WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – Thirty adoptions were completed in southern Illinois before the Thanksgiving holiday.

According to a state news release, 30 foster children finalized their adoptions at the Williamson County Courthouse in Marion on Friday morning, November 22nd.

November is Adoption Awareness Month in Illinois. National Adoption Dayheld annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is a national outreach effort to the more than 108,000 youth in foster care.

“Williams County is excited to host National Adoption Day again this year,” Judge Amanda Byassee Gott said in a news release. “Presiding over adoption proceedings where children find their forever families is one of the highlights of my time as a judge each year. As a juvenile judge, it is my privilege to preside over this final stage of permanency for youth in DCFS care.”

According to the state, 2,184 Illinois children were adopted into permanent families in 2023. They say there are currently 2,841 youth waiting to be adopted. You can click here to learn more about some of them.

“We’ve all heard the expression about giving our children ‘roots’ and ‘wings’ to become successful adults,” said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “I’m excited to celebrate families coming together today and to shine a light on the very special role foster parents play when they open their hearts and homes to children in need. This Adoption Awareness Month, Illinois DCFS especially wants to lift up and thank adoptive parents in Illinois who give children in need their roots by providing connections to the community, including racial, ethnic and cultural identities; and their wings, reminding them that they will always have a safe, supportive and loving family to come home to no matter what.”

For more information on becoming a foster parent, visit dcfs.illinois.gov and click on “Loving Homes” then click on “Become a foster or foster parent.”

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