Monmouth Vicinage Celebrates Adoption Day

The Monmouth Vicinage will host a virtual Adoption Day ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. 

Family Division Presiding Judge Ellen Torregrossa-O’Connor, Judge Angela White Dalton, and Assistant Family Division Manager Kathleen J. Wardlow will give remarks. A guest speaker will share her personal adoption story, and a slideshow of photographs from the adopting families will be presented.

Following the virtual event, approximately eight adoptions from seven families will be finalized starting at 1:30 p.m. before Judges Torregrossa-O’Connor, Teresa Kondrup Coyle, and Honora O’Brien Kilgallen. 

“Each year, the Monmouth Vicinage looks forward to joining members of our community to honor adoptive families and promote permanency for children. We hope that our celebration will encourage others to transform the life of a child through adoption,” Assignment Judge Lisa P. Thornton said. 

The event is being held in collaboration with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office, the Monmouth Bar Association, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

National Adoption Day is an annual event in which courts and communities in all 50 states join to finalize thousands of adoptions and to celebrate families who adopt. Information about the adoption process can be obtained from the Office of the Monmouth County Surrogate. For more information about becoming a licensed foster/adoptive parent, please call 1-877-NJFOSTER.

Although adoptions are closed to the public, photographers and reporters may attend the virtual event and may arrange to interview selected families after their adoptions conclude. Please call Janet Slocum at 732-358-8700 ext. 87025 for details.