Partners with the "Adoptive Family Portrait Project" to raise awareness about the importance of adoption
Washington,
D.C. – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) joins with national
lawmakers and the President in raising awareness about the importance of
adoption by participating in National Adoption Month. On November 1st
2010, President Obama issued a statement proclaiming November as
National Adoption Month.
There are an estimated 424,000
children in foster care in the United States, and 2,837 children waiting
to be adopted in Massachusetts. Last year 57,000 children found their
new families through adoption, and in Massachusetts, 790 children were
adopted out of foster care. However, 115,000 children across the country
are still waiting to be adopted.
This year, Saturday,
November 20th marks the celebration of National Adoption Day. And
Massachusetts will see over 200 children adopted throughout the Bay
State to mark the day.
The goals of "National Adoption Day" include:
Finalize adoptions from foster care in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico;
Celebrate and honor all families who adopt;
Raise awareness about the children in foster care waiting for adoption;
Encourage others to adopt children from foster care; and
Communicate availability and need for post-adoptive services.
“Every
child deserves a family and a loving home. This National Adoption Day, I
honor and thank those families who are providing both by adopting
children who entered the system through no fault of their own,” said
Markey. “By increasing the adoption of children into safe, permanent,
loving homes here in Massachusetts and across the nation, we can ensure
that more children have the opportunity to lead the healthy, successful
lives they deserve.”
Through "Voice for Adoption," a
national adoption advocacy organization, Congressman Markey was
partnered with a constituent family in Massachusetts for their "Adoptive
Family Portrait Project" in an effort to raise awareness and support
National Adoption Month. This family's picture and inspirational
adoption story will be displayed in Markey’s office throughout the month
in honor of National Adoption Month. Last year, 8 jurisdictions
throughout Massachusetts participated in National Adoption Day.
To
learn more about Voice for Adoption visit www.voice-for-adoption.org or
about National Adoption Day visit www.nationaladoptionday.org . To find
out more about adoption in Massachusetts, call the Department of Health
and Human Services at (800) 548-4802.
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