A Place to Call Home

Program Overview

Welcome to ‘A Place to Call Home,’ the heartwarming biweekly segment brought to you by KSDK 5 On Your Side and sponsored by Vantage Credit Union. Our award-winning program shines a spotlight on children who are legally free for adoption, showcasing their unique personalities, interests, and hobbies in carefully crafted visuals.

Through A Place to Call Home, we aim to recruit caring and compassionate caregivers who can provide a loving forever home for children who are often “hardest to place” because of their age, medical history, or sibling group. The segment garners extensive publicity, attracting interest from both relatives and non-biological prospective caregivers. We serve as a crucial link between KSDK 5 On Your Side and dedicated case managers who refer children in need of permanent placements. Each participating child is granted a Little Wish, a special self-selected field trip that doubles as the location for filming.

Thanks to our innovative approach to adoption, A Place to Call Home has successfully secured over 500 placements for children seeking their forever families! Our program’s remarkable impact on the community earned it the prestigious National Association of Broadcaster’s Service to America Award, and it was even nominated for a National Emmy.

Eligibility

  • Child must be legally free for adoption.
  • Child must reside in Illinois or Missouri.
  • We prioritize children who:
    • Are older youth.
    • Are part of a sibling group.
    • Have documented elevated medical or mental health needs.
    • Have been legally free for adoption for six months with no permanent resource identified.
  • No age limit.
  • A media order must be granted.
  • Inquiring families must be licensed to foster/adopt.

What to Expect

Once a referral is received from a case manager or adoption worker, our dedicated A Place to Call Home team swings into action. We work diligently to secure a suitable location, date, and time for filming. Creating a compelling media profile and capturing heartwarming photos of the child are essential steps in the process. Within two weeks of the segment airing, we direct inquiries to our recruitment teams, actively engaging with prospective caregivers and assessing their suitability for placement. The unwavering efforts of KSDK 5 On Your Side and our A Place to Call Home team ensure that over 90% of children receive inquiry calls!

Referrals

For more information and to make a referral, please contact Madison Brown, Family Enrichment & Volunteer Manager, at 314.367.8373. Click here to download a referral form. Return it, along with the adoption profile, to madisonbrown@foster-adopt.org.

Program Goals

A Place to Call Home plays a vital role in revitalizing placement options for case managers facing challenges in finding suitable homes for children in foster care. Our focus extends to children who may be older, part of larger sibling groups, or have special needs. By strategically maximizing exposure for these stories, we aim to reach prospective caregivers who are best suited to meet these unique needs. Each televised feature is thoughtfully shared on KSDK 5 On Your Side’s website and social media platforms, further increasing the reach and impact of our program.

At A Place to Call Home, we are not only committed to locating prospective caregivers but also to curating memorable experiences that truly resonate with each child’s genuine interests. Through television features and social media sharing, we continuously strive to make a lasting difference in the lives of these deserving children.

In the News

5 On Your Side KSDK  “A Place to Call Home”

5 On Your Side KSDK (January 24, 2022) “2000s: Making an impact for generations”

5 On Your Side KSDK (September 12, 2024) “500 Forever Families: A Place to Call Home in St. Louis”

Celebrating 500 Forever Families

In the dynamic world of television, where stories often fade away, KSDK 5 On Your Side’s ‘A Place to Call Home’ has thrived for 21 years as a beacon of hope for local children. Each week the segment paints vivid portraits of kids seeking forever homes, showcasing their personalities and interests with heartfelt features. Going beyond TV, it’s a lifeline for children facing challenges, helping match 500 kids to their forever families and preventing them from aging out of foster care.

Contact

Madison Brown – Family Enrichment & Volunteer Manager
1750 South Brentwood Boulevard, Suite 210, Saint Louis, MO 63144
o 314.367.8373
e madisonbrown@foster-adopt.org