The Celebration began at 9:00 a.m. on the 3rd floor of the Kent County Courthouse.
Family Court Chief Judge Michael B. Forte welcomed over 100 participants to the event.
Although this year’s celebration of National Adoption Day was a little different than the past years due to pandemic, the Family Court worked tenaciously to make sure that the day was memorable to all who were a part of it.
“The statutory mission of the Family Court is, in part, to ‘provide safe homes and families for children.’ Today, many agencies, individuals, and sponsors have partnered with Family Court to bring 12 of our children to the place where they belong in a forever home,” said Chief Judge Forte.
Chief Judge Forte continued, “The Thanksgiving season is a fitting time to celebrate the creation of 11 forever homes for these children. For this I am grateful.”
The Rhode Island Judiciary has not only demonstrated how opening the doors of the Court on a Saturday can change peoples’ lives but, more importantly, how opening your hearts can have a tremendous impact on the lives of those children who need a place to call home.
The Rhode Island Family Court has granted 279 adoptions during this calendar year to date. National Adoption Day not only celebrates the adoptions of children that are finalized after days, months and years in foster care. It is a day that also raises awareness of the need for more foster parents and homes to become forever homes for the many children waiting – so the dreams of children and families can come true.
Other Highlights of the event included:
Many community sponsors made the day a real celebration, including: Dunkin Brands; HASBRO; Cardi Brothers; Adoption Rhode Island; Deb Bettencourt Photography; Kay Jewelers; Pepsi; Providence Children’s Museum; Campanella’s, Henry’s Tree Farm, Prestige Dance & Fitness Studio, Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House, Thirsty Beaver and many local restaurants and stores. Each child that will have their adoption finalized will receive a special gift bag filled with toys, stuffed animals, a frame for a donated portrait of their new Forever Family, gift cards and certificates, etc.
The Cardi Brothers donated personalized generous gift certificates and gift bags to each child that was adopted. Deb Bettencourt Photography took portraits of the new “Forever Families” and will be donating a print to each family when printed thanks to Printmakers, Inc. There was a fantastic balloon maker, Ron Sargent, Balloon Creations Galore, who entertained the children.
If you would like more information, contact
Linda Lynch, Director, Women’s Services Department, Rhode Island Family Court
401-458-5026 or llynch@courts.ri.gov