Today turned out to be a forever day for eight families who adopted foster children at a special ceremony at the Venue in New Braunfels.
The adoptions at Adoption Day 2023 were made possible by a partnership between SJRC Texas Belong and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
“Many of these kids have spent months and even years of their young lives without the security and love of a family,” said SJRC Director of Communications April Molina. “Being able to witness the moment an adoption becomes official is pure joy.”
A 17-year-old who was adopted said they never thought this day would come.
“After the things I’ve been through, no one should ever go through,” they said in a statement published on Facebook by CASA of Central Texas, which advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system.
“Case after case, switching homes left and right for years,” the teenager said. “I navigate life’s journey with resilience and hope knowing that a family out there was waiting to embrace me. Today, that waiting comes to an end and a new beautiful chapter begins.”
Joyce Yannuzzi, who works for State Sen. Donna Campbell and is running for Comal County Commissioner Pct. 1, read an official proclamation issued by the Texas Senate acknowledging Nov. 20 as Adoption Day in Hays, Caldwell, Comal and Guadalupe counties.
According to the resolution, there are more than 2,100 foster children in Texas awaiting adoption.
