Casey Joins in National Adoption Day

Shelton CT, 10/15/02: On November 23, Casey Family Services Executive Director Raymond Torres will join state and national officials across the country in observing National Adoption Day. The event is designed to recognize the decision by many court officials to open their doors on a Saturday to finalize the adoptions of children from foster care.

Each year, National Adoption Day is sponsored by a coalition of national partners -- The Alliance for Children's Rights, Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Freddie Mac Foundation, and Target -- to draw special attention to the 134,000 foster children waiting for adoption in the United States and to celebrate all loving families who adopt.

"This was also an opportunity for the parents in New England and nationwide who have ever considered adoption to learn more about the process," said Raymond Torres. "If less than 1 percent of families who consider adoption pursued adopting a child, all of the eligible children in foster care would have a home."

In Hartford, Connecticut, Washington, DC, and cities and state capitals across the nation, National Adoption Day was marked by activities to celebrate adoptions and educate would-be parents about the adoption process, support for adoption parents and opportunities to meet families of adopted children.

For more information, contact: www.nationaladoptionday.org