(Camden, NJ) — For 15 years, the Freeholder Board and Surrogate Michelle Gentek-Mayer have been connecting appreciative children with loving families as part of National Adoption Day. This year, 19 children will have their adoptions finalized.
Gentek-Mayer talked about the process and how vital it is for matching children and parents throughout Camden County.
“What could be more important than matching a child with loving parents inside a stable home?” Gentek-Mayer said. “It is my distinct honor to participate and bring together adoptive parents, the Surrogate’s Court staff, adoption professionals, judges and attorneys to celebrate and honor the families who are finalizing their adoptions.”
Camden is consistently among the counties in New Jersey that finalize the highest number of adoptions per year. These adoptions represent the full spectrum of cases facilitated by the Surrogate’s Court throughout the year, including domestic and international adoptions as well as adoptions facilitated through private agencies and the New Jersey State Department of Children and Families.
The Camden County Surrogate’s Court also finalizes the largest number of international, or Hague Adoption Convention, cases in the state each year. The Hague Adoption Convention established international standards of practices for inter-county adoptions that have been followed in the United States in 2008.
“I applaud Surrogate Gentek-Mayer and her staff for the important work they do in matching a child with loving parents inside a stable home,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez. “This is done not just on National Adoption Day but throughout the year as they help adoptive parents welcome new additions to their families.”
Recent figures indicate that over two percent of all U.S. children are adopted and that about 60% of Americans know someone who has been adopted or has adopted. Informational expos and programs such as those hosted by the Camden County Surrogate’s Court are instrumental in placing children in a stable home.
Adoption Day is a national initiative to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. This annual event has made the dreams of thousands of children across our country come true by finalizing the creation of adoptive families and moving children from foster care to their new homes.
The Surrogate Court acts as the Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court, Family Part for adoptions. The Surrogate and the Freeholder Board mark National Adoption Day by hosting a day of adoption support and awareness activities.