Its' All About the Children

ADOPT A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! THANK YOU

Every year we hear about a family that has fallen on hard times due to recent loss of employment or an unforeseen financial hardship that plagued them just before the holidays.  Whatever the reason, we try to help those who may need assistance during the holiday season.  Through the Adopt a Family for Christmas Program these families are matched with potential sponsors who would like to provide these families in our community with the spirit of Christmas.

Referrals to the Adopt a Family Association from area churches, friends, neighbors and other organizations including the City Mission, Cops and Kids, Salvation Army, 211 United Way, Red Cross and other local agencies with families needing help during the holiday season increased tremendously.  With the extreme economic downturn, which  has affect us all for some time, we predict to see a dramatic increase of families needing assistance not only during the holidays, but also throughout the year.

The Adopt a Family Association was created to provide a short-term safety net and caring support to Greater Cleveland area families in crisis working to maintain a stable home environment for their children as they overcome traumatic socioeconomic circumstances.  Since 1996, we have helped hundreds of families and more than 500 have been provided with Christmas toys, food, clothing, furniture, beds or other services selected to meet specific identified needs.  

Annual special events are held in partnership with local retail merchants where clients can select winter coats for their children.  Remaining items are personally delivered by program volunteers to allow them to connect with each family, provide meaningful encouragement and potentially identify additional ways Adopt a Family can meet short-term need.

 Confronting the face of poverty face-to-face has inspired volunteers to formally Adopt a Family and secure its 501c (3) accreditation during 2007 as part of its strategic effort to provide a specific period--three months--- of support services to client families throughout the calendar year.  Year-round programming was launched during the second quarter of 2008 and families served increased 50 percent during the 9 months of expanded programming to over 100 families.

The Adopt a Family team members won the National City Bank Excel Award in March 2007 for their commitment to the Northeast Ohio community.  Mayor Frank Jackson also acknowledged the work of the organization by a letter of appreciation.

The Adopt a Family Association would like to express its sincere thank you to all of the former National City employees who have unselfishly donated their time and dollars to sponsor families in our Cleveland area communities for 11 years.   WE WILL MISS YOUR COMMITMENT AND GENEROSITY TO THE FAMILIES AND THE CHILDREN.

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If you or your group would like to sponsor a family for the holidays, please go to our Sponsor page for information as to what you need to know about sponsoring a family.

 
For families needing assistances in the Cleveland, Akron, Medina, Painesville areas or those within the surrounding counties surrounding Cuyahoga county, our contact information is located in the About Us page.