FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2009
CONTACT: Heather Kemper, Volunteer Publicity Coor.
c 314.799.9292
e heatherkemper@foster-adopt.org
National Adoption Day Creates Tears of Joy for St. Louis Area Families
Family Court Will Give 25 Children in Foster Care Permanent, Loving Families
On Saturday, November 21st, the St. Louis County Family Court (501 S. Brentwood Blvd., 3rd Floor, Clayton) will join courts across the country and opened its doors on National Adoption Day to finalize 25 foster care adoptions and to celebrate all families that adopt.
“Our court is proud to join the hundreds of volunteer lawyers, foster care professionals, child advocates and judges working together nationwide on one special day to celebrate the adoption process”, said Judge Michael Burton.
In the United States, there are approximately 513,000 foster care children, and 129,000 of them are waiting to be adopted. More than 4,000 children in metro St. Louis currently live in foster care, while 500 children are available for adoption and waiting for a family to call their own.
The St. Louis County Family Court, in partnership with Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, the Missouri Children’s Division, CASA, Adoption Exchange, and private lawyers are working together for this event to celebrate the joys of adoption and encourage more families and individuals to give children permanent families through adoption.
“As a parent who has adopted, I want to encourage others to consider opening their families to children who have been waiting,” said Melanie Scheetz, Executive Director of Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. “By giving these children a stable, loving environment, you will make a powerful difference in their lives. And, you get back incredible joys and rewards.”
National Adoption Day is sponsored by a coalition of national partners – The Alliance for Children’s Rights, Casey Family Services, Children’s Action Network, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and Freddie Mac Foundation – to draw special attention to the 129,000 foster children waiting for adoption in the United States and to celebrate all loving families that adopt.
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