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Re: “Adoptions build families,” Jan. 4.

This is a timely article that helps build awareness about the need for more adoptive families for children in foster care.

I would like to make one clarification. A sentence in the article states that adopted children are socially awkward and behind in their academic work. That may be true when first placed with their adoptive families, but research clearly indicates that with the ongoing support of loving adoptive families, adopted children fare far better academically and socially in the long term than children who grow up after foster care without a permanent family.

The young boy in the article shows how adept he has become socially to be able to take his message public about the importance of adoption for him, his sister and, hopefully, for other foster children still waiting for their permanent families.

Children who leave foster care without a family tell us that they have nowhere to go for Christmas, no one to call to share their successes with or ask for help when that is needed. Adoption is a lifelong relationship, and more foster children in B.C. should have that opportunity. I hope that families reading this article will consider seriously whether they can find room at the table for one more.

Sandra Scarth

Brentwood Bay

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