Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving it is National Adoption Day. This day raises awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent, loving families. National Adoption Day has helped the dreams of many children and families come true.
In 2015, many courts and communities came together to finalize nearly 4,000 adoptions of children from foster care. There are more than 300 events that are held annually on National Adoption Day as the finalization of the dreams become a reality. In total, more than 58,500 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day.
A Coalition of national partners including The Alliance for Children’s Rights, Children’s Action Network, Freddie Mac Foundation and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption started National Adoption Day in 2000. In November of 2000, the sponsors worked with law firms, state foster care agencies, child advocates and courts to complete hundreds of foster care adoptions in nine jurisdictions nationwide.
2001 – 17 jurisdictions participated
2002 – Casey Family Services and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute joined the National Adoption Day Coalition, helping 34 cities across the country finalize 1,350 adoptions and celebrate adoption.
2003 – Courts and community organizations in more than 120 jurisdictions across the nation finalized the adoptions of 3,100 children.
2004 – More than 3,400 children were adopted from foster care in 200 events in 37 states after courts and community organization finalized the adoptions.
2011 – More than 300 court and community events were held on National Adoption Day.