Adopt-A-Family
Serving Delawareans in Need
Adopt-A-Family has helped Delaware families in need since 1973 and is coordinated by the Division of State Service Centers in all three counties. The Adopt-A-Family program aids families in crisis - those struggling with illness, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty or unemployment.
During a typical year, the Adopt-A-Family program, with assistance from the Human Services Councils of New Castle County and Kent/Sussex Counties, has provided urgently needed assistance to over 4,500 disadvantaged Delaware families totaling more than 15,000 individuals. Most of the beneficiaries are single parent households, children and senior citizens.
Primary services include:
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM
Household and Baby Supplies or Financial Assistance
Throughout the year the Adopt-A-Family program provides families in crisis with critical household supplies or financial assistance to help them recover from a crisis. This is accomplished through obtaining donations of the needed items from members of the community and assigning the items to families referred to the program by public and private social service agencies in the community. The Adopt-A-Mom program provides moms with infant supplies.
ADOPT-A-STUDENT
SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM
The Adopt-A-Student program provides necessary school supplies, including a book bag, to needy students throughout Delaware. The goal of this program is to encourage a positive attitude toward school by helping each student start the school year with the necessary supplies to achieve success.
HOLIDAY GIFT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Each year Adopt-A-Family seeks volunteers to "adopt" an individual or family for the holiday season. These special donors or sponsors provide holiday gift certificates for children and the elderly living in poverty. Sponsors are anonymously matched to a senior or family of one or more children. Adopt-a-Family provides the sponsor with the age and gender of each child in the family and a brief description of the circumstances that led to the need for assistance. The sponsor then provides gift certificates for the head-of-household to use in purchasing holiday gifts.
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
There are times when a family is faced with a crisis that requires monetary assistance. Financial assistance is considered on an individual basis up to a maximum amount for specified needs. For these times, Adopt-A-Family accepts financial donations.
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Human Services Council, Inc. and mail to Adopt-A-Family, 3301 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703 for New Castle County; or to Adopt-A-Family, 13 SW Front Street, Milford, DE 19963 for Kent and Sussex Counties.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Individuals, families, faith-based groups, youth organizations, civic associations and businesses statewide find meaningful opportunities to serve those in their community who are experiencing a crisis. Please contact the Adopt-A-Family office nearest you or visit www.volunteerdelaware.org for volunteer opportunities.
For additional information, contact the Adopt-A-Family program serving your county or the Division of State Service Centers.
