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    Adopt PA Kids

    ​Upcoming SWAN Events

    Connecting individuals and families with valuable resources and information is vital to creating loving and supportive environments for children in need. This page serves as a hub for upcoming events, workshops, and seminars dedicated to adoption and fostering.

    Jump down to: Upcoming Birthdays | Upcoming Events

    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.

    Birthdays

    We celebrate February birthdays (17-20yrs) for the following older youth: 

    Events

    Tuesday, March 3, 2026
    The Bair Foundation Sweet Treats Matching Event 

    The Bair Foundation Sweet Treats matching event will be held on March 3, 2026 from 5pm-6:30pm in Harrisburg. There are links and QR codes on the flyer for easy registration for agencies, waiting youth and waiting families. We will have a professional photographer (the amazing Emil Rodriguez-Powell from Slice of Lime) at the event again this year! Spots for photographs for your waiting youth are limited so register early.

    A light meal of sandwiches, raw vegetables, fruit, and chips, as well as lots of sweet treats, will be served for the entire duration of the event. We look forward to seeing you all at the event!

    • Title: The Bair Foundation Sweet Treats Matching Event
    • When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
    • Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
    • Where: LCBC Harrisburg, 4150 Chambers Hill Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
    • For more information or other questions, please email: SweetTreats@bair.org

    Saturday, March 28, 2026
    Adoption Center Older Youth Matching Event 

    Join the Adoption Center and the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network for an Older Youth Matching event. This in-person matching event will bring together the amazing youth and prospective families to meet, hang out, and get to know each other.

    This event will be open to families with an approved family profile/home study, as well as youth age 12 and up. There will be guided activities for families and youth, which will provide many opportunities for everyone to really engage with one another!

    • Title: Adoption Center Older Youth Matching Event
    • When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Time: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
    • Where: Southeastern PA (Philadelphia Area); The exact location will be shared once successfully registered
    • Registration: Register a youth | Register a family

    Saturday, April 11, 2026
    The Children's Institute Growing Families Through Adoption Matching Event 

    Registration for the 19th Annual Growing Families Through Adoption matching event is now open for agencies and families to register! We plan to accommodate as many agency tables as possible, so register early!

    The keynote speakers are Maranda and Darien Karenbauer. They were speakers at the Statewide Summer Conference last June and we are very excited to share them with all of you!

    • Title: The Children's Institute Growing Families Through Adoption Matching Event
    • When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
    • Where: The Children's Institute, 6301 Northumberland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
    • Registration: https://www.amazingkids.org/gfta

    Tuesday, April 21, 2026
    More Than a Glance: An Inquiry Hour with Mazi - Series

    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, April 21, 2026
    • Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Where: Online platform via Microsoft Teams
    • For more information: please contact Liz Cady lizcady@maziadoption.org
     
    • Other dates: Tuesday, June 9, 2026; Tuesday, August 18, 2026; Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and Tuesday, December 15, 2026

    Saturday, May 2, 2026
    All Abilities, All Love - An Adoption and Disability Inclusion Discussion and Matching Event for Families and Professionals

    Every child deserves a loving, supportive family. Join Bethanna for an inspiring and informative event focused on adoption for children with disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, and other diverse needs.

    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.