Title
To proclaim November as National Adoption Awareness Month in the City of Columbus and to recognize Franklin County Children Services for their work at providing safe, positive, healthy, nurturing relationships and support for the children of this community.
Body
WHEREAS, Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month - a time to focus on adopting children in foster care - an effort that was first promoted by Massachusetts governor Mike Dukakis in 1976 as a way to bring attention to this issue - it also allows public and private organizations to celebrate adoption as a positive way of building families and sheds light on the number of children in need of permanent families; and
WHEREAS, Adoption affirms the inherent value of humanity and signals that every child is wanted and loved -
it is a blessing to anyone who is involved; it provides needed relief to birth parents, who may not, for whatever reason, be in a position to raise a child; it fosters loving homes for children; it enables individuals to grow their families and share their love; and it fosters strong families, which are integral to ensuring strong and resilient communities; and
WHEREAS, children are key to a community’s future success, prosperity and quality of life; in addition, children and teens deserve a safe, loving family where they can thrive in an environment where they are nurtured, comforted, and protected - yet there are nearly 200 children and teens in the permanent custody of Franklin County Children Services who are waiting to be adopted, moreover reports show that adopted children are likely to have a better quality of life than children that are not adopted - they usually have better physical, mental, health outcomes, and overall higher rates of educational success; and
WHEREAS, there are no restrictions on who can adopt a child based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or marital status - further the need for parents who are willing to adopt a sibling, an older child or a young person with a complex medical and behavioral condition is encouraged as adoptive children in supportive, loving families are able to reach their potential through the overcoming of past traumatic experiences, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby proclaim November as National Adoption Awareness Month in the City of Columbus and recognize Franklin County Children Services for their work at providing safe, positive, healthy, nurturing relationships and support for the children of this community.