Kids At Heart

Every year since 1992, the National Council For Adoption has hosted a special event in New York City called Kids At Heart to raise awareness for the need for foster and adoptive parent recruitment. We hold this fun-filled event free of charge for our guests – children in New York City foster care who have been freed (meaning their parents’ parental rights have been terminated) but not placed for adoption.

Working in conjunction with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, NCFA sent invitations to these children and youth, inviting them to be a part of Kids At Heart on November 23 from 1 – 4pm at Chelsea Piers. Children were greeted at the door by Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey clowns and circus performers. Once they entered, children frolicked around the batting cages, soccer area, basketball court, arts and crafts rooms, a toddler adventure center, and a gymnastics area.  A healthy lunch was provided for everyone and after they had bounced around the walls for a couple of hours, a special program was held for the children featuring a special presentation by the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey clowns. Last year, our special guest was Julia Charles, former foster youth and author of Surviving the Storm:  The Life of a Child in Foster Care.  Before they left, children were given goodie bags filled with stickers, games and trinkets.