Through her contributions as a board member of the Barker Adoption Foundation, Amy Sturtevant helps children find families and permanent homes.
Having a place to call home is something many people might take for granted. But in reality, it’s a privilege that thousands of children across the United States don’t have.
For Amy Sturtevant, helping children and young people find a loving family and a permanent place to live is a cause near and dear to her heart. Sturtevant, who is director of the RBC Wealth Management Washington, D.C. branch, serves on the board of the Barker Adoption Foundation, which gives her the opportunity to support a cause that works toward providing every child with a permanent, safe and loving home.
The Barker Adoption Foundation, based in Bethesda, Maryland, provides a wide range of adoption-relation programs and services to birth parents, adoptive parents, adoptive persons and anyone whose life is touched by adoption.
“We believe all children, regardless of their background, deserve a family,” says Sue Hollar, executive director and CEO at The Barker Adoption Foundation. “We work tirelessly to find them parents, a warm bed to sleep in and the resources they need.”
The foundation makes itself available to some of the most vulnerable citizens in the country, offering lifelong services, kids’ groups, team weekends, discussion groups and counseling. The organization has placed more than 7,500 children in safe, permanent homes since 1945.
“It’s so compelling to me,” says Sturtevant. “I’m a mother and I have four children. People who aren’t fortunate enough to have their own children have a place to go. The angels out there that are placing these children and giving them a home—it’s a miracle.”
The Moody Family, who adopted four siblings from foster care. (Photo credit: Maureen Minehan)
By the age of 10, the likelihood of a child in foster care being adopted drops by 50 percent. That’s a statistic that the foundation’s “Project Wait No Longer” campaign aims to dramatically reduce by partnering with public child welfare agencies across the country to find loving, safe and permanent families for older children in foster care. Sturtevant points to “Project Wait No Longer” as a specific reason she’s proud to support the foundation.
“This gives children the opportunity to have a family when they previously had no opportunity,” Sturtevant says.
Sturtevant supports the foundation in several different ways. In addition to participating in annual conferences and sponsoring local events, Sturtevant also contributes financially to the foundation. This is a critical component, as only 44 percent of the foundation’s operating expenses are covered by the fees from their services. Being able to meet the needs of children and families largely depends on the support of people like Sturtevant.
“Amy brings an extraordinary ability to listen and contribute in a thought-provoking way. She has been instrumental in building connections and contributing on our board,” Hollar says. “She is a member of the community with a heart and passion for the work we do.”
Continuing to raise awareness and helping the Barker Adoption Foundation maintain its stature in the community are key to Sturtevant’s long-term commitment to the organization.
“It’s one organization making a difference in a world where so many children are in foster care,” Sturtevant says. “I know what children have meant in my family and to my family, and I think that’s just an opportunity that everyone should have.”
Roy and Linda adopted Matt through Project Wait No Longer. (Photo credit: Maureen Minehan)
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