There are over 130 million orphans in the world today (UNICEF).

There are approximately 500,000 children in the United States foster care system, and around 120,000 are "waiting" children able to be adopted (US AFCARS Report).

Children are profoundly affected when they lose their parents, setting them on a long trail of painful experiences often characterized by: economic hardship, lack of love, attention and affection, withdrawal from school, psychological distress, loss of inheritance, increased physical and sexual abuse and risk of HIV infection, malnutrition and illness, stigma, discrimination, exploitation, trafficking, and isolation (UNICEF and UNAIDS).

16 million children were newly orphaned in 2003, and every 14 seconds a child loses a parent due to AIDS (UNICEF).

More than one-third of Americans have seriously considered adopting, but no more than 2% have actually adopted (Child Welfare Gateway).

What happens to young people who are removed from foster care after turning 18?

54% Earned a high school diploma
2% Obtained a Bachelor's degree or higher
51% Were unemployed
30% Had no health insurance
25% Had been homeless
30% Were receiving public assistance
(National Foster Care Month Fact Sheet)