BEVERLY, Mass. — Five-year-old Julyssa of Beverly is one of 97 children with a big reason to celebrate Friday, November 19 because it is the day when their adoptions become final.
Peter and Lynette Lovasco have been foster parents for Julyssa for all but seven weeks of her life. The Lovascos also have three biological children of their own.
“We just couldn’t imagine life without her,” Lynette Lovasco said.
Adopting children from foster care is challenging for numerous reasons. Parents have to be evaluated by the Department of Children and Families, go through lengthy training and risk the possibility their child may wind up back with their birth family if the goal is reunification instead of adoption. The goals for children can change repeatedly.
National Adoption Day is officially being recognized Saturday, November 20, but in Massachusetts, the Department of Children and Families and the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) will celebrate finalization of the adoptions of local children during a virtual event.
Judges from juvenile and probation court will preside over more than 60 Zoom adoptions, according to the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, which finds adoptive homes for children and teens in foster care.
“There’s so many kids waiting in Mass. for families, and they need us to do the hard work,” Lovasco added.
Since last year’s National Adoption Day, there have been 220 adoptions finalized for children who had been part of the foster care system. National Adoption Day is an event created to promote awareness about fostering through each state and bring attention to the thousands of children in need of loving and permanent homes.
Currently, there are 8,398 children in foster care in Massachusetts; roughly 1,700 are in need of permanent homes, said MARE Executive Director Lisa Funaro.
“The adoption process is complex and at times unpredictable,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a video he recorded with his wife, First Lady Lauren Baker, that will be shared with foster families during an adoption day event.
“Your strength and advocacy for your children is incredible and we’re so grateful,” the governor said.
Lauren Baker thanked the many foster families across the state.
“Your sacrifices and love make the difference and you bridge the gap for children and create happiness and stability in their lives at the time that they need it most,” Lauren Baker said.
For information about fostering and adopting children please visit the MARE website.
State Of Adoption: Boston 25 In-Depth Special
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