Celebrating Forever Homes: National Adoption Day in Mecklenburg County

On Saturday, Nov. 19, children and their families will be recognized at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 East Fourth St., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, for their adoption in celebration of National Adoption Day. Beginning at 10 a.m., the event will feature a drive-through parade including music, treats, and gifts for the families. District Court Judge Faith Fickling-Alvarez will preside over the program. After the parade, families will participate in a carnival-themed celebration to commemorate the day.

Since 2000, National Adoption Day has been celebrated on or around the Saturday before Thanksgiving to finalize and celebrate adoptions from foster care. National Adoption Day is particularly focused on the more than 115,000 children in the United States that are waiting in foster care for an adoptive family. The average wait for a child in foster care to be adopted is nearly three years. More than 20,000 children age out of the foster care system every year with no family or permanent home.

This year, the court will recognize a total of 43 youth who have received decrees between November 2021 and October 2022. Eleven of these children are 12 years of age or older. Thirty-seven of these youth were adopted through Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS)-Youth and Family Services Division from foster care and six were adopted through Mecklenburg County DSS Interstate Compact for Placement of Children (ICPC).

Sponsors of this year's Adoption Day in Mecklenburg County include Mecklenburg County DSS-Youth and Family Services Division, the 26th Judicial District Guardian ad Litem Program, and the Trial Court Administrator's Office-District 26. Special thanks to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, Mecklenburg Guardian ad Litem Advocacy Foundation, LB&B Associates, Kappa Alpha Theta-UNC Charlotte, Be Your Own Hero, Congregations for Kids, and Elevation Church.