Twelve Rhode Island Children Adopted Into Their Forever Families
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Twelve Rhode Island Children were adopted by eleven different families on the 18th Annual National Adoption Day on Saturday. The Rhode Island Family Court finalized all twelve adoptions.
Family Court Chief Judge Michael B. Forte presided over the cases at the Kent County Courthouse. He welcomed over 100 participants for the special event. The event was a bit different this year because of Covid restrictions, but those restrictions did not stop the celebration.
In a statement released after the adoptions were final, Chief Judge Forte said, “The statutory mission of the Family Court is, in part, to ‘provide safe homes and families for children.’ Today, many agencies, individuals, and sponsors have partnered with Family Court to bring 12 of our children to the place where they belong in a forever home.”
He went on to say, “The Thanksgiving season is a fitting time to celebrate the creation of 11 forever homes for these children. For this I am grateful.”
The family court has granted 279 adoptions so far in 2021.
The court thanked several sponsors for making the special day possible: Dunkin’, Hasbro, Cardi Brothers, Adoption Rhode Island, Deb Bettencourt Photography, Kay Jewelers, Pepsi, Providence Children’s Museum, Balloon Creations Galore, Campanella’s, Henry’s Tree Farm, Prestige Dance & Fitness Studio, Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House, Thirsty Beaver and other restaurants and shops.
National Adoption Day both celebrates finalized adoptions and raises awareness of the need for foster parents and adoptive parents for children who are still waiting.
