CHILDREN AWAITING PARENTS

{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ SHE HUSTLES TALKS }{ SHE HUSTLES TALKS }{ CHILDREN AWAITING PARENTS } CAP’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY/2022 GALA

BY MELINDA SPIRE

When we think about the first 50 years of our organization, we’re reminded of times when we’ve been able to change the lives of waiting children in a meaningful way.

We started with just a few people and a dream, and today we’re proud to have grown into an organization that has served hundreds waiting children every year. Here are some highlights from our first 50 years! regional photo listings across multiple states—and eventually becoming a national listing when it was featured in The National Enquirer newspaper every week starting in 1980. As a result, between 300 and 500 inquiries are received each week, making The CAP Book officially a national photo listing!

The original CAP Book staff (left to right): Peggy Soule, Executive Director; Rosann Markese, Associate Soule “Child Advocate of the Year.” In 1988, CAP received $25,000 from Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities to help enhance recruitment in upstate New York. Peggy Soule and CAP children accepted the grant.

President Ronald Reagan invited Peggy Soule and other leading adoption advocates to The White House to discuss solving the problem of America’s waiting children.

The organization’s humble beginnings began in 1972, when a group of people in Rochester, NY sought to break through the barriers of adoption. A brainstorming meeting sparked the idea to create and distribute a book that would include pictures of adoptable children. At this time, the idea of publishing pictures of these children was very controversial. CAP secured the support of key adoption social workers and a prominent local pediatrician. The CAP Book was born.

In 1975, adoptive parents from CAP successfully lobbied for legislation mandating that all New York State waiting children be photo listed. The listing of children in the New York State Blue Book begins.

In 1977, Peggy Soule took over as Executive Director (and received a grant from the Junior League of Rochester) and The CAP Book became an independent entity, offering Director; Diane Grant and Linda McGrain.

In 1980, the National Enquirer newspaper began including a child from The CAP Book in every issue. As a result, between 300 and 500 inquiries were received each week, making The CAP Book officially a national photo listing.

In 1985. The North American Council on Adoptable Children, at their national conference, names Peggy In 1995, Peggy Soule and two children from The CAP Book were invited to The White House where they visited privately with Hillary Clinton.

In 2000, Peggy Soule retired yet remained an active CAP advocate. She is still an active volunteer to this day! CAP launched its Lift The Wait campaign in 2006, developed by John Brown of Frontline Advertising. The campaign focused on educating Americans about the need for foster parents and raising awareness about the number of waiting children who are eligible for adoption.

CAP also launched its Right to be Heard pilot project in 2006, with a grant provided by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. A Right to be Heard empowers waiting children to speak in their own words about their interests, challenges and hopes. Through creative video portraits,

“When we think about the first 50 years of our organization, we’re reminded of times when we’ve been able to change the lives of waiting children in a meaningful way.”

nearly fifty children shared their stories through film and television interviews so that others could get to know them as individuals and not just as “waiting children.” CAP staff member, Melanie Marciano, interviews one of our waiting children at the video premiere.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 50 years since we first started working to find permanent, loving families for children waiting in foster care. And we’re not just celebrating the past—we’re looking ahead at what’s possible.

As a non-profit organization, we depend on the generosity of our community to keep touching more lives than ever before. And so, we are thrilled to announce our 50th Anniversary Gala!

Our gala evening, emceed by Channel 13’s Don Alhart on Saturday, November 5th will feature live entertainment by The Swooners, and Rochester’s world-renowned jazz pianist Gap Mangione, a champagne toast, cocktails and dinner. There will be raffles, a silent auction and very special 50th anniversary multimedia presentation and recognition.

To buy tickets or sponsor or donate please visit www. childrenawaitingparents.org/homeheart-harmony-gala-2022. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!