Saving a Generation - One Child at a Time

Fairfax County Department of Family Services
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
For media inquiries, contact: Belinda Buescher, 703-324-7758, TTY 703-222-9452

For Immediate Release - October 6, 2004

Hear the remarkable story of Rev. W.C. Martin and his 250-member congregation in Possum Trot, Texas, who have adopted 70 children from the state’s foster care system since 1997.

“There is no such thing as an unwanted child,” says Rev. Martin, “only unfound families.”

As a special event for Adoption Awareness Month in November, Fairfax County’s foster care and adoption program has invited Rev. Martin to come share his insights with the Northern Virginia community about how to find and support adoptive families for our children in need. Rev. Martin has been featured on national television, in Family Circle magazine, and in numerous news articles throughout the country.

In Fairfax County, close to 500 children and teens are currently in foster care. Of these, about 20 who have no chance of returning safely to their birth families currently have no identified adoptive families. They wait…and wait…for a loving family to step forward to adopt them. Most of the children have experienced serious abuse and neglect.

The free event, “Saving a Generation: An Evening with Rev. W.C. Martin,” is open to the general public. Members of the press are welcome. Light refreshments — and hope — will be provided.

For more information or to request special accommodations, contact Beverly Howard in Fairfax County’s Foster Care & Adoption Program: 703-324-7518 (TTY: 703-222-9452). Information is also available on the county’s Web site at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/childrenyouth/adoption.htm

Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request special accommodations, call 703-324-3535 or Virginia Relay 711.