Open hearts, homes to kids for adoption
The month of November marks a time where most of us take a look back at the past year and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. It is a time of gratitude and a time for giving. For thousands of child welfare advocates across the country, it is also a time to celebrate National Adoption Month.
First proclaimed in 1995, National Adoption Month celebrates those who have opened their hearts and homes to children in the state’s community of care while also advocating for the need for more adoptive families throughout Florida.
Over the last year, more than 3,000 families across the state opened their hearts and their homes to a child and provided the blessing of a forever family.
Each year, as we continue to work to ensure more children in state care are able to find a safe, permanent home, I reflect on the numerous families, agencies and individuals who work tirelessly each day to care for our children and youth. It takes an entire community of care to recruit safe and loving families that are a match for a child in need of a forever family to call their own.
Throughout November, the Florida Coalition for Children, an organization that advocates on behalf of Florida’s children and families and those who care for them, and the Selfless Love Foundation, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of current and former foster youth through awareness and strategic partnerships, alongside our statewide partners, are promoting the One Heart, One Home campaign, encouraging more Florida families to open their hearts and homes and become an adoptive family.
This year’s campaign seeks to encourage more families to join our community of care by opening their home to one of the more than 800 children and youth in Florida awaiting an adoptive family.
Communities and individuals can join us in celebrating National Adoption Month by helping raise awareness about the hundreds of children and youth in need of a home and by supporting those in your community who have adopted a child. You can also consider opening your own heart and home.