Simply, we impact the lives of children in need.
Here are some of the most common questions people ask us:
Is Boys & Girls Aid a national organization?
No. We work mainly in Oregon, with infant adoption services in Oregon and Washington. This means that 100% of every dollar you give stays right here to help your own neighbors.
Is Boys & Girls Aid an adoption agency?
Yes. Since our inception in 1885, we have placed over 17,000 children in permanent homes.
How much does this cost the birth mother?
Nothing at all. We pay her expenses throughout the pregnancy and for the following three months. Just as important, we provide support and counseling as long as she needs us.
Do you provide foster care?
Yes—for children of all ages, whether for an emergency stay, or an extended period of time.
What kind of children do you help?
Our clients may be neglected, abused, or homeless – or any combination of these.
Can you help older children?
Absolutely. In fact, we have a number of facilities for teenagers and young adults to 21. Some of these are:
Do you provide any services for adults?
We provide training and counseling to birthmothers and fathers, adoptive parents, foster parents, and mentors.
What if I want to help a child or teen but am unable to make a commitment to be a foster parent?
You may want to look into Mentor Portland. We created this program to connect safe and caring adults to boys and girls age 8 to 14. Many of these young people are in foster care or have an incarcerated parent—they are in need of a positive adult role model.
What kind of staff do you have?
Boys & Girls Aid employs adoption clinicians, social workers, youth care counselors, and administrative personnel. All members of our staff are highly trained to work with children in need.
What if there is a problem during the night or on the weekend?
Our adoption clinicians are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to assist birthmothers. We also offer after-hours assistance for foster care parents of youth our care.
Who pays for all of these services?
Boys & Girls Aid receives funding through government contracts. However, there is a gap between funds awarded from government contracts and the actual cost to deliver high quality services. In our case, for every $1 of services we provide, 80 cents is covered by our contracts. This leaves 20 cents on each dollar that we must raise in order to continue our vital work.