Seven adoptions were finalized at the Berrien County Courthouse on Tuesday as part of the annual Adoption Day celebrations.
Berrien County Trial Court Administrator Carrie Smietanka-Haney tells us the annual event is a way to publicly celebrate the completion of adoptions and to highlight their importance. She said Tuesday’s adoptions were to include foster adoptions and one adult adoption.
“It’s become a bit of a holiday tradition here at the Trial Court because we get to highlight the importance of adoption and the needs of children in foster care throughout the state,” Carrie Smietanka-Haney said. “The theme is O-Fish-Ally a Family.”
Smietanka-Haney says adoption is special because it officially makes someone part of a family.
“Just having a forever home and being able to establish that is really important. So much of what we learn in life is from our families, and so we really appreciate the importance of family at the court and believe that this is one of the best days to celebrate because we get to help in that process of establishing a family.”
Smietanka-Haney says the county might have anywhere from 60 to 80 adoptions in a year.
Justice Brian Zahra of the Michigan Supreme Court joined local Berrien County judges as the seven adoptions were completed.
Adoption Day is always held in November because this is Adoption Month, highlighting the importance of adoption and the needs of children in foster care.
