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Many advantages in life can be acquired. But what of the first resource a helpless child must depend upon?

Without a loving and supportive family, children get a hard start in life. That's why the New Brunswick Adoption Foundation was created.

Through charitable events and public information campaigns, the foundation strives to raise awareness of the number of children waiting for an adoptive parent or parents. In seven years, its efforts have brought about a 400-per-cent increase in the number of adoptions. The public response has been tremendous, but the need continues to exceed the demand.

More than 600 children in New Brunswick are available for adoption. The majority are more than 12 years old. November is national adoption month, and the foundation is calling on all New Brunswickers to ask themselves whether they can be part of the solution.

The issue of adoption has been clouded by myths which lead many people to believe the process is more restrictive than it is. You do not have to earn a particular income to qualify as a prospective parent, nor is there an age limit. Single people, older couples, same-sex couples - all can qualify. The focus is on providing a caring, committed family environment and understanding the needs of the child or children you adopt.

New Brunswickers are known for the depth of their generosity and the length and endurance of family ties. For decades, adoption within extended families or within the community was the norm. Today, the responsibility for child welfare is customarily assigned to the provincial government - but provincial custody and foster care cannot replace the life-long, individual relationship a parent provides.

The New Brunswick Adoption Foundation challenges each of us to ask, is there room and love enough in my life for a child?

Each of those 600-plus children is hoping someone will say "yes."