Smiles everywhere for this adoptive family at the Fulton County Courthouse ©c. releford
Part two of our coverage of the National Adoption Day event finds reflections from judges, more images, and stories of hope, patience and love.
Father and daughter
Wandering through the event, I was struck by the energy of joy and anticipation in the kids and their parents.
You could almost feel them exhale because the day had finally arrived, but also notice their jitters in wanting to finally hold their certificate of adoption.
As Judge Phillip Jackson pointed out, the process of adoption can take anywhere from ” a couple of months to well over a year.”
The Juvenile Justice Fund works year round through the Family Visitation Program to make sure that children find a safe and loving home environment, whether that be with a child’s birth family or with an adoptive family.
Rep. John Lewis & Judge Jackson
It’s all about finding the place that’s right for the child.
Adoption is a big step for our court families and for their children, which is why the practice of making the final legal action of adoption a real celebration and milestone began 10 years ago with then Chief Judge Sanford “Sammy” Jones.
I found a mother and her son seated under a portrait of the late “Sammy” Jones.
Magic in his adoption day
She was wearing a big smile on her face, studying his portrait, and then she told me the story of her adoption which had taken several years.
She persevered, and today was finally the legal mother of “Magic,” a four year old boy in a wheelchair.
She said she’d been working on it since he was three months old, and because Magic had special needs, many had discouraged her from trying to adopt him.
A new family © c releford
Judge Jones, she explained, was different, and encouraged her. He cleared the way for her adoption to go ahead, making special arrangements for her and for Magic. Today her joy was palpable.
Thanks to over 100 volunteers ranging from court personnel, Juvenile Justice Fund members, Boy Scouts and Lions Club, National Adoption Day at the Fulton County Juvenile Court becomes a real standout day for families.
Boy Scouts carry gift basket
The festivities included a full hot meal, a personal message from U.S. Rep. John Lewis, himself an adoptive father, a cake party, customized gift baskets, special activities for the kids, and of course, the official adoption ceremony for each individual family in judges’ chambers.
Judge Phillip Jackson spoke with me about Adoption Day at the Courthouse.
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Martha Turner is the Communications Manager for the
Juvenile Justice Fund
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