Family Services of Metro Orlando, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering communities to create possibilities for children and families, on Wednesday announced two ceremonies to celebrate National Adoption Day in Orange and Osceola counties. More than 30 children will be adopted from foster care at these ceremonies, more than were adopted during similar ceremonies in 2009.
National Adoption Day ceremonies will be held at:
Orange County Courthouse
Courtroom 23
Friday, November 12, 2:00 p.m.
425 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
Judge Robert M. Evans presiding
Osceola County Courthouse
Courtroom 5A
Friday, November 19, 1:00 p.m.
2 Courthouse Square
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Judge Margaret T. Waller presiding
In central Florida, there are enough children awaiting adoption to fill fifteen classrooms.
“Over the past three years, privatization of child welfare services has led to record-setting numbers of children adopted from foster care, many of whom were in foster care for many years prior to privatization,” stated Greg Kurth, CEO of Family Services of Metro Orlando. “We are thrilled to once again be able to celebrate the joy of adoption with so many new families.”
“Every adoption is a rebirth of hope for a child whose hope was nearly lost,” said Judge Robert M. Evans who will preside over the ceremonies in Orange County for the twelfth year in a row. “On National Adoption Day, we can all join in the celebration.”
National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the 129,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.
Over 1,100 foster children have found forever families through Family Services of Metro Orlando.
