Break out your paintbrushes, sketchbooks, stencils and cameras. In celebration of Adoption Awareness Month 2011, the Adoptive Families Association of BC is hosting Expressions of Family, an art contest for youth who have experienced adoption or foster care.

Youth ages 12 to 24 are invited to submit their visual art expressions (paintings, drawings, photographs, etc.) of family, adoption or permanence. The submissions will be judged by a professional art panel and chosen works will be featured in travelling galleries throughout British Columbia during this November's Adoption Awareness Month.

Hundreds of dollars in prizes will be awarded, including digital video cameras and gift certificates for art supplies. Submissions must be received by Friday, Oct. 7. Winners will be notified of selection results by Friday, Oct. 21.

The B.C. government works in partnership with the Adoptive Families Association of BC to increase the number of children being adopted and to raise awareness about children who are waiting to join loving and secure homes through adoption.

The Adoptive Families Association of BC is a non-profit organization that supports adoptive families and promotes adoption. Since 1977, AFABC has been dedicated to finding a family for every child through adoption awareness, education and support.

Quick Facts:

• In the past five years, 1,443 of B.C.'s children and youth in care have found permanent families through adoption.
• In recent years, greater focus has been placed on adoptions for older children, with 23 young people over the age of 12 finding forever families last year.
• More than 1,200 children in B.C are waiting for a permanent family, with over 500 children ready to be adopted right away.
• More than 260 children in care began the adoption process last year and, on average, over 270 children and youth in B.C. have been adopted annually over the past 10 years.

Learn More:

For more details on the contest, how to make submissions, travelling galleries and Adoption Awareness Month, visit: www.bcadopt.com

or email: kzgonc@bcadoption.com

To find resources about adoption options or information and answers to questions regarding adoption, please go to: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/index.htm or: www.bcadopt.com

Media Contacts:

Cindy Rose
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development Communications Office
250 356-1639

Karen Zgonc
AFABC Communication Coordinator
604 320-7330, ext. 108
kzgonc@bcadoption.com