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The Children's Home Society of North Carolina, which has been serving North Carolina families for more than a century, is considered one of North Carolina's leading resources in adoption and foster care.

Services include pregnancy counseling, family and therapeutic foster care, domestic adoption for infants and older children and adoption support services.

CHS has four facilities, including its headquarters, in Greensboro and offices in seven other cities across the state.

There are more than 3,000 N.C. children waiting for families to adopt them through CHS. Many pictures of these children and information on adoption/foster care can be found on the CHS Web site.

Families are drawn to adoption for many reasons, said Sandy Cook, executive director of CHS since 1991, who is responsible for all program services at CHS.

"Some look to adoption due to struggles with infertility, some feel compelled due to their own past experiences, some feel 'called' to help children, and some choose adoption as a means to help their family grow," Cook said. "Whatever brings an individual or family into the realm of adoption, CHS is here to guide their journey."

In 2007-08, CHS helped 257 children find comfort in loving foster homes, and for 197 children, CHS found a safe, loving and permanent family. The agency assisted 226 birth parents and provided 1,113 clients with post-adoption services.

Founded in 1902 in Greensboro by a group of local businessmen, who later became the Chamber of Commerce, CHS has placed more than 13,500 children into adoptive homes.

"I still get chills and teary eyes when I hear a child say, 'The thing I wish for most in life is a family,'" Cook said.

"As long as we hear those words, how can we not respond and work to make it happen?"

Cook has worked for CHS for 34 years and is familiar with every aspect of this nonprofit agency.

"The greatest rewards have been to see the resilience/courage of children who have faced great obstacles in their lives find love and security in a family where they can blossom and grow."

Cook said it's also rewarding to see the remarkable strength of families who open their hearts and homes to welcome a child into their lives and family.

"Many folks are interested in adoption, but think of it only as welcoming a very young child," she said.

Adoption involves much more, she said, including older children who might have a history of instability and abuse.

Today in the U.S., adoption agencies are asked to place very few young children/infants for adoption, Cook said.

There are "open adoption" plans directly between parents who are seeking to adopt. Also, many prospective adoptive parents prefer international adoption as the children available overseas are often younger.

"At CHS, we seek families who are interested in opening their hearts and homes to a child and to love them unconditionally and be willing to 'be there' for them," Cook said,

This can require lots of hard work to help the child develop and become the best person that he/she can be, Cook said.

"Everyone must be loved and valued for who they are and what they bring to the family," she said.

Cook said there are approximately 10,000 children in foster care in North Carolina and an adoption plan for about 3,000 of them -- providing the agency can find the right families.

CHS provides counseling and support for birth parents considering adoption for their unborn child/children. This includes exploring alternatives, such as assistance in securing health care, housing and talking with family members. If adoption is chosen, CHS stands ready to provide adoption- related services.

The agency seeks to recruit, train and support families willing to welcome a child into their family, either in a temporary foster care situation or in a permanent adoptive family.

"The children often present challenges, as they have been removed from their birth families and most have suffered abuse and/or neglect," Cook said. "Their behaviors may reflect this instability, and they need great care and nurturing. It takes great skill, persistence and care from foster/adoptive families to work with the children. We have learned that adoption is a life-long process, and families need ongoing support to address issues as children grow and develop."

Cook said she would like to "work myself out of a job." She feels it would be ideal if all families had the resources they need to be loving and safe.

"Unfortunately, there are still children and families who need assistance," said Cook. "Thus the mission of CHS continues, which is 'To promote the right of every child to a permanent, safe and loving home.'"

To contact Peggy Longmire, call her at 288-9040 or e-mail her at rlongmire@triad.rr.com