National Adoption Day is a nationwide event originally created to help raise awareness of all the children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted by their forever families. Recent studies indicate that there are approximately 110,000 such children in the United States foster care system today. On average, these children will stay in foster care for around three years before they are adopted. The event is also a day to celebrate the children and families whose adoption journeys are ending, and many families choose to have their adoptions finalized on this day. Since National Adoption Day was first celebrated, approximately 65,000 children have had their adoptions finalized as a part of this special event.
This past Saturday was Child Crisis Arizona celebrated National Adoption Day with the children and families of Maricopa County. The National Adoption Day event, held at the Durango Juvenile Court, was a joyous, family-friendly affair complete with face painting & balloon animal stations, bouncy castles, games, photo booths and all kinds of kid-friendly street performers. For all the entertainment, however, nothing could match the energy, excitement, and diversity of the families who turned out to finalize their adoptions, each with their own unique adoption story. A third-generation adoptee was excited to finally adopting a child of his own, an LGBT couple was there adopting for the first time, one family was opening their home for the 7th(!) time in order to adopt their niece, a great aunt making the leap to adopt her 3 young nieces and nephews. The diversity of these stories reflects what many people may not know - adoption can be an option for everyone! You don't have to match to be a family.
Outside on the courthouse lawn, Child Crisis Arizona got into the party spirit at our National Adoption Day booth, where kids played a game to win a prize (or two!) off of our grand prize table or out of our mystery candy bag. Meanwhile, inside the courthouse, our adoption specialists were busy supporting 11 children and 9 families as they finalized their adoptions on National Adoption Day. As the judgments came down finalizing each adoption the news was met with happy tears, hugging and lots of laughter.
Are you or someone you know considering adoption? Read stories from real parents who have fostered or adopted on our blog, or find our more information about Child Crisis Arizona’s Adoption Services by visiting our website, calling us directly at 480.834.9424 or attending one of our upcoming adoption orientation sessions!
