Observed every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, National Adoption Day is a holiday in which communities and courts all over the U.S come together to finalize the adoptions of thousands of children who are in foster care. Every year, hundreds of events are held, in just about every part of the United States, and they are all designed to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care. in 2015, over 4,000 children were adopted on this day, and over 58,000 children in total have been adopted since its inception in 2000. In the U.S., there are over 125,000 children waiting to be adopted, and the number increases every year, so this is the perfect day to spread the word about that fact and help these children get adopted.

5 Facts About Adoption

1. Adoption statistic in U.S. families
   One out of every 25 families with children have an adopted child.


2. Adopted Americans
   Around 7 million Americans are adopted.


3. Average waiting time for getting adopted
   The time an average child waits for an adoptive family is more than three years.


4. Adoption agencies in the U.S.
   The U.S. has more adoption agencies than any other country.


5. International adoptions
   Americans adopt children globally, although the numbers have declined since 2018.

Why National Adoption Day is Important

1. We get to celebrate family
   National Adoption Day is a time when thousands of children who have spent days, months, or even years in foster care are finally given a forever home with their forever parents.


2. We get to witness raw and simple love
   Adoption is a celebration of selfless, simple love. It’s the choice to foster and permanently adopt someone else’s child. It’s choosing your family and giving kids without a family a home filled with love.


3. We get to volunteer
   Hundreds of organizations work to promote adoption. We get to volunteer our time to help them spread the word and land a permanent home for thousands of children in the foster care system.

20 Ways to Celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month

1. Share Your Story: If you are a part of the adoption triad, one of the most important ways you can raise awareness is to share an aspect of your own story that might help others.


2. Read a Book (or Buy One for Someone else): Here are some great books for readers of all ages that will come in handy when you’re looking to share more about adoption!


3. Educate Others: November is a great month to work toward educating others about adoption.


4. Raise Awareness about How to Adopt: Use your resources and connections to help these families through what can be a confusing process.


5. Support a Foster Family: Though people who are fostering may not ask for help, there are many things you can do to support foster families in your area. Read this article for tips on how to help!


6. Give Back to an Adoption Agency: Search for an adoption agency in your area and find out how you can support them whether it be through volunteering, hosting a drive to get items that they may need, or even, donating your coffee money for the week.


7. Donate to An Adoption Charity: Many adoption charities exist. Find an organization that you might like to support and read more about how you can be a part of their mission!


8. Share Your Talents with Adoptive Parents: Think about the unique skills you have that may be an asset to a parent by adoption—even if it’s just offering to chat or babysit!


9. Attend an Event: Not only can you learn a lot, but you can also find more ways to educate others, share experiences, and be a part of the conversation in a meaningful way.


10. Watch a Movie: This is something that you can do with family and friends, and it will help start conversations and raise awareness despite your circle’s various comfort when it comes to addressing this topic. Need help finding a film to enjoy? Here is a great list!


11. Listen to Lived Experiences: If you know an adoptee or adoptive parent interested in sharing their stories, listen.


12. Speak to an Adoptee: If you don’t have the opportunity to speak with an adoptee, consider reading a book written by one.


13. Create Your Own Book about Your Story: If you’ve adopted, one of your rituals is likely telling your child their story. This November, we are going to make a book about it. I’m going to have her tell us back the story the way she loves it and illustrate it. I think it will give her ownership of her story and allow her to read it on her own as she starts reading this year.


14. Celebrate Your Adoption with Family and Friends: Since numerous members of that family built their nuclear families through adoption, they take turns picking out a restaurant they don’t normally attend for a special dinner.


15. Reach out to Others Who Could Use Support: Whether you take them a meal, just sit with them and listen, or help them find resources, you likely have a way to help these individuals.


16. Start a Drive or Personal Project: Find out a local project that you can support and host a drive at your school or place of worship. Collect clothes and stuffed animals for foster children or start your own project.


17. Have a Get-together with Other Parents By Adoption: Consider hosting a meet-up at your home or local place where you can gather with others to share and allow your children to hang out together. Consider making this a monthly event and invite new parents to your group as you hear about them!


18. Speak at an Event: If you’re a part of the triad, consider speaking at one of these events and sharing your story or sitting on a panel at these events to give your perspective.


19. Answer Questions: During events throughout this month, people will have questions. Be there to help answer them. You have a lot to offer!


20. Share on Social Media: These shares make a big difference and likely, someone reading their own newsfeed will be prompted to learn more about adoption from your post.

Resources

• Adoption | Nevada Department of Health & Human Services


• National Adoption Month 2022 | Child Welfare Information Gateway


• National Adoption Day | Home


• Ways to Celebrate National Adoption Month | Adoption Choices of Nevada