Forever family ushers in Adoption Month

Adoption Day Celebration

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By JUSTIN WIER

jwier@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A young girl found a new home as Judge Robert N. Rusu of Mahoning County Probate Court presided over her adoption in the courthouse rotunda during the county’s fourth Adoption Day celebration.

The judge proclaimed, “Adoption granted!” as 20-month-old Jacqueline Wolfe and Atty. Robert Christian struck the gavel upon its block and those in attendance broke out in applause Wednesday morning.

“That’s why we’re here,” Judge Rusu said. “We’ve created a forever family.”

Photo Gallery: Adoption Day Celebration

The county’s Probate Court and Children Services agency hosted the celebration to draw attention to the need for more foster families in the county.

About 30 children are in Children Services custody and about 150 more are in foster care.

The county requires an average of 100 foster homes, Judge Rusu said, but it only has about 40.

“We need individuals who are willing to step up to the plate and become foster families,” said Theresa Pancoe, who supervises Children Services adoption unit.

The greatest need for adoptive parents, officials said, is among teenagers.

A video shown during the celebration day showed a 17-year-old named Nicholas, who writes comic books and dreams of becoming a genetic engineer.

He worried he wouldn’t be adopted because he’s almost an adult.

“Sometimes you lose hope, and when you lose hope, everything goes haywire,” he said in the video.

Randall Muth, executive director of Children Services, said many cases are borne out of tragedy, with the state removing a child from the home of his or her biological parents.

Jacqueline found a home with relatives Shawn and Teresa Wolfe. “She needed a loving family,” Teresa Wolfe said. “We stepped in.”

She described an 18-month process and expressed gratitude her family will be complete for the holidays.

Christian also received recognition during the ceremony. He has represented families in more than 600 adoptions throughout his career.

“This has been the most rewarding part of 40 years practicing law – seeing families come together,” Christian said.