Photos and story by Elizabeth Brumley / Murphy News Service
Teddy bears and a high fives from an appointed judge for each child seemed only appropriate after their final hearings for official adoption on Nov. 21.
Nineteen families raised their right hands in declaration of their commitment and 30 Hennepin County children were officially adopted into their new families.
Tissues were passed around in the court room while new parents finalized their adoption during the 16th annual National Adoption Day at the Juvenile Justice Center in Minneapolis. After the hearing, the 19 families celebrated with cupcakes, a craft table, tiaras and coffee for the adults while boxes of tissues were still being passed around.
“Every child deserves a home where they are loved, supported, and have the best possible chance to succeed,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene. “Adoption Day is a fantastic way to celebrate the importance of family in providing children with a nurturing environment that allows them to develop into the best possible version of themselves.”
There are 10,000 children still waiting to be adopted in Minnesota and after policy changes that occurred in 2015, protection for children has become much more strict, causing a higher number of foster homes needed.
Often children that need to be adopted are older school-aged children, teenagers and groups of siblings that would be best to stay together.
Debra Moore, of North Minneapolis, already has adopted two sisters, and Saturday morning completed the sibling trio by officially adopting her 6-year-old grandson. She said it has been a long hard struggle, but she slept soundly the night before because the battle was over, and finally her son could be officially called her son.
“I feel that I’m doing the right thing once I look into that kid’s eyes and see that he’s not afraid,” she said. “They give me hugs and tell me they love me. I know I’m doing something right as long as they are happy and I can see it.”
Elizabeth Brumley is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.