Adoptee FAQs
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted with all supporting documentation requested prior to closing date in order to be be considered. No exceptions will be allowed. The link to the application can be found here. Please be sure to read through all the form requirements prior to submitting the form and be sure to review our policies and guidelines
Who Can Apply?
Household must contain one or more minors to qualify; ages 0-17. Exceptions can be made if a child 18 years of age still attends high school. (A valid student Identification card will be required)
Household must have legal guardianship and/or custody agreements of the child residing in the home. Please review the Adoptee Policies for eligibility.
Household must meet income eligibility guidelines which is located in the Adoptee Policies.
Households participating in the Helping Seacoast families Christmas program are not allowed to apply to other Facebook charities. They may apply for help to Salvation Army and/or Toys for Tots.
The towns we serve are as follows:
New Hampshire: Rollinsford, Rochester, Dover, Stratham, Somersworth; Portsmouth, Strafford, Seabrook, Exeter, Newmarket, Barrington, Lee, Hampton, Rye, Raymond, Epping, Farmington, Newington, Milton, Durham, Epping and Madbury.
Maine: Eliot, Kittery, York, Lebanon, S Berwick, N Berwick, Berwick and Sanford.
What happens once applications are submitted?
Once applications are reviewed and verified to be eligible, all families are put into a random generator to be chosen to receive help. We only choose 5 families at a time. Once all families have been adopted, we then choose another 5 families thru the random generator.
What happens once you are adopted?
Once your family is adopted, an admin will reach out to let you know. If your adopter chooses to be known, the admin (or moderator) will then create a Facebook chat with you as the adoptee, the adopter, and the admin. All communication you have with your adopter, must take place in the chat which is monitored by the admin (or moderator). If a member is found to be communicating with their adopter outside of the chat created by the admin, it is ground for automatic removal of the group and the adoptee will not be eligible for help at any time.
What if my adopter wants to be anonymous?
Adopters have the choice to be known or anonymous to their family. If they are anonymous, the admin (or moderator) will be your point of contact. If the adopter has any questions, they will get channeled through the admin. Your gifts will delivered to an admin, and then you will have 48 hours to pick up from the time the admin notifies you they have your gifts.
Where do I get my gifts?
You will make arrangements to get the gifts once the adopter and/or admin (or moderator) reach out letting you know they are ready. You have 48 hours to pick up your gifts from the designated spot as agreed to by all. If your adopter is anonymous, you will be hearing from an admin to advise where to get the gifts. Please remember, as admins, we are helping a ton of families, your flexibility is most appreciated.
Will my gifts come wrapped?
No gifts will be wrapped before they are delivered.
What happens on Christmas?
Once your kids open their gifts, you have agreed to post pics a minimum of 5 photos per child to the HSF Facebook page by 12/29/2022 or share with Village of Hope directly to privately share with your adopter, as a way of expressing gratitude towards your adopters. We want to see smiling faces and more than just a couple of pictures per child. Remember, if it wasn't for these adopters, these kids wouldn't have a Christmas.