can mentor, foster, or adopt. Love, stability, and acceptance know no limits.
- Yes, adults over 65 can mentor, foster, or adopt, depending on the program. Your wisdom, patience, and life experience can change a child’s life.
Children need caring people from all walks of life — every background, every story — to provide connection and stability for kids who deserve to belong.
Some quick facts about older kids in foster care:
As of 2019, 30% of children in foster care self-identified as LGBTQ+, while American adults estimated it to be nearly half that at 17%.
Adoptions have been declining since 2019.
3% of adults interested in adoption say they want to adopt a teenager.
343,077 are in foster care as of 2023.
Mentor to Make a Difference
Each path has its own level of commitment:
- Mentoring is the most flexible way to begin — a few hours a month can make a world of difference.
- Fostering offers a deeper level of care and consistency for a child who needs a temporary home.
- Adoption is the most permanent and transformative commitment, giving a child the security of a forever family.
General Eligibility Requirements
Requirements vary by state and program, but here’s a general idea of what’s needed:
To be a Mentor:
- Be at least 18, 21, or 25 years old (depending on the program)
- Complete background checks and fingerprinting
- Participate in a home study, orientation, and required training
To be a Foster Parent:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete background checks and fingerprinting
- Attend orientation and training sessions
- Meet basic income requirements
To be an Adoptive Parent:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide a safe, clean home and a place for the child to sleep
- Attend orientation and required training
For details specific to your state, visit fosteruskids.org.
How Kidsave Can Help
At Kidsave, we create pathways for people like you to connect with kids in foster care who need lasting relationships. Our Weekend Miracles program makes it easy to get started — you can mentor, host, or even move toward adoption, all while receiving guidance and support along the way.
Take the first step with Weekend Miracles in Los Angeles, Houston or Virginia!
Because when one caring adult shows up for a child — it can change everything.
