This year, ‘Giving Thanks For Families’ will be celebrated in the Berrien County Trial Courts on Monday, November 22nd. The state of Michigan proclaims the month of November to be Adoption Month, and focuses on finding forever families for children in foster care. Across the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services works diligently with 46 child-placing agencies providing adoption services and support before, during, and after the adoption process. In 2021 alone, over 1600 children were adopted from Michigan’s welfare program.
Enriching lives through adoption not only solidifies a support system and ensures stability for the child’s future, it offers the same for biological and adoptive parents alike. Thousands of families are made whole every year, and should be celebrated!
Chief Judge Mabel Johnson Mayfield explains, “Adoption proceedings are rewarding and certainly the most enjoyable type of hearings I have the opportunity to preside over. Whether for an infant or adult adoption, single or multiple siblings, stepparent, direct or through foster care placement, the goal is to provide a permanence that is otherwise missing. Permanence may be the catalyst for peace, happiness, or joy amid the often lengthy and chaotic circumstances the adoptee may have experienced. It’s great when the court is able to truly and effectively meet needs with solutions.” That the best thing advocates for adoption can do is to be supportive of adoptive families. The Berrien County Court Adoption Specialist adds, “Whether offering respite care, making a meal, or accompanying the families to appointments, a little extra support can go a long way. Taking time to learn about trauma and becoming a trauma-informed community will help build strong networks for our adoptive families.”
Beginning at 9:00 am on Monday November 22, five families in our area will have their adoptions finalized, and the courts invite you to come celebrate. These hearings are open to the public and will take place at Berrien County Trial Court, located at 811 Port Street, in courtroom 405 at 9:00 am and 10:00 am, courtroom 403 at 11:00 am and 3:30 pm, and courtroom 327 at 2:15 pm. Congratulate these new forever families, and wish them happiness on this special day.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
