ORANGE, Calif., Nov. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hannah's Children's Homes, an adoption/foster care agency based in Orange County, will host three adoption fairs this month in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange Counties to spotlight National Adoption Month. The agency will recognize current adoptive and foster care families and provide information about foster care and adoption services to families and adults who are prospective adoptive or foster parents.
Despite the commonly held belief that it takes years to adopt a child, there are children available now to qualified families who wish to adopt or become foster families. According to the Orange County Social Services Agency, there are currently 24 children awaiting adoption.
"Clearly, we have a great and urgent need for special people to provide loving homes for our children," says Helen Lindsey, social worker and adoption program coordinator for Hannah's Children's Homes. "We want to see all of our children placed with families, especially as the holiday season approaches when family togetherness is underscored."
Representatives from several organizations, including Families and Communities Together, which is connected with Orangewood Children's Home, and the Orange County Social Services Agency, will offer pre- and post-adoption information. Veteran foster care and adoptive families will share their personal experiences and representatives from Free Arts for Abused and Neglected Children will assist children with crafts. Additionally, complimentary tickets will be given to the adoption fair attendees for a raffle prize drawing.
"In addition to educating prospective adoptive or foster families and adults these events will help us provide additional support and resources to current foster care and adoptive families, and allow us to express our deep appreciation for them," Lindsey added.
Hannah's Children's Homes began as group home care in 1980 and in 1989 began providing temporary, out-of-home care to children in foster care. By 2002, the agency expanded services to include families considering adoption. Today, Hannah's specializes in placing African-American and Hispanic children in both foster care and adoptive homes in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and welcomes families and adults from all races and ethnic groups who are considering adoption or becoming foster parents. Since 2003, the agency has finalized 21 adoptions throughout its four county territories.
Hannah's Children's Homes will be the sole sponsor of the adoption fairs held on Nov. 14 in Rancho Cucamonga and Nov. 17 in the city of Commerce. The agency will collaborate with Olive Crest to host the Orange County adoption fair on Nov. 20 in Santa Ana.
For more information on the adoption fairs or on foster care and adoption services, call 1-800-400-0354.