In Kansas, there are close to 500 children and teens who need loving forever families. These are children who have experienced abuse, neglect or other serious family challenges. November is National Adoption Month, and KVC Kansas is helping to facilitate over 100 children’s adoptions throughout the state. On November 16th and 17th (which is National Adoption Day), courthouses in Kansas will open to showcase families finalizing their adoptions and growing in love. Since its beginning, KVC has facilitated more than 4,450 adoptions and facilitates more than 350 Kansas children’s adoptions annually.

One incredible adoption story this year is about DJ, a youth who had been waiting for a forever family since 2009. DJ faced a significant amount of trauma and loss in his life and sadly experienced two adoption processes that didn’t work out. Sarah and Kendall Mille provided foster care for DJ and his sister, but DJ was moved from the home for reasons beyond anyone’s control. The Milles adopted DJ’s sister. Amy Fowler, DJ’s Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA volunteer), kept working tirelessly to find him a permanent loving home.

As time went on, DJ doubted more and more that he would get adopted. One day, though, Amy ran into the Milles by chance at an adoption event. Amy informed them that DJ was still in need of a permanent, loving home. This shocked Sarah and Kendall and broke their hearts, as they assumed DJ would have already found a forever home.

The Milles wasted no time reconnecting with DJ and provided him with support in any way they could. In May 2017, the Milles threw DJ a party for his 14th birthday and surprised him by inviting his two younger brothers to the party, who DJ had not seen in years. DJ said he “just kept hugging and hugging” his brothers when he saw them. It was obvious to the Milles that DJ was already a part of their family, and they began to pursue steps towards adopting him.

The Milles cared for DJ in the months leading to his adoption. As soon as DJ was placed in the Mille home, he returned to the happy, smiling boy that he used to be, and he says that he is finally in the home he was meant to be in.

DJ was adopted by the Milles on May 3, 2018, just one day after his 15th birthday. The Milles have given DJ the family that he yearned for and, not only that, have reconnected DJ with his siblings whom he desperately loves. Kendall and Sarah Mille are an amazing example of love and family, and have given DJ the forever family he has deserved for so long.

Profiles of children who need to be adopted can viewed at www.adoptuskids.org, or for those children served by KVC, at http://adoption.kvc.org. The profiles include photos, bios and, in many cases, videos.

Media representatives are invited to observe adoption finalizations and interview adoptive families at the times and locations below.

IOLA, KS – 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16
Allen County Courthouse
1 N. Washington, Iola, KS

KANSAS CITY, KS – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16
Wyandotte County Courthouse – Juvenile Court Division
711 Armstrong Ave., Kansas City, KS

TOPEKA, KS – 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17
Shawnee County Courthouse
200 SE 7th St., Topeka, KS

OLATHE, KS – 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17
Johnson County Courthouse
100 N. Kansas Ave., Olathe, KS

KVC’s adoption work is done in partnership with the Kansas Department for Children and Families and Adopt KS Kids.

Visit our adoption website to meet the children in need of an adoptive family.

Check out another incredible adoption story from this year!

Married couple Tate and Meriam Thompson expanded their family when they adopted four biological siblings. Read the Thompsons’ story, “Dreams Do Come True.”