By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
This past year marked a significant milestone for Kidsave as we officially launched our Weekend Miracles program in Virginia. In partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services, this expansion brings our proven Family Visit Model to Central and Northern Virginia—giving older kids in foster care the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with mentors and potential adoptive families. Since its inception, the program has provided safe, welcoming spaces for connection through engaging monthly events.
We kicked things off in December with a holiday party, which brought together a small but enthusiastic group of kids and families. Over lunch, attendees bonded through conversation cards, board games, and festive activities like marshmallow races, greeting card making, and gingerbread house decorating. Since then, we’ve hosted five more events: a bowling night in January, an emotional wellness and team-building session in February, a trivia game day in March, a hands-on game day in April with axe throwing and mini golf, and a fun-filled field day in May that included relay races, hula hoop contests, and a water balloon toss.
So far, a growing number of youth have taken part in the program, and several meaningful connections have already formed between kids and families. Our outreach efforts have generated strong interest across the community, with many families attending orientations and submitting applications to get involved. Many are now actively engaged and committed to making a difference.
Leading the program is our Virginia Program Manager, Tammy Yarborough, a seasoned child welfare professional with over two decades of experience. Tammy’s deep understanding of the system and her compassion for these youth are key to the program’s early success. “It was heart-warming to witness the tenacity of our youth who are willing to open their hearts to possible connections despite the previous obstacles they've endured,” she shared. “The Weekend Miracles program provides a new opportunity for older kids in foster care in Virginia to find forever families or lasting connections.”
Currently, Virginia is home to nearly 4,800 children in foster care. Of those, approximately 800 are waiting to be adopted. More than half—51%—are over the age of nine, and 56% have been waiting in care for two or more years. These statistics are a reminder of why programs like Weekend Miracles matter. Our goal is to ensure that no child ages out of the system without knowing they are seen, valued, and supported.
You can be part of the change. Whether through mentoring, hosting, or simply spreading the word, every action helps create more opportunities for kids to find connection and family. To get involved, reach out to us at weekendmiraclesva@kidsave.org. We’re just getting started—and we’re grateful to have you with us.
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