Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Encyclopedia
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding adoptive homes for children waiting in North America’s foster care
system. Created in 1992 by Wendy's
founder Dave Thomas
, who was adopted as a child, the Foundation works to provide grants to national and regional adoption organizations for programs that raise awareness and make adoption easier and more affordable. Thomas' daughter Wendy
serves on the foundation's board of trustees.
, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 137,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements results-driven national signature programs, foster care adoption awareness initiatives and research-based advocacy efforts.
The Foundation’s efforts are led by president and CEO Rita Soronen. Soronen serves on the board of directors of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and the Ohio CASA/GAL Assn. and is a fellow for the Jefferson Fellowship for Executive Leadership. She is a recipient of the National CASA Association Kappa Alpha Theta
Program Director of the Year and the national Angels in Adoption award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.
The Foundation raises money to provide free educational resources, promote awareness, assist policymakers and employers, and support adoption professionals and agencies throughout the United States and Canada -- to ensure that every child finds a forever home. Signature programs of the Foundation include Wendy's Wonderful Kids -- a network of adoption recruiters throughout North American focused exclusively on North America's longest-waiting children; and Adoption-Friendly Workplace -- Tools and expert guidance for companies and parents to help support adoption benefits like financial reimbursement and paid leave. DTFA Kickball for a Home is new program launched in 2011 to encourage engagement, fun and fundraising efforts.
The Wendy’s Company supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption with in-store donation canisters, Father’s Day Frosty campaign and Halloween Coupon books.
and the Creative Coalition
at the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions for its significant work to find forever families for children in foster care.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's "Wendy's Wonderful Kids" program earned a 2007 Adoption Excellence Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services
.
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
system. Created in 1992 by Wendy's
Wendy's
Wendy's is an international fast food chain restaurant founded by Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The company decided to move its headquarters to Dublin, Ohio, on January 29, 2006. It has been owned by Triarc since 2008...
founder Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas (American businessman)
David "Dave" Thomas was an American fast-food entrepreneur and philanthropist. Thomas was the founder and chief executive officer of Wendy's, a fast-food restaurant chain specializing in hamburgers...
, who was adopted as a child, the Foundation works to provide grants to national and regional adoption organizations for programs that raise awareness and make adoption easier and more affordable. Thomas' daughter Wendy
Wendy Thomas
Melinda Lou "Wendy" Morse is the daughter and fourth child of American businessman Dave Thomas, the founder of the restaurant Wendy's...
serves on the foundation's board of trustees.
Foundation
Located in Dublin, OhioDublin, Ohio
Dublin is a city in Franklin, Delaware, and Union counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 41,751 at the 2010 census. Dublin is a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Approximately 57,000 people live within the Dublin school district....
, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 137,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements results-driven national signature programs, foster care adoption awareness initiatives and research-based advocacy efforts.
The Foundation’s efforts are led by president and CEO Rita Soronen. Soronen serves on the board of directors of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and the Ohio CASA/GAL Assn. and is a fellow for the Jefferson Fellowship for Executive Leadership. She is a recipient of the National CASA Association Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Alpha Theta , also known as Theta, is an international fraternity for women founded on January 27, 1870 at DePauw University, formerly Indiana Asbury...
Program Director of the Year and the national Angels in Adoption award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.
The Foundation raises money to provide free educational resources, promote awareness, assist policymakers and employers, and support adoption professionals and agencies throughout the United States and Canada -- to ensure that every child finds a forever home. Signature programs of the Foundation include Wendy's Wonderful Kids -- a network of adoption recruiters throughout North American focused exclusively on North America's longest-waiting children; and Adoption-Friendly Workplace -- Tools and expert guidance for companies and parents to help support adoption benefits like financial reimbursement and paid leave. DTFA Kickball for a Home is new program launched in 2011 to encourage engagement, fun and fundraising efforts.
The Wendy’s Company supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption with in-store donation canisters, Father’s Day Frosty campaign and Halloween Coupon books.
Awards
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption received the Shining Star Award presented by Congressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
and the Creative Coalition
Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, politically-active group formed of members of the American entertainment industry....
at the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions for its significant work to find forever families for children in foster care.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's "Wendy's Wonderful Kids" program earned a 2007 Adoption Excellence Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
.