Los Angeles holds adoption ceremonies for more than 130 children

More than 130 children were adopted in Los Angeles County on Saturday morning in a number of adoption ceremonies held across the country.

The event commemorating national adoption day was launched by a coalition of organizations to raise awareness of the tens of thousands of children awaiting adoption in foster homes across the United States.

Saturday’s adoption proceedings at Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court in Monterey Park were conducted in-person and virtually by Los Angeles County officials and pro bono attorneys from the Public Council and the Alliance for Children’s Rights. children, groups that advocate for young people and provide legal services. .

“Adoption gives children the love and permanence they deserve and enriches the lives of the adoptive families who are lucky enough to welcome them,” said Akemi Arakaki, presiding juvenile judge at Edelman Juvenile Court.

Alison Canetty of Torrance celebrated the adoption of her 2-year-old son, Pierce. Canetty raised Pierce from the age of 2 days, with the boy’s biological sister, Ellie, who is 3 years old.

Canetty, who is raising the siblings and four other children on her own, has been a foster mother since 2016. She plans to open an agency to help children in the foster care system.

“It’s a long journey… but it’s worth it,” she says. “You see how much you can give back and how much you can help another human being.”

She wants other families to consider acting as foster parents.

“Sometimes it’s hard because you have to give it back to them or they find a family member,” she said. “But at the end of the day, those who are meant to be with you will end up being with you forever.”