November 2020 – Article 1:
November is National Adoption Month. To highlight the rewards of adoption, Georgia Right to Life’s Director of Education, April Fry, shared her personal story.
“Alina is our pride and joy,” Fry said. “Having her as part of our family has been more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.”
Fry also says adoption is a sanctity of human life issue: “Children don’t just need a permanent place to call home. They need to know they are created in the image of God and are loved by God.”
Her story represents a very special situation. Biologically, Alina is April’s niece. Her mother, April’s sister, was unable to raise a child.
“My husband Jason and I got a call from a social worker in February of 2013 saying that as a relative I needed to immediately come to the hospital and take custody of Alina to prevent her from going into foster care,” Fry said. “There was no doubt in our minds that we would take Alina as our own.”
The adoption process was completed in 2014, and Alina is now a happy and loving seven-year-old. Her favorite activities include Irish dancing, singing, swimming, and playing soccer with Jason.
While her situation was unique since Alina is her blood relative, Fry is quick to point out that she is eager to adopt other children. “Our hearts are open to providing a home for other children desperately in need of a forever family.”
National Adoption Week
The idea of promoting adoption started as a statewide event in Massachusetts in 1976. President Reagan proclaimed it National Adoption Week in 1984, and President Clinton expanded it to a month-long event in 1995.
This year’s theme is “Engage Youth: Listen and Learn.”
Promoted by the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Child Welfare System, the campaign provides resources and tips designed to help child welfare and legal professionals develop and support both formal and informal opportunities for young people to effectively share their thoughts and perspectives.
The bureau says their stories can enhance recruitment practices, offer training resources for families, and other permanency support services.
Many Children Need Their Forever Home
While exact numbers are impossible, it is estimated that there are currently 125,000 children and youth waiting to be adopted.
It is not uncommon for children to wait two or more years to be adopted, while 20 percent can wait five or more years.
The average age of adoption is eight years old, and the older the child the less likely they will ever be adopted before reaching adulthood.
At the same time, it is believed that at least two million couples are eager to adopt a child or youth.
“Being part of a permanent family is so critical for children in these troubled times,” Fry said. “I encourage any couple thinking about adoption to prayerfully consider making it a reality.”
Sources: childwelrare.gov; sosillinois.org.
By Wayne DuBois
Georgia Right to Life
Media Relations Advisor