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November is National Adoption Month – Sacramento Shows its Commitment to Our Children

November 12 - Sacramento, California – Nationally, November is recognized at National Adoption Month. With nearly 500,000 children and youth living in foster across the country there is a tremendous need for families to come forward. In California, there are over 62,000 children and youth living in foster care and, of that, over 4,000 lived in the Greater Sacramento Region.

As the capital of California, Sacramento is committed to the children of our state who are living in foster care and are awaiting a permanent family. For many of these children, they have been removed from their birth families due to neglect, abuse and/or abandonment. Left to the system, these children will languish in foster care until they turn eighteen, and if a family or permanent connection is not found for these children, they will become a statistic – without a permanent family or connection, for youth who emancipate from the system at the age of eighteen, within 2-4 years, over 50% will be homeless, addicted to drugs, in prison or dead. This is unacceptable.

On November 21, National Adoption Day, Senator George Runner and Assemblyman Roger Niello will co-host an Adoption Resource Fair at Sunrise Community Church. The purpose of this event is to provide a call to action for area families and individuals who are considering helping a child by becoming an adoptive parent. Local foster/adoption agencies will be available to answer questions and provide resources to prospective families and post-adoption resources to existing foster/adoptive families. The event takes place from 11am – 3pm, with registration at 10:30am. Lunch and child care are available. To register: www.CommunityRenewal.net or call 916.349.1995.

Also taking place on November 21, Sacramento hosts a Calling Out of Names and Candlelight Vigil at the State Capitol from 2pm-5pm, concluding the event with a candlelight vigil on the north steps of the Capitol. Join government officials, child advocates, community leaders, adoptive families and former foster youth for this meaningful event. During the event, speakers will read aloud from a list of names of children living in California foster care. By reading aloud the names of the children who wait, Sacramento will stand up, speak and be the voice for the children who are waiting.

IKEA will recognize the Sierra Forever Families' Family of the Year with a $1,000 gift card during the event at the State Capitol. The Williams family has been selected as the Family of the Year. Michael and Michelle Williams have one biological daughter, Alexis, who is 10-years-old, and have expanded their family with the adoption of a sibling set of four. The children range in age from 20 months to 4 years. They truly are a wonderful family.

For those who are considering adopting a child, there are many resources available and tax incentives as well that will assist you in making the decision to welcome a child into your heart and home.

For more information on National Adoption Month and the activities taking place to support youth permanency, please contact: Sara Hanson at 916.368.5114 or visit www.sierraff.org