Participates in "Family Portrait Project" to raise awareness about the importance of adoption

 

Washington (November 6, 2013) - Senator Edward J. Markey (DMass.) is joining with Massachusetts families, other members of Congress and President Obama in commemorating November as National Adoption Awareness Month. This year, Saturday, November 23rd marks the celebration of National Adoption Day, a day that Massachusetts expects will see over 200 children adopted throughout the Bay State.

 

"This National Adoption Day, I express my gratitude to those families in Massachusetts and across the country who have shown what a difference their love and generosity can make in the lives of waiting children," said Senator Markey. "As we celebrate the tens of thousands children who have moved from foster care to families as a result of this special day, let us also be mindful of the many youths who remain in the foster care system and could use the same care and support going forward."

 

There are an estimated 104,000 children in foster care in the United States who are waiting to be adopted. However, these youth are at risk of becoming among the 26,000 who age out of foster care each year without a family.

 

The goals of "National Adoption Day" include:

  • • Finalize adoptions from foster care in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico;
  • • Celebrate and honor all families who adopt;
  • • Raise awareness about the children in foster care waiting for adoption;
  • • Encourage others to adopt children from foster care; and
  • • Build collaboration among local adoption agencies, courts and advocacy organizations.

 

In an effort to raise awareness for National Adoption Month, Senator Markey is partnering with "Voice for Adoption," a leading national adoption advocacy organization, to support its Family Portrait Project. During the month of November, the Senator is proudly displaying in his Capitol Hill office the photo of the BensteadGarcia family from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, who has adopted from the foster care system. 

 

To learn more about Voice for Adoption visit www.voiceforadoption.org or about National Adoption Day visit www.nationaladoptionday.org . To find out more about adoption in Massachusetts, call the Mass. Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 5484802.