National Adoption Day 2024: Six Forever Families Finalized in Just One Day

Celebrating the love, support, safety, and sense of belonging that comes with finding a “forever family,” Franklin County Children Services and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption honored National Adoption Day on Tuesday, November 19, by bringing together six families and eight children currently in foster care who will finalize adoptions in court on the same day.

Hear highlights of the Franklin County National Adoption Day 2024 by clicking here.

Christina and Burl Queen simply could not imagine life without their beloved Izzy, a joyful two-year-old with a lively, affectionate spirit, who first entered their lives two years ago and on National Adoption Day, officially joined their family. 

“It’s like holding your breath for two years and then finally getting to just exhale,” Christina says. 

The Queens were one of six happy families finalizing their adoptions, and both Christina and Burl are grateful, relieved, and overjoyed for Izzy’s adoption day to have finally arrived. 

“She’s ours. We get to love her forever,” Christina added. There’s just something about that finalization. It’s just a sigh of relief.”

As the Queens’ ninth adopted child, Izzy joins a huge, loving family - a foster and adoptive blend - where more often than not, she is the star of the show. This fun, silly toddler loves Mickey Mouse, dancing, and watching Ms. Rachel on YouTube. 

“I just can’t look at her and not smile,” Christina says. “She brings so much joy into the house.”

Feisty and independent, Izzy can also be a textbook two-year-old, Christina adds. “She wants what she wants when she wants it. She’s got everybody wrapped around her little finger for sure.”

Izzy, who has Down syndrome, has a feeding tube and is learning how to eat and drink on her own. According to Christina, the whole family roots for her at mealtimes, providing encouragement as Izzy gets comfortable enough to try new things. 

“Everybody in the house is like ‘Yay!’” Christina says. “Izzy likes for everybody to cheer for her. She claps for herself and gets so excited.”

Izzy has a special bond with her “dada” Burl, who is in charge of tucking her in at night. Their bedtime ritual is a cherished part of his day, Burl says. “I just hold her and pat her back. It’s our routine we’ve done every night for almost two years.”

The Queens, who have been foster parents for the past 20 years, currently live on the outskirts of Grove City in a spacious 10-bedroom house with their 10 foster and adopted children. 

Faith is a big part of the Queens’ life, and they consider caring for children their calling, according to Christina. “I don’t think we’d be able to do this at all without our faith, without just knowing that there’s a bigger purpose.”

The most meaningful part of being an adoptive parent to Izzy and her other siblings, is the privilege of being there for all those childhood milestones, “the reward of seeing them grow up,” Christina says. 

And Izzy’s new mom urges anyone considering adoption to heed the call. 

“If you are feeling it in your heart, take the next step,” Christina says. “I don’t think people realize how great the need is. We need adoptive homes that are truly going to love the kids and welcome them into their family, to love them like they’ve always been there, like they belong there.”

MAKING ADOPTION EASIER TO NAVIGATE

Currently, Franklin County Children Services has more than 200 children in permanent agency custody who are available for adoption. 

Fortunately, more than half of those children are matched with families and are in the legal process of adoption. Still, that means about 80 children are seeking a permanent family. 

Celebrating National Adoption Day - and honoring National Adoption Month all November - may be the spark to make those connections.

To learn more about the children in foster care who are awaiting their forever adoptive homes in Franklin County, visit fccs.us/adoption.

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