1975

Driven by the advocacy of adoptive parents from CAP, legislation is successfully passed requiring that all children in New York State awaiting adoption be featured in a photolisting. As a result, the publication of the New York State Blue Book—a statewide photolisting of adoptable children—officially begins.

1977

Newly appointed Executive Director Peggy Soule, with support from a grant by the Junior League of Rochester, led The CAP Book, Inc.—now an independent organization—into its next chapter as a regional, multi-state photolisting featuring children who had been waiting the longest for adoptive families.

1980

The CAP Book officially expands into a national photolisting resource for children awaiting adoption.

1995

Peggy Soule, along with two children from The CAP Book, are invited to The White House for a private meeting with Hillary Clinton to discuss child advocacy and adoption.

2005

CAP becomes a proud partner in the National Heart Gallery movement, collaborating with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) School of Photography to showcase a powerful exhibit featuring children from New York State awaiting adoption. In the following years, The Strong Museum hosts a series of Heart Gallery events in partnership with CAP.

2006

With support from a grant by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, CAP launches its Right to be Heard pilot project. This initiative empowers children awaiting adoption to express, in their own words, their interests, challenges, and hopes for the future.

2006

Maryjane K. Link is appointed Executive Director of Children Awaiting Parents, steering the organization towards a stronger focus on adoption and advocacy. She continues to serve as a board member to this day.

2008

Mark Soule is appointed Executive Director of Children Awaiting Parents, following seven years of service on its Board of Trustees. He is the adoptive son of Peggy Soule, one of the organization’s founders and its long-time Executive Director.

2010

CAP partners with the Dave Thomas Foundation for the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program and hires a dedicated family finder to help match the longest-waiting children with adoptive families.

2017

With generous donations from the family of the late Honorable Judge Donald J. Corbett, CAP proudly becomes an official Adoption Agency under the governance of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). In tribute to Judge Corbett’s enduring legacy and lifelong commitment to children and families, the agency will bear his name: The Donald J. Corbett Adoption Agency.

2018

Newly appointed Executive Director of CAP, Lauri McKnight, actively engages counties and communities to expand the Adoption Program throughout Western New York and the Finger Lakes region.

2021

Under the leadership of Executive Director Lauri McKnight, CAP becomes an official Therapeutic Foster Care Program, expanding its reach to partner with more than a dozen counties for foster care placements.

2023

CAP partners with the Seneca County Department of Human Services to provide contractual services for foster care, kinship, and adoption. A dedicated team of five social workers, caseworkers, family engagement specialists, and coached visitation staff work together to support children and families in the county.

2024

Children Awaiting Parents officially unveils its rebrand, adopting the new name Families Thrive Inc. to better reflect the organization’s expanded focus. The agency now offers a wide range of services, including family support, foster care and adoption services, relative care, NYS foster parent training, visitation services, and more.