Adopt-A-Family / Adopt-A-Senior Program
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Berman Institute of Bioethics staff |
Thank you for bringing joy!
We wish to thank all of the Johns Hopkins employees, students, retirees, and their families and friends who participated in the 2012 Adopt-a-Family/ Adopt-a-Senior Program. Thanks to your generosity, this year’s program achieved record-breaking success: 146 families, seniors, and adults with disabilities were adopted and more than 400 adoptees received gifts, toys, grocery store gift cards, and much more for the holiday season.
Enjoy this short video to see the smiles, gifts, and healthy holiday meals.
Program Description
The holiday season can be a difficult time for children with absentee parents, individuals who have been displaced from their homes as a result of domestic violence or unemployment, low-income and homebound seniors, and others in the community who are facing hardships. The Adopt-a-Family/ Adopt-a-Senior Program helps make the holiday season brighter for those in need and provides families and individuals with gifts, clothing, and grocery gift certificates that they may not otherwise receive or be able to afford.
In 2012, the Office of Work, Life and Engagement partnered with Family and Children Services of Central Maryland, Furman L. Templeton Elementary School and social services agencies surrounding Baltimore City. The Johns Hopkins Adopt-a-Family / Adopt-a-Senior Program is sponsored by the Office of Work, Life and Engagement and is a charitable activity for faculty, staff, students, and retirees of all Hopkins entities and locations.
How to Participate
Information about the 2013 Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-Senior Program will be available in October 2013.
For more information, contact Brandi Monroe-Payton or call 443-997- 7000.
Who receives help through the Johns Hopkins Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-Senior Program?
Which Hopkins affiliates participate in the program?
Why do Hopkins employees say they participate?
How are the donors matched with the families, seniors, and adults with disabilities?
Can I meet the adopted family or senior?
Can I still participate if I cannot deliver the gifts?
Who do I contact if I need assistance?
Who receives help through the Johns Hopkins Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-Senior Program?
The Office of Work, Life and Engagement partners with local agencies that serve families and seniors who are facing a bleak holiday due to a variety of circumstances. Previously adopted families and individuals have included teen mothers of young children, children of incarcerated parents, women and children displaced due to domestic violence, seniors, and adults with disabilities who are unable to pay bills and afford personal items.
Which Hopkins affiliates participate in the program?
All Hopkins affiliates are invited to adopt a family or senior for the holidays. Many employees participate as a department-wide activity, and other Hopkins donors use this as an opportunity to model for their loved ones the joys of giving to those less fortunate.
Why do Hopkins employees say they participate?
“At some point, everyone goes through a difficult time, whether it’s due to any one of the difficult situations that many of the sponsored children or adults go through or some other type of challenge. Sometimes, just the selfless act of letting someone know that you care about their situation, especially around the holidays, makes a huge difference. I’m glad that I work in an office that thinks participating in the program is important to do." – Johns Hopkins University employee
How are the donors matched with the families and seniors?
You may request to adopt a family, a senior, or an adult with a disability. During the online registration process, you have the opportunity to request a specific family size, gender of adopted individual(s), etc. Although we cannot guarantee an exact match, the Office of Work, Life and Engagement makes an effort to accommodate donor requests.
Can I meet the adopted family or senior?
Due to the rules of confidentiality, a limited number of families and seniors receive their gifts directly from donors. Most adopted families, seniors, and adults with disabilities receive their gifts from the partnering agencies. You can choose to deliver directly to the agency or request that the gifts be picked up and delivered to the agency by Office of Work, Life and Engagement staff.
Can I still participate if I cannot personally deliver the gifts?
Yes! You are able to request that the gifts be picked up from your Hopkins office on December 17 and 18.
Please Note: Due to the large number of pick-up requests, you must arrange a delivery time with the sponsoring agency IF you do not schedule pick-up on 12/17 or 12/18. Delivery to the sponsoring agency must occur on or before December 20.
Yes. Any items given to the adopted families and individuals must be new. They should also be gift-wrapped and labeled based on the directions emailed to you.
Who do I contact if I need assistance?
The Johns Hopkins Adopt-a-Family/ Adopt-a-Senior Program is designed to assist families and individuals who have been referred to us. If you are in need of assistance, please contact Family and Children Services of Central Maryland at 410-669-9000 or a local Social Services agency in your area.
If you are not affiliated with Johns Hopkins, please contact a local Social Services agency for information on how you can help families and seniors in your area.
2011 Impact Report
Your generosity resulted in record-breaking success—144 families, seniors, and adults with disabilities (a total of nearly 400 individuals) received gifts, toys, grocery store gift cards, and much more for the holiday season. More than 100 Hopkins affiliates, departments and student groups gave selflessly. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Words of Thanks from the 2011 Adopted Families, Seniors, and Sponsored Agencies
“ Ms. Jones* was moving over the holidays to her daughter’s home – her daughter’s job had just been terminated so gifts were very limited…Ms. Jones is bed-bound so is also in need of bedding supplies…Thanks to you, Ms. Jones had a much more joyful holiday than she would have otherwise. Many thanks for your generosity!” – Eldercare Case Manager (*name changed to maintain confidentiality)
“…we also depend upon the compassion and activism of community donors like you. Thank you for taking the time to call, the energy to schedule a pick-up or drop-off, and the strength to care. We want you to know that your donation and support for Project PLASE mean so much to us and to our clients. The families and their counselors were overwhelmed and most, most appreciative!” - Project PLASE staff
“What a pleasant and wonderful surprise to receive your gifts of chocolate and beautiful gloves, which fit my hands perfectly. I can’t imagine knowing you, but one thing I know, you are VERY kind and thoughtful! You made my Christmas!!” – An adopted senior
“ WOW!!!- That’s all I can say and thank you. We had an AMAZING Christmas. Thank you for EVERYTHING-we LOVED EVERYTHING you gave us- nobody has ever helped us like this- We are so happy.” – An adopted family
We look forward to the 2012 holiday season and assisting more families and seniors. For more information, contact Brandi Monroe-Payton or call 443-997- 7000.