Faces of older children, not babies. Faces of boys, fewer of girls. Faces with tiny scars from cleft lip surgery.

These are the new faces of international adoption.

This changing need in adoption reflects broader changes in many of the countries where we work. Economies are growing, giving more families the resources to care for their children. Domestic adoption is becoming more socially accepted, enabling more children to find adoptive families in their birth countries.

Reasons vary. But the outcome is the same.

The children most requested by adoptive families – healthy infant girls – are now finding families in their birth countries. Finally, children with special needs, older children and boys are first in line for international adoption!

Many people are unaware of this shift in international adoption, or do not understand the reasons. And news coverage of these changes is not always so positive – emphasizing the challenges, rather than the joys, of older child and special needs adoption.

This November, you can help change the conversation! National Adoption Month provides a great opportunity to raise awareness – and understanding – about the children who need families today. Will you help?

Every week day during November, Holt will feature a special waiting child on Holt's blog. Repost the child's story to your friends and family, print prayer cards to guide prayers for the featured children, and download a bulletin insert to share with your church.

You don't have to be an adoption expert, just a passionate and informed advocate for children.

Here are several ways to make a difference today in the lives of children:

• Every week day in November, visit Holt's blog to get to know a featured waiting child. Then re-post the child's story to help find an adoptive family.
• Download an insert to include in your church bulletin during National Adoption Month.
• Show this Power Point slide on screen during your church pre-service announcements
• Print prayer cards for the featured children who are waiting for adoptive families. Tell your friends and family and commit to praying for them to find families. Please pay close attention to print settings.
• Learn about an extraordinary group of children in the Philippines, and the special program they participated in with Holt staff and volunteers this summer.
• Request Holt's Adoption Information Packet to learn more about adopting a child through Holt International.
• Recommend Holt's introductory online seminar, "Holt Adoption 101," to friends and acquaintances who are considering international adoption.
• Join the Holt Ambassador Network, composed of people who are passionate about raising awareness of the needs of homeless children around the world.
• Start your own adoption journey – apply online today