- April 24, 2024
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The Cowher family of Ormond Beach are all smiles as Ava, Ayden and Nicholas officially join their family. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Adoption creates a "ripple effect of happiness and hope," said Amanda Bailey at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Tyler Caban Ramos says his new name into the microphone at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Williams family welcomes Eric into their lives forever at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Eure family, of Palm Coast, welcomed John into their family at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Earnests, of New Smyrna Beach, officially adopt Gavin at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Izaiah Curington munches on snacks as he waits for his turn to be adopted at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kinsley DeBose's mom Jane gets emotional after the papers are signed. She's had Kinsley since she was two weeks old. "I had lost hope that I would never, ever have another child," she said. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
David and Dominic join the Peña family, of Port Orange, at the National Adoption Day event on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
National Adoption Day is one of Tiffany Garten's favorite days, she said. Garten is an adoption supervisor at CPC. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
For some, Nov. 22 was an ordinary day. But for 23 children, it was the day they officially became part of their forever families.
The National Adoption Day event at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach finalized the adoption of these children into 15 different families from Volusia, Flagler and Putnam County. Hosted by the Community Partnership for Children, the ceremony was held publicly to celebrate the importance of adoptions, according to a press release. Last year, CPC finalized 277 adoptions in the three counties.
"We are one track to exceed our goal this year as well," said Tiffany Garten, adoption supervisor at CPC. "This adoption unit works hard to ensure that we are achieving permanency for as many of our children as we can through the process of adoption."
Circuit Judge Christopher France shared a personal story of adoption in his family — it was about Andrew John, the brother he gained when his father remarried. A.J. had been adopted by France's stepmom.
Years after their parents married, France and A.J. had a "heart-to-heart."
"I told him, ‘A.J., you are the brother I never had," France recalled. "And he looked at me and said, ‘I feel the same way.'"
Just like A.J. changed his life, France said what these families came to the Plaza to do would also change their lives.
“Sometimes 'yes' is the only thing we can say because we are here for a bigger purpose."
Amanda Bailey, former CPC worker
“By this act that we are about to embark on, this legal act, we’re really engaging in an adventure of a lifetime and I’m proud and thankful to each of you for choosing to do that," France said.
Former CPC worker Amanda Bailey also spoke at the ceremony. She said when she left her job due to moving out of the area, she soon realized how much she missed the joy of adoptions. Later on, she got involved with helping CPC with recruitment.
By taking in an adopted child, you are changing their lives, Bailey said. It creates a "ripple effect of happiness and hope."
“Sometimes 'yes' is the only thing we can say because we are here for a bigger purpose," Bailey said. "We may not have seen it two months ago, two years ago or even the day of placement, but through saying yes, we are moving mountains.”
Still, while she loved the feeling of helping someone create their family through adoption, Bailey admitted she never thought it would form part of her story.
For she and her husband, starting the adoption process wasn't easy.
“There’s a lot of loss to resolve and some big questions that need to be asked and answered," Bailey said. "There’s major faith from deep within that you need to find.”
It's days like this, Bailey said, that give her that faith.
