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Adoption Alternatives
Multiple Ways to "Parent" a Family
By Sue Marquette Poremba
If foster parenting is too much of a challenge or you are concerned that the background checks and home visits are too intrusive, there are other ways to reach out to build a meaningful relationship with a child who needs a positive parental figure. "There are a number of ways to get involved," says Carrie Cornwall, director of marketing and public relations at Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children. "You can volunteer with a child depending on what your interest is."
Many of the children Cornwall sees need a positive adult role model. "They need someone to talk to them about life and see them through their successes and take them on outings," she says.
Organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters allow adults to mentor and "hang out" with children one-on-one on a regular basis. Other opportunities include volunteering at schools, being a coach for sports teams or a leader for Scouts. Anyone who works with children is likely to be subjected to some sort of background check, but mentoring checks are not as invasive as those for foster care or adoption. As an added bonus, if you have an inkling you might like to adopt down the road, volunteering and mentoring give you the chance to experience being with children who need you, Cornwall says.
