Raising kids in the Richmond area offers lots of opportunities to nurture and foster growth and development for families in every way. Children thrive when they live in homes where they receive and give love. There is nothing more warm and comforting to a child than the comfort, caring, and stability of a loving family.

But many children don’t have families or homes where they feel loved – at least not permanently.

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month and November 17, 2012 is National Adoption Day. It’s a day to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care who are waiting for permanent, loving families. Thankfully, this day has helped thousands of children see their dreams come true by being adopted into families who care about them.

National Adoption Day has helped nearly 40,000 children move from foster care to a permanent family. In November 2012, the National Adoption Day Coalition expects 4,500 children in foster care to be adopted! What an incredible blessing for these young children who only want a place to be loved – and to love.

Virginia Celebrates Families

Governor McDonnell signed the proclamation in support of National Adoption Day for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Richmond Community is holding its annual National Adoption Day Ceremony on November 17, which recognizes the area’s finalized adoptions – past and present. The 2012 theme for this year’s event is Remarkable Families and Children Brought Together Through Adoption. The celebration will include fun activities for kids, including face painting and clowns. The event will also host a formal program with a guest speaker, family photos with judges, and a reception.

For more information, contact Ramona Taylor, Assistant City Attorney, Richmond City Attorney’s Office (804.646.3448 or ramona.taylor@richmondgov.com).

Around Virginia

Other special events are being held on this day around the state. Click here for more information about events in Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Newport News, Norfolk, and other cities.

On National Adoption Day, you can also join Children’s Home Society of Virginia to learn about adoption and foster care. Watch a documentary about the Vermont foster care system and then join an interactive discussion about foster care and the 1,300 foster children in Virginia waiting for adoption.

The panel of experts includes: “Ask Us Who We Are” Director & Producer Bess O’Brien and local foster care teens waiting for adoption, among others. Due to mature themes, the film is recommended for ages 13 and older. 

Byrd Theatre is located at 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Laura Shoop at (804) 353-0191 or by email to Laura Shoop.

Resources

Join thousands of other Americans as they focus on helping children in foster care to find loving, permanent homes. Increasing awareness during November and especially on November 17 is one more way we can help raise kids in the best way possible.

• The CompletelyKidsRichmond website has many local and national resources related to adoption. Click here to access these valuable resources. And please share this information with friends and family so we can spread the word about children who need loving homes.
• You can also learn more about adoption at Wednesday’s Child, sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation, which is a weekly television feature about adoption that helps find permanent, loving, adoptive families for children in foster care.

“Make a difference in the lives of children and families – join us in raising awareness of children waiting in foster care on National Adoption Day,” said Renette Oklewicz, director of the Freddie Mac Foundation and member of the National Adoption Day Coalition. “It is unacceptable that any child should not have the opportunity for a safe, loving and permanent home.” (Source: http://www.nbc12.com/story/19841368/)