November is National Adoption Awareness Month, and the Dallas Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will be celebrating National Adoption Day.
Hosted on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 19, the National Adoption Day event will have as many as 40 Dallas children living in the state’s protective care until they are adopted.
National Adoption Day activities will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center.
The event focuses on raising awareness of the nationwide effort to transition more than 115,000 children from foster care to permanent homes. More than 75,000 children have been adopted into 400 communities across the United States, thanks to National Adoption Day.
Rosanne Lewis, a spokesperson for Dallas CASA, told The Dallas Express that they are excited about this event, especially because of a particular adoption.
“We’re super happy about this one because it’s hard as a teenager to really connect,” Lewis said.
“This one,” referring to an upcoming adoption, “they’ve fallen in love with each other.”
Lexi, a 15-year-old girl, has been successfully adopted and is taking on the last name of her new adoptive parents. Lexi’s adoption will be finalized on Saturday at the event.
Lewis explained that a teenager being adopted is a very big deal.
“When you’re not six years old and cute, it’s difficult,” she suggested. “The older you get, the harder it is.”
Plans for the National Adoption Day event include visits from superheroes from Capes for Kindness, a photo booth, balloons, treats from the Northwood Woman’s Club, and more.
“The atmosphere in the normally staid and quiet halls at Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center turns jubilant on National Adoption Day,” the press release read. There will be “joyful and tearful families and children becoming part of forever families.”
Lewis continued to note that the environment for National Adoption Day is “very festive” and “upbeat.” New families will adorn matching t-shirts with the date, and some will say, “Today is the first day of forever.”
