COURT HOUSE – The children sat amongst the brightly colored balloons, dressed in their finest clothing and snacking on goldfish crackers and cake. Their loved ones surrounded them, smiles stretched wide across their faces. Nov. 15 would be a day they would all remember, for on this, National Adoption Day, they would officially become families.
Thirteen children in Cape May County were officially adopted at the County Courthouse during an Adoption Program that recognized the tremendous work of the Family Division of the Superior Court, the Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA), and the families who opened their hearts and homes to children in need.
“This is such an exciting event, to see all the children, the families, and the support for your families here,” said Florine Alexander, the family division manager for Atlantic and Cape May counties. “We know that you are ready to complete the journey you have been on.”
National Adoption Day helps to raise awareness for the 100,000 children currently in foster care who are waiting for permanent, loving families.
Assignment Judge Julio Mendez spoke of his excitement in uniting the families. “I am so impressed by all of you for opening up your homes and your hearts to the children that have come to you,” Mendez said. “I look forward to handling the adoptions today.”
Charles Jones, the director of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, praised the decision made by the families in the room. “You’ve heard it said that you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family. Not necessarily true, right?
Sometimes you do get to choose your family,” Jones said. “Every child that’s here today is a child that’s been chosen by you.”
Jones, whose wife adopted three children prior to their marriage, referenced a needlepoint picture of hers. “I felt it was appropriate for today,” Jones said. “Not flesh of my flesh, not bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn’t grow under my heart, but in it.”
Cape May County Surrogate Susan Sheppard presented CASA Board Member David Hieb with a proclamation acknowledging the importance of the organization and the volunteers who support 390 children currently in foster care in Atlantic and Cape May Counties. CASA provided a breakfast spread for everyone in attendance, as well as a new teddy bear for each child.
“CASA volunteers are doing work that is unbelievably important for Atlantic and Cape May County,” said Hieb. “We have an ultimate goal of having every child in a forever home.”
As the children and families anxiously waited for their names to be called, Sheppard too, was excited about what was to come. “And without further ado,” Sheppard said. “Let’s go get some bears!”
To contact Kirby Reed, email kreed@cmcherald.com.
NOTE: A total of 16 children were adopted in Cape May County as part of National Adoption Day. Only 13 children had been adopted at the time this article was written.
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