Cass County Courts host 21st annual Adoption Day Celebration
Published 6:24 pm Monday, November 27, 2023
Chief Judge Bealor and the Robison Family. (Submitted)
Cass County Adoption Day Speaker, Cass County Treasurer Hope Anderson and Chief Judge Carol M. Bealor. (Submitted)
Chief Judge Bealor and The Holmes Family. (Submitted)
The Robison Family. (Submitted)
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
CASSOPOLIS — The Cass County Probate Courtroom was packed with well wishers Tuesday, Nov. 21, who joined two families in celebrating the finalization of two adoptions on adoption day.
Cass County Courts Chief Judge Carol Montavon Bealor presided over the finalization of the adoptions and briefly shared the story of the impact of her own adoption on her life before introducing the keynote speaker for the event, Cass County Treasurer, Hope Anderson.
Anderson shared with those present how she was blessed with her first two grandchildren through adoption. Her daughter and son-in-law became foster parents when they were only twenty years old and then ultimately adopted two of their nine foster children. Anderson described with joy how her daughter and son-in-law were fierce advocates for the children in their care and how their whole family became dedicated to being fully present for them.
Two years after moving in with her daughter and son-in-law, Anderson’s first two grandchildren were adopted, making the home they had formed with their forever family a permanent one. Anderson, who will begin serving as the President of the Board of Directors for Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in 2024, encouraged those present to consider fostering, adopting, or supporting those who do in some way as “adoption is a testimony to the boundless capacity of the human heart.”
Adoption day was established by the Michigan Supreme Court and the Department of Health and Human Services in 2003. Cass County Courts have celebrated Adoption Day every year since 2003. The Cass County Courts have finalized over 800 adoptions since 2002.
Currently, there are approximately 10,000 children in Michigan who live apart from their parents in foster care. Each year it is estimated that approximately 2,100 children in the Michigan foster care system have the goal of adoption and are legally ready to be adopted. Those interested in learning about becoming a foster parent can call 855-MICHKIDS to learn more.
