BECOME AN ADOPTIVE PARENT AMBASSADOR

As a parent who has adopted an older child, a child with special needs or a sibling group, you know intimately the unbounded joy of adoption as well as its challenges. Your story is undoubtedly powerful, and we hope you’ll consider sharing it with others.

In Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, approximately 1,000 children and youth with special needs are waiting for the right adoptive family. As you know, they urgently need the love and permanency every child deserves.

PATH (The Professional Association of Treatment Homes) has a new project to help families in rural communities in these three states adopt children with special needs – the Rural Expansion of Adoptive Communities and Homes project, or REACH.

REACH is in the process of taking its messages to rural communities in Southwestern Minnesota, North-Central North Dakota and Northern Wisconsin. We are looking for ambassadors like you to spread the word. Please consider sharing your story to help inspire and motivate other rural families to adopt special children.

We are asking interested people to speak to civic groups, congregations, businesses, at community events, on panels or at other opportunities that arise in your area. REACH will coordinate speaking opportunities and provide you with information about the speaking engagement. While this is a volunteer opportunity, mileage will be reimbursed.

As an ambassador, you can speak as many or as few times as you’d like, depending on your schedule and availability. We promise to make it easy for you, providing you with talking points about the program. But mainly, the idea is for you to share information about the special relationship between you and your child or children.

If you’re willing, we might also ask you to be interviewed by a member of the media, and would provide you with a brief training by telephone to prepare you for the interview.

Please call our toll-free number at 866-797-3224 if you or someone in your family is interested in becoming a REACH project ambassador. We will send you an Ambassador Information Packet including:

AMBASSADOR FORMS
Consent Forms
Activity Log
Public Speaking Tips
Talking Points
Frequently Asked Questions
Event Sign Up

RECRUITMENT FLYERS
Minnesota
   General Flyer
North Dakota
   General Flyer
   American Indian Flyer
Wisconsin
   General Flyer

AMBASSADOR CONNECTION NEWSLETTER
   April 2006
   May 2006
   June 2006
   Nov 2006
   Dec 2006
   Jan 2007

You would be performing a great service because your story will help raise awareness for the hundreds of children who are waiting for the right adoptive families. It could inspire the special parents in your community who have the skills and love needed to adopt a child.