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In Pennsylvania, youth can remain in foster care until the age of 21. Many of the matching events listed on this page provide families with opportunities to meet older youth in care who are in need of permanency. Even though many of these youth are on their way to young adulthood, they continue to need permanent connections and a family to support, love and care for them. To learn more about this group of older youth please visit the Waiting Children section and use the Search Kids tool and search by age range 17 to 20.
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Get On Board With Adoption - An Adoption Awareness Month Event
Get on Board with Adoption, by joining us for a "FUN" afternoon as Families United Network partners with the Strasburg Railroad to spread adoption awareness! Staff will be available to provide information on foster care and adoption while highlighting children throughout Pennsylvania in need of a permanent family. Free tickets for the 3:00 PM train ride will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
- When: Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- For more information: contact Stephanie Hunt at (717) 492-9338 or shunt@families4kids.org
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Family Day at the Farm — An Adoption Awareness Month Event
Enjoy a day at the farm with your family while learning about youth in our community who need one. Bake a unique creation in the outdoor dirt diner, feed a variety of farm animals, climb on a giant tractor, dig in the giant sand pit, and grab a delicious locally sourced snack from the market! Free admission is available for the first 100 registered attendees, courtesy of Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg's Adoption and Foster Care program.
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m-1 p.m.
- Where: Paulus Farm Market, 1216 South York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
- Registration: Register using the online form
- More Information: Contact Heidi Storey at hstorey@jfsofhbg.org
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Children's Service Center of Wyoming Valley, Inc Annual Matching Event
Children's Service Center is hosting their annual Fall Match Event on Saturday, November 7th. Please save the date! More information and registration details are coming soon.
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time: 11 a.m-1 p.m.
- Where: Children's Service Center, 335 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Friday, November 13, 2026
SWAN/IL Virtual Matching Event
Join us for the sixth Statewide Virtual Matching Event (VME), an online, interactive opportunity for permanency professionals and approved adoptive families to learn more about Pennsylvania children who need permanent homes. During the event, families can connect with professionals about children who need permanency, see whether their family might be a possible match, and ask additional questions they may have about adopting a Pennsylvania child.
Registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information.
- When: Friday morning, 11/13 through Friday evening, 11/20
- Where: Our online platform
- Family registration: https://cvent.me/PzLkoe
- For more information, please contact the SWAN Helpline at 1-800-585-SWAN (1-800-585-7986)
- The event is open to families on the morning of Friday, 11/13. It remains open until the evening of Friday, 11/20.
- Once it’s open, registered and approved families can enter the event as often as they like to review and download information and, if desired, leave messages for specific workers at each booth.
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Open Your Heart — An Adoption Awareness Month Event
Join Blueprints to celebrate Adoption, learn about the Foster Care process, and check out our Older Youth Art Show! Snacks and kid crafts provided. Free tickets provided to the first 35 visitors - register today!
- When: Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Where: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA 15301
- More Information: Contact Heather Thornburg by calling 724-225-0510 ext. 315 or by emailing hthornburg@myblueprints.org
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Women of Courage and Influence: An Adoption Awareness Month Event
Join The Salvation Army for an evening celebrating local women who are making an impact through their courage, experiences, and influence. Hear from inspiring local businesswomen and foster and adoptive mothers as they share stories of the people who influenced them along their journeys and how they are now using their own talents, experiences, and voices to influence others. Enjoy delicious food and drinks provided by local venues, connect with others in our community, learn more about foster care and adoption in your community, and enter to win exciting basket raffles and giveaways.
- When: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
- Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Agency set-up begins at 4:30 p.m.
- Where: Excel Communications Worldwide, Inc., 480 School Lane Suite 200, Harleysville, PA 19438
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
National Adoption Month: There's Room at the Table
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from local foster care agencies, learn about the foster care and adoption process, hear personal testimonies from current foster parents and caregivers, listen to presentations from children who have been adopted, and connect with community resources and support services. Lunch will be provided.
- When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Where: Caring People Alliance, 301 East Chelten Avenue, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia PA 19144
- More information: Please contact Summer Mills by calling 267-443-8951 or by emailing Summer.Mills@caringpeople.org
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Your Story Starts Here Matching Event
Agencies and families with approved family profiles are invited to join an evening of raffles, games, and refreshments. This is an opportunity to connect with professionals and parents to make matches!
- When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- Time: 5-7 p.m.; Agency set-up begins at 4:30 p.m.
- Where: Northern Children Services, 5301 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
- Register by 11/6/2026
- More Information: Contact Cori Schiffert by emailing cschiffert@northernchildren.org
Tuesday, December 15, 2026
More Than a Glance: An Inquiry Hour with Mazi
Recruiters for youth and families are invited to join us on the 2026 dates for an open house style "Inquiry Hour," where we will showcase and share "More Than a Glance" about the families and children recruited for by Mazi. Families, please note that this event is for professionals only, but feel free to share this information with your workers and request that they join to represent your family!
- When: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
- Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Where: Online platform via Microsoft Teams
- Registration: Microsoft Teams Meeting Link
- For more information: please contact Liz Cady (lizcady@maziadoption.org).
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which is in part comprised of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.