THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING

NOVEMBER 2010 AS

ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH

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WHEREAS, the County of San Mateo re-affirms that each and every child and youth deserves a loving, nurturing and permanent home, and that adoptive families provide supportive environments and lifelong connections for children in foster care who are unable to reunify with their families; and

WHEREAS, adoptive parents provide patience and support needed to help children and youth overcome previous hardships and in Fiscal Year 2009-2010, San Mateo County’s Human Services Agency finalized 21 adoptions; and

WHEREAS, there are many compassionate families able and willing to adopt children who have special needs; and caring, stable adults can adopt a child or youth, even when they have a disability, are of moderate means or are unmarried; and

WHEREAS, both children waiting for adoptive parents and families who have adopted these children, merit support from their community and public agencies; and

WHEREAS, in honor of this month, we encourage citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, businesses, schools, and others to celebrate Adoption Awareness Month, honor families that grow through adoption, raise awareness of the need for adoptive families, and focus attention on those courageous children who live in the shadow of an uncertain future while they await permanent families;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, hereby designates November 2010 as Adoption Awareness Month.

Dated: November 2, 2010

SUPERVISORS: