(Posted 2024 December)
Joy, love, laughter, and fellowship – these were just a few of the heartfelt emotions our recent adoptive families expressed as they were honored at an Adoption Awareness Month event on November 16. The Department of Family Services and Fairfax County Circuit Court partnered to host this event at the courthouse, to recognize and celebrate the commitment of families who have adopted children from foster care.
Approximately 100 people attended this moving event including friends and loved ones, staff and dignitaries, as well as others in the local child welfare community. This included Chief Judge of the Circuit Court Penney Azcarate, Clerk of the Circuit Court Christopher Falcon, and Virginia State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim.
Proclamation and Reception
The event opened with a welcome by Department of Family Services Director Michael A. Becketts. Then, Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity presented the Adoption Awareness Month proclamation to honorees Barbara and Kira Davis, an adoptive family.
The Davis family provided an inspirational Keynote Address reflecting on their adoption journey. The ceremony concluded with Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Christie Leary presiding over an adoption finalization ceremony.
The event culminated with a reception featuring a performance by the Magic Hand Orchestra followed by lunch, activities, games and raffles, as well as resource tables by community partners such as the Northern Post-Adoption Consortium (NPAC) and Formed Families Forward. Thank you to these supporters for being a part of the event!
An Outpouring of Community Support
This event would not have been possible without the contributions of so many others! Thank you to the Youth Alliance Limitless Engagement Foundation, Trader Joe’s (the Reston, Fairfax, and Centreville locations), Wegman’s (Fairfax), Gabriella Hoeth of Inflate Décor, and Gaymon Studios for photography.
We would also like to thank the staff and partners who planned this event including Judge Christie Leary, Judge Tania Saylor, Judicial Support and Docketing Manager Kim Callahan for logistical support, and the Sheriff’s Office staff support at the event.
Last but not least, we’d like to thank Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption staff including the planning committee: Tamiara Johnson, Rachael Love-Snider, Lakesha Windham-Jordan, Chiquita Ortiz, Emma O’Mahony, Samantha Chavez-Rojo, Courtney Underwood, Kelly Yost, Enrique Carrero, Kendra Smith, Jessica Moser, Annette Blancas, Alexandrina Hernandez, as well as volunteers at the event: Dyneaka Harrison, Emily Thomas, Natalie Sposato, Felicia Woodbury, Julie Bowman, Kamonya Omatete, Allison Lowry, and Nakejah Allen, and Sam Carrico and Rylynn, the facility dog.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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