FRANKLIN COUNTY – You take care of your kids every day but it is something you may take for granted. There are hundreds of kids who don't have a family to call their own.
There are nearly 900 children who are up for adoption in Virginia.
10 News is profiling one child who needs a home every day at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in 30 Days of Hope.
Emaleigh Smith is curious, loves science and is into fashion. She's just like any other 12 year-old but Emaleigh wants a family.
"I like to explore more and new things. I like to try foods. I like to discover new cultures," said Emaleigh.
She came into the foster care system at age 8 and has lived with two families over the last five years.
"Emaleigh came into foster care for the same reason that all of our children come in because her parents were unable to care for her at the time and provide her with a safe and secure environment," said Julie Vance, DePaul Community Resources adoption specialist who has been working to find her a family. "She's been in a warm, nurturing home for a good extended amount of time to help her heal and be prepared for her forever family. She tells me over and over she would like someone young. She would like someone that would travel, do exciting things with her, she wants to have fun, she's very energetic."
More than 5,000 children in Virginia are currently in foster care and nearly 900 are available for adoption. Many of these children are older, or siblings, waiting in the system and in danger of turning 18 without a family to support them in their adult years.
"These kids are just like any other kids. They have great attributes, they have things to offer. They are funny, they are fun loving. They want someone to love them. They want a home, they want a community to call their own," said Vance.
"I was adopted when I was three," said Debbie Johnston with Connecting Hearts. "I was one of the lucky ones. When I think what my life might have been and what my life actually is I can't even imagine. It really puts fire in my soul to go out and help other kids get what I got."
The organization works with agencies and families across Virginia, hoping to match them together.
10 News is partnering with Connecting Hearts to highlight a local child every day, and raise awareness for the hundreds who may never be seen like a case Johnston saw firsthand.
"In walks a woman with carrying a bassinet with twins. Three months old that we're just dropped off at the emergency room, the diagnosis was failure to thrive. No one was feeding them, no one was holding them and I just cringe," said Johnston.
That is just one story but there are so many more. Children just like the twins and Emaleigh who need permanent, loving homes.
"It would be a nice if they had a home to stay in and people that love them," said Smith.
"Take the chance, reach out, don't be afraid. It's very, very rewarding and you can change someone's life," said Vance.
Over the next 30 days, we'll show you one child who needs a home. These are children from southwest Virginia who need special people in their life and a family to call their own.
If you are interested in adoption, contact Connecting Hearts at 804-308-5946, mbolton@connectingheartsva.org or online by clicking here.