From the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services ~ the real meaning behind this month:
About National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to
raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster
care. This year's National Adoption Month initiative targets adoption
professionals by focusing on ways to recruit and retain parents for the
107,000 children and youth in foster care waiting for adoptive
families. The National Adoption Month poster
(PDF - 2,796 KB) notes strategies adoption professionals can implement
any day, week, or month to benefit children waiting for families. The Spanish National Adoption Month poster (PDF - 2,494 KB) also provides suggestions for working with Spanish-speaking families throughout the year.
The 2011 theme for National Adoption Month is Build Capacity to Make Lasting Change. The National Adoption Month initiative supports the national adoption recruitment campaign
and public service announcements
produced in partnership with the Ad Council, AdoptUSKids, and the
Children's Bureau. This year's campaign is targeted toward the
recruitment of families for preteens (8-12 year olds).
and public service announcements
produced in partnership with the Ad Council, AdoptUSKids, and the
Children's Bureau. This year's campaign is targeted toward the
recruitment of families for preteens (8-12 year olds).
The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive
families for children in foster care occurred in Massachusetts in
1976, when Governor Michael Dukakis announced an Adoption Week. The idea
grew in popularity and spread nationwide. In 1984, President Reagan
proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under
President Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of
November.
Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and
celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation.
Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs,
events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge
the myths, and draw attention to the thousands of children in foster
care who are waiting for permanent families.
Link to their site to learn more
Adoption Awareness ~ Not Adoption Celebration
Before adoption can happen, relinquishment must take place.
I will never celebrate a mother losing a child, nor will I ever celebrate a child losing their mother. No matter the reason ~ I think that is the most basic, primal loss that exists.
The fact that a mother for any reason feels that she needs to relinquish her child is something that should be mourned, not prayed for or celebrated about.
In my opinion, adoption should only be considered as a last choice, not a first choice. Adoption should only be a first choice in the case of a mother completely and truly having NO desire to parent a child or if abuse is a factor.
Family should always be honored and cherished, not torn apart.
Susie
