Essex Vicinage to Celebrate National Adoption Day

The Essex Vicinage will host a virtual and in-person Adoption Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. 

Assignment Judge Sheila Venable will join Presiding Family Division Judge David B. Katz in welcoming the families.  Judges Nora J. Grimbergen and MeLinda Hawkins-Taylor, along with Judges Venable and Katz, will preside over the 13 adoptions by 12 families that have agreed to participate in the celebration.  

The celebration will include breakfast for the families and their guests, gifts, crafts, and a magic show that will be livestreamed. Breakfast pastries will be delivered to the families attending virtually. Donated gift baskets will include books, toys, and gift cards for the children, household supplies, and supermarket gift cards. The Essex County Surrogate’s Office will provide each family with a basket that includes items for holiday meals. Bloomingdale’s will donate clothes and gifts.

Information about the adoption process can be obtained from the surrogate’s office. For more information about becoming a licensed foster/adoptive parent, call 1-877-NJFOSTER.

The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), the Essex County Surrogate’s Office, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Seton Hall University School of Law, and the offices of the Attorney General and the Public Defender also are hosting the program.  

Although adoptions are closed to the public, photographers and reporters can attend the virtual event and can arrange to interview selected families after their adoptions conclude. For more information, contact Assistant Family Division Manager Kenneth James at 973-776-9300, ext. 56731.