Family Services of Metro Orlando Celebrates its 1000th Adoption
- A sixth straight record year for foster care adoptions -
ORLANDO, Fla., June 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On June 25, 2010, Family Services of Metro Orlando celebrated its 1,000th foster care adoption among over 20 children adopted into 17 families that day.
Eight-year-old Melissa is the fifth child adopted by foster parents, Debbie and Joseph Defour - and the 1,000th child adopted through Family Services of Metro Orlando.
"After our two children went to college, we thought we were done raising children," said Debbie Defour. "But we love the children we've fostered and would never ask them to leave our home, so we adopted them."
By the age of nine, a foster child is more likely to spend the rest of her life in foster care than to join an adoptive family.
"Six years ago, the Florida Department of Children and Families partnered with us to care for the children of Central Florida," said Greg Kurth, CEO of Family Services of Metro Orlando. "Now we have seen the positive impact of that partnership a thousand times over."
Ceremony participants included Fred Hawkins, Chair of the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, Jay Wheeler, Osceola County School Board Member, and Jay Polachek, St. Cloud City Councilman and Family Services of Metro Orlando Board Member. Judge Margaret T. Waller presided.
Family Services of Metro Orlando credits its extensive partner network including Children's Home Society, Youth and Family Alternatives, One Hope United, Devereux Florida, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
During the current state fiscal year, Family Services of Metro Orlando and its provider network completed more than 219 adoptions, a sixth consecutive record. Over 120 Central Florida children still await permanent adoptive families.
About Family Services of Metro Orlando
Family Services of Metro Orlando is a private, non-profit organization responsible for the management of services to vulnerable children and families in Orange and Osceola counties. Through its innovative programs and extensive community partnerships, the organization provides oversight of child protection services, such as prevention, intervention, foster care, adoption and independent living services. Family Services maximizes public and private resources and coordinates community partnerships toward holistic services for children and families. For more information, visit www.fsmetroorlando.org or call 877-6-MY-KIDS.
SOURCE Family Services of Metro Orlando
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