World Adoption Day: Celebrating Adoptive Families and Connecting with those touched or impacted by Adoption
Posted on November 8, 2024
Since 2014, the world has come together on 9 November to celebrate World Adoption Day.
World Adoption Day, which was founded by Hank Fortener of AdoptTogether in the USA, is dedicated to raising awareness about adoption and the joy, love, and unique stories that come with it.
Today, hundreds of ambassadors from all over the world come together on this day to celebrate those who have been adopted and families who have adopted.
Simon Green, Head of Service at Adoption@Heart said: “During National Adoption Week in October we highlighted adoption journeys of all kinds and showing that the road to a family is not always a traditional one. We’re also shining a light on all the people who play an important part of someone’s lifelong adoption journey. We raised awareness of modern adoption and showcasing the diversity of adoptive families today”.
“World Adoption Day is a day to celebrate those adoptive families, to share their stories, to reflect on their adoption journey and to connect with those touched or impacted by adoption”.
Hear from our adopters
Adopter Kate*:
“Adoption is rollercoaster of emotions, but I'd do it all again in a heartbeat to have the most beautiful boy I could have ever dreamed of. Everyone says how much he looks like me and he does, and his personality is so like me too he is so loving - and so, so cheeky!
“Everything about the process was right - the time taken for the assessment - the introductions which were helped by such wonderful foster carers and taking time to bond before introducing new people.
That was hard but I understand now it was the right thing. The wait to be matched was so hard and the most difficult part of the process”.
Kate is still involved with buddying up with other adopters and finds Adoption@Heart’s virtual group really helpful.
Adopter Jane*:
“We found the process challenging at times but the reward of adopting a child is well worth the effort.
“We have made lifelong friends from the adoption training at adoption@heart, having fellow adopters to talk too is so important.”
“Our daughter has brought so much joy to our family we can’t imagine life without her. My eldest birth son said, ‘bringing her into our family is the best thing you’ve ever done’.”
Adopters Sam & James*:
“Adoption, to us, means double the trouble and twice the fun! We’re so fortunate to have been able to open our home and hearts to our twins, and cannot wait to watch them develop, grow and thrive with us.”
Simon Green adds: “Although we are celebrating those wonderful stories of children thriving with their adoptive families, we still have children in care waiting to be adopted. There’s been a 22% increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption waiting for an adoptive family since last year. With fewer potential adopters coming forward, children of all ages are facing delays of over 18 months to find their forever home.
“Children who are placed in care have already experienced a great deal of loss and upheaval, and once a decision has been made that adoption is the best option for a child, the sooner they can be placed in a permanent home, the better.”
How can you support World Adoption Day?
World Adoption Day asks you to draw a smiley face on your hand, take a selfie and upload to social media using the hashtag #WorldAdoptionDay.
If you are a potential adopter, you can also get involved by joining one of our Information Events where you can learn about modern adoption and the adoption process.
*Names have been changed.
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