Each year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, we recognize National Adoption Day. This day was first recognized in 2000, following the coordinated efforts of several national organizations that are dedicated to advocating for children’s rights and to helping foster children find the safe, loving and permanent home they deserve. In recognition of the first National Adoption day, these organizations worked with lawyers, adoption agencies, social workers/child advocates and the courts to assist in hundreds of adoptions. The first year focused on nine jurisdictions in the United States, but the geographic scope of the day quickly expanded, as did the number of adoptions.
As part of National Adoption Day, events are held in cities nationwide. These events not only bring awareness to the need for adoptions of foster children, but actually assist adoptive families with paperwork and legal guidance needed to facilitate the adoption and celebrate the adoptions once completed. While the events look a little different this year because of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, National Adoption Day will still take place across the country -- and will continue to help achieve the goal of bringing children and families together.
Adoption of foster children is an amazing and life-changing experience for both the child and the family. Awareness and recognition of the need for adoptions should be recognized year-round, and National Adoption Day helps to achieve that. To all of the parents and families who have welcomed a new family member through adoption, thank you for helping to give those children the home and love they deserve!
;)
