Good morning, welcome to our series sharing National Holidays in November, 2021. Did you know this month celebrates National Adoption Month? If you know someone who was adopted its time to celebrate them. My mom supposedly had a son she gave up for adoption is what my dad had told me at one time.
I wish I knew if it was true or not because I would have liked to find him as he is my brother. But with both of my parents passing away I don’t know how I could find out if this is true or not. If you know how I can find out leave me a comment PLEASE.
November is National Adoption Month the the month when the broader community acknowledges the efforts of those whose lives have been impacted by adoption and who facilitate the process. This Holiday helps spread awareness and encourages all of us to learn about adoption. National Adoption Month celebrates the families who have grown through adoption. The Holiday also recognizes the journey of the many children who are still waiting for their destined families. National Adoption Month further highlights the thousands of children worldwide in need of adoption, and how easy it is to make a difference even if you cannot adopt.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
Every year, there are more and more children in need of finding safe families. National Adoption Month sheds light on the process and the positive impacts of adoption.
Did you know the state of Massachusetts was the first State to promote adoption-related efforts in 1976. Governor Mike Dukakis announced the first week of November as “Adoption Week” to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system. This idea slowly grew in popularity and spread throughout the Nation. Following this, in 1984, President Gerald R. Ford made adoption week a National Event. As the popularity of this week grew, more states started participating’ Then it became difficult to fit all the events into a period of seven days. This was when President Bill Clinton extended the week-long event into a whole month long Holiday, which came to be known as National Adoption Month, and the Holiday is celebrated globally.
National Adoption Month is a chance for all — individuals, families, businesses, organizations, communities, States, and the government — to celebrate adoption. Adoption is encouraged as a positive way to grow families and take children out of foster care. Many fundraising drives, dinners, community activities, and awareness campaigns are held all across the Nation to observe National Adoption Month.
Did you know National Adoption Month also includes National Adoption Day, which is November 20th. This day is observed in Courthouses all across the Country, where thousands of adoptions are finalized simultaneously on the Saturday directly after National Adoption Day. This is when courts are encouraged to deal with the backlog of adoptions on this Holiday. World Adoption Day is also celebrated in this month, on November 9th, and is a global awareness day for this important cause.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
- There are many events organized being held across the Country during National Adoption Month. You can attend local events being organized in your Town or Cit. Or you can educate yourself about adoption procedures, laws, and History.
- Help out at your local Foster Care Organizations or a Children’s Home during your free time. Which if you don’t know of one you can find online through Google or check with your City Hall. Even the tiniest efforts can make a huge difference in these children’s lives. You can even mentor a child who is aging out of the foster care system.
- Spread awareness about adoption with your friends and family. Encourage your neighborhoods, communities, Cities, and States to take a stand on adoption. You can even spread the word via Social Media by sharing adoption-positive articles and links.
5 FACTS ABOUT ADOPTION
- Did you know one out of every 25 families with children have an adopted child.
- Around 7 million Americans are adopted.
- The time an average child waits for an adoptive family is more than three years.
- The U.S. has more adoption agencies than any other country.
- Americans adopt children globally, although the numbers have declined since 2018.
WHY IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH IMPORTANT?
- November allows us to honor families with adopted children and make a difference. They are the reasons why adoption is seen as a positive way to grow a family. They inspire many others, who see how beneficial the process is for those involved.
- All children deserve a safe, loving, and supportive environment to grow. National Adoption Month spreads awareness about adoption and sheds light on the hundreds of thousands of children waiting for families.
- National Adoption Month provides everyone the opportunity to get involved by encouraging our neighborhoods, Communities, Cites, and States to take a stand. November also gives businesses and companies a chance to support adoption.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
