November has long been considered the month of homecoming–families getting together to share traditional food and renew bonds. Unfortunately for about 75,000 children in California, there is no home for them to go to.
To emphasize the need for these children to find a forever home, November has been declared National Adoption Month. Statewide, California communities will promote and celebrate awareness of adoption with adoption finalization, agency fairs, candlelight vigils, and ceremonies where willing families will be urged to take the step to welcome into their homes a foster child or other local children seeking adoptive families.
November 21st will culminate many different events as the nation and the state celebrate the 10th Annual National Adoption Day.
Studies have shown that as many as 1 in 8 families have considered adoption, but don’t know where to begin the process. On November 21, in Sacramento, we will be hosting an event where these families can work with state and local foster care agencies, local adoption centers, law firms, child advocates, and courts to get information about the process and to understand the legal and financial issues involved in the process.
As we prepare to gather around Thanksgiving tables, we should remember that every child deserves and needs the love of a family. Statistics show that children in foster care who reach the age of 18 without the love and stability of a family or permanent connection are some of the highest at-risk children in the state. Within two to four years of leaving foster care, 50% of these foster children will be on drugs, homeless, in prison, or dead.
However, when these kids are provided the love of a stable, caring family, they go on to thrive, becoming strong individuals who may become healthy, loving parents that break the cycle of neglect and abuse.To find an adoption agency in your area and information about National Adoption Day activities on the internet visit: https://www.california-adoptions.org
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Adopting a foster child is a way for each family in California to make a direct, meaningful, and lasting beneficial contribution to the future of our state.
