WORCESTER—The Worcester County Juvenile Court marked one of its most joyful annual traditions on Friday as 46 children formally joined 34 families during the region’s National Adoption Day celebration.
Over the course of the morning, five judges worked simultaneously in separate courtrooms inside the Worcester District Court building, finalizing adoptions that turned what is typically a complex legal process into a day of celebration. The event, held each year on the Friday before Thanksgiving, is part of a national effort to highlight the thousands of children in foster care awaiting permanent homes.
“National Adoption Day is a day to celebrate the wonderful families who have opened their hearts to these children,” said Judge Keating, first justice of the Worcester County Juvenile Court, in a statement. “Today we are thankful that 46 children have found permanent homes through adoption. This day is the culmination of hard work by dedicated social workers, court staff, and judges. We hope that National Adoption Day will inspire others to open their hearts and homes to the many children who are still waiting for a family.”
The celebration drew together a wide network of partners, including the Department of Children and Families, CASA Project Worcester County, and the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange. Community organizations helped transform the courthouse into a family-focused gathering, offering breakfast, gifts, professional photography and activities ranging from crafts to visits from local sports mascots, princesses, superheroes, and comfort dogs.
“National Adoption Day celebrates the joy of permanency,” said Julie Bowditch, executive director of CASA Project Worcester County. “It also calls us to keep working until every child has the lifelong support system they deserve—whether through family stabilization, reunification, guardianship, or adoption.”
Local lawmakers also joined the event.
“With each of today’s adoptions, a new family is created or expanded, and a child’s life is transformed,” said Senator Michael Moore (D–Second Worcester) in the announcement. Senator Robyn Kennedy (D–First Worcester) added that the day reflected “the hope and joy that adoption brings to both children and families,” while also underscoring the needs of children still awaiting stable homes.
Roughly 2,000 children in Worcester County and more than 9,000 statewide remain in protective custody waiting for permanency, according to the event announcement. Since its launch in 2000, National Adoption Day has celebrated more than 90,000 adoptions nationwide.
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