BEAUMONT, Texas — The Jefferson County Courthouse celebrated national adoption day on Friday. A total of 8 children were able to finally call their family a "forever home."
The presiding judge Gordon Friesz, began the adoption ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2023.
The entrance of the courtroom was designed as a Christmas-themed Express Train. A person at the ticket booth handed out program agendas, three young chefs served hot cocoa and a deserts table was adorned with cookies and cupcakes.
There are hundreds of children that still need a home in the state of Texas. Events like this bring more exposure to the option of adoption.
Among the seven families adopting, Debbie Dempsey and her husband, Shannon, adopted Olivia, 11, and her little sister, Lucy.
According to the Dempsey's, Olivia and Lucy have been with them since last year. Mr. Shannon is teaching them sign language and the girls know how to sign their names.
This year, Raven Dunbar, 37, of Killeen, adopted a 16-year-old teen named Rome. A year prior, Dunbar adopted Rome's brother, Ra'Shaun, 17, on the last adoption day held on December 5, 2022 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
"I began adopting when I was living at my friend's house. I had just sold my house and I was staying with him. And I saw a newscast on Facebook, and then something told me to do it. The backstory behind that is because my original mom died when I was six. I was placed with my aunt. I decided to pay it forward because it was personal," Raven said.
Rome Dunbar said he did not originally want to be adopted.
"Is because I was already getting comfortable in DFPS," Rome said.
Raven said he is in the process of adopting Rome's bestfriend. Rome said he is excited for his bestfriend to become his brother.
"A new journey, a new journey," Rome said.
These are just two families who are impacting foster children in their adolescent lives.
Director of the Jefferson County Bar Association Bonnie Dean says there are currently 259 children in foster care in Jefferson County.
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