National Adoption Day, celebrated each November, is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the nearly 400,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. It also provides an opportunity to educate our community about the need for positive support systems for these youth, in order to create a brighter future for them. Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties provides a way for community members to do so.This year’s National Adoption Day celebration, held in Flint on Tuesday, November 24, will be extra special for four Genesee County children. They will be celebrating the finalizations of their adoptions, performed through Catholic Charities. “We are so excited that these children have found forever families,” says Betty Rathfon, Director of Children’s Services at Catholic Charities.
“There are a growing number of children coming into the foster care system who unfortunately aren’t able to stay with their biological families. We are working diligently to provide each of them with the support system they need to succeed,” says Vicky Schultz, President of Catholic Charities. There are many children in Genesee County in need of a forever home, for a variety of reasons including abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Last year, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties found forever homes for nearly 20 children. More families are still needed to provide support and care for all the children in need.
Catholic Charities invites you to attend free informational meetings for a unique opportunity to learn about the adoption and foster care processes.
Prospective parents will have their questions answered by the expert staff of Catholic Charities’ Children’s Services Department. For more information on meetings or becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Shiawassee or Genesee Counties, please call 810-232-3418, or email givehope@ccsgc.org. Consider opening your heart and your home to change the life of a child in need.
Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties has been serving those in need since 1941, regardless of faith or background. This diverse human services agency offers an array of programs including counseling, substance use treatment, the Community Closet, prevention and education, foster care and adoption, as well as the North End, Center for Hope, and South Flint Soup Kitchens. For more information about services, call 810-232-9950, or email givehope@ccsgc.org.