First Lady Welcomes Foster and Adoptive Families to the White House

by Zachary Mettler | June 2, 2025 | Family

To celebrate National Foster Care Month, first lady Melania Trump welcomed foster and adoptive families to the White House during the last week of May.

Attending families participated in a series of specially arranged tours and experiences, the White House announced, including tours of the White House and East Wing; conversations with White House staff; and watching President Trump’s Marine One departure from the South Lawn on Friday.

Guests of the East Wing participate in a Foster Care Tour of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Carlos Fyfe)

The White House said each foster and adoptive family departed the White House on Friday with an official copy of President Trump’s proclamation on National Foster Care Month, which the president signed on May 7.

You can watch a brief recap of the foster and adoptive family tours below:

“During National Foster Care Month, the First Lady and I honor the individuals and families who make room in their hearts and homes for thousands of children and youth throughout the year,” the president said in his proclamation.

“Without a question, these dedicated men and women are unsung heroes in our local communities across the country for giving each child in their care as much normalcy as possible while also preparing them to be reunited with family or adopted.”

First lady Melania Trump also issued statement on May 7:

I am proud of the work I have done to support the foster care community during the past several years, and I am pleased to join my husband in honoring the families, caregivers, and advocates who provide shelter, stability, and inspiration to our children.

I acknowledge the tireless dedication of our American foster families who play a critical role in helping children realize their full potential.

The first lady helped secure $25 million in the FY26 budget to provide housing and support for youth transitioning out of foster care.

There are an estimated 343,000 kids in foster care in the United States. The average age of a child in foster care is just eight years old.

Wait No More is Focus on the Family’s foster and adoption ministry, a whole-family approach that provides free resources for foster care and adoptive families – and for churches and allies walking alongside them.

We care deeply about children in foster care, supporting foster care families and encouraging more Christians to get involved in caring for children in need.

You can learn more about Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, and his wife Jean’s foster care journey in the brief video below:

We thank the first lady for honoring foster and adoptive families at the White House. To learn more about adopting, serving as a foster care family, or serving through respite care, please check out our available articles and resources below.

To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

Through Wait No More’s Suitcase Bundle ministry, children in foster care are provided their own suitcase – for their belongings – as well as a teddy bear, handwritten letter and age-appropriate Bible. The suitcase bundle is a simple way to offer dignity, comfort and hope to children in scary, lonely situations.

Related articles and resources:

Wait No More

Wait No More Suitcase Bundle

Transforming Lives Through Foster Care

What You Can Do to Help Kids in Foster Care

Changing the World Through Adoption

Foster Care: A Step of Faith

One Way to Support Foster Families

May is National Foster Care Month

Transitioning: The Final Phase of Foster Care

When Government is Hostile to Christian Foster Parents

Arkansas & Kansas Enact Protections for Faith-Based Adoption, Foster Care