This week is about family gatherings and giving thanks. In that spirit, Michigan designates the Tuesday before Thanksgiving as Adoption Day today. The annual event celebrated in courtrooms across the state finalizing adoptions. WGVU tells us about the importance of meeting the needs of the states foster children.
Across the country there are more than 100,000 children looking to be adopted. In Michigan, there are 13,000 children in the foster care system with roughly 300 in waiting to be adopted. Tuesday, judges in more than 30 Michigan will help to create forever homes for a number of them.
“Adoptions are normally a private ceremony in Michigan but on Adoption Day the families agree to open the process to raise awareness.”
That’s Michigan Supreme Court Justice David F. Viviano.
“So the Family Court judges will finalize the adoptions. About 100 adoptions will take place on Tuesday across the state of Michigan. For those of us who work in the legal system and in the judicial system. It’s really one day in court each year where everyone has a smile on their face. It’s a day that families they never really forget.”
Justice Viviano tells us 2,400 children are looking for permanent homes. Unfortunately many of them age out of foster care never reaching that goal.
“It’s really a good time for all of us to who are thankful for our families to reflect and to think about whether we might have room in our households and room in our hearts to add someone to our family.”
The process can take a number of months and the state does provide some financial and medical resources should families decide to help a young person grow and reach their potential.