Charity, Events, Iowa, North America, Public Sector, USA

Thousands of Children Across America Are Waiting for a Permanent, Safe Family. An Iowa Nonprofit Wants the Nation to Pay Attention.

15 August 2026

Image credit: Logo by Iowans for Adoption / Image provided courtesy The National Center for Adoption

Editorial Brief

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Iowans for Adoption is urging national attention on the thousands of children in foster care waiting for permanent families, highlighting their plight at the From Hope to Home Gala on September 17, 2026, in Ames, Iowa. The event aims to educate and advocate for foster care and adoption, featuring speakers like Ruth Eley, who has adopted 18 children from foster care. The Gala seeks to generate support for recruiting and supporting foster and adoptive families, assisting with adoption expenses, and educating communities about foster care and adoption.

EDITORIAL INSIGHT: Context, industry insight and market perspectives of this news story

Efforts to address the long wait many children face in the US foster care system continue to draw attention from advocacy groups and communities alike. While the number of children awaiting permanent families is a persistent national issue, the latest initiative from Iowans for Adoption highlights the practical steps that local organisations and individuals can take to make a difference, even as the challenge remains widespread and complex.

For businesses, families and community groups, events like the From Hope to Home Gala serve as a reminder that engagement and support for foster care and adoption are not limited by geography. The event aims to channel awareness into tangible action, providing resources and support to those navigating the foster and adoption process, and encouraging wider community participation in addressing a longstanding social need.

Story Ideas

Regional impact

The Nationwide Adoption Crisis and Its Impact on Iowa

Investigate how the national problem of children waiting for adoption specifically affects Iowa. Look into state-specific challenges and initiatives, like the From Hope to Home Gala, aimed at addressing these issues. Include interviews with local experts and families involved in adoption.

Target audience: who would cover this
Story potential: 7/10

Consumer impact

Adoption Advocacy: From Awareness to Action

Analyse the efficacy of advocacy events like the From Hope to Home Gala in translating awareness into tangible action and support for foster and adoptive families. Discuss the role of community involvement and financial contributions in driving change.

Target audience: who would cover this
Story potential: 6/10

Press Release

AMES, IA - August 15, 2026

Behind every foster care statistic is a child who enters foster care because of circumstances they did not create, often involving abuse, neglect or unsafe living conditions. Some lose the legal relationship with all parents and become legally available for adoption-yet continue waiting for a safe, loving, permanent family.

Children may spend years in temporary care, and experience multiple placements, separation from siblings, trauma and uncertainty. For some, childhood passes while they wait for someone to make a lifelong commitment. Many children age out of foster care and transition into adulthood without permanent legal parents.

Iowans for Adoption is asking America to pay attention.

These important messages will take center stage at the From Hope to Home Gala, Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa.

“This is about more than statistics. Thousands of children’s lives are being shaped while they wait for permanency, belonging and a safe family of their own,” said Dr. Diana Lang, Executive Director and Founder of The National Center for Adoption, doing business as Iowans for Adoption. “The Gala is an educational and advocacy event-and an opportunity for people across the nation to ask a powerful question: “What can each of us do to help ensure every child has a safe, loving, permanent family?”

From Hope to Home: Turning Awareness into Action

Although the Gala is being held in Iowa, the issue reaches every state. Guest speaker, Ruth Eley, L.M.S.W., will share about raising 4 biologically related children, adopting 18 from foster care, and fostering thousands.

Support generated through the event will advance efforts to:

Recruit and support foster and adoptive families
Help families navigate foster care and adoption
Assist with adoption finalization expenses
Provide family navigation and adoption resources
Support children and families pursuing permanency
Educate communities about the Safe Haven Act

The evening will feature dinner, guest speakers, education and opportunities for individuals and businesses to make a difference.

Every Community Can Help

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can help by learning about foster care and adoption, sharing accurate information, supporting families, sponsoring the Gala, donating auction or raffle items, or making a financial contribution. For more information, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/from-hope-to-home-gala

The goal is simple: to help more children move from uncertainty to safety and permanency-from hope to home.

EVENT INFORMATION

WHAT: From Hope to Home Gala

WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:00-8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa

TITLE SPONSOR: Iowa Farm Bureau

HOSTED BY: Iowans for Adoption / The National Center for Adoption

Notes to editors

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY National and regional media are invited to cover the Gala and interview child-welfare advocates, adoption professionals, adoptive families, adults with lived experience in foster care and aging out of foster care, and community leaders. Potential stories include the realities behind foster care statistics, the difference between foster care and adoption, barriers to permanency, recruiting and supporting families, children aging out of foster care, the Safe Haven Law, and what communities can do to help children find permanent families. The National Center for Adoption, doing business as Iowans for Adoption, is a statewide, volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to promoting permanency, reducing barriers to adoption, supporting children and families, keeping babies safe, and connecting people with foster care and adoption resources. Through education, public awareness, advocacy, family navigation and adoption assistance, the organization works to help all children move toward safe, stable, permanent families.

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