For Immediate Release: November 14, 2006

CONTACT: 609-633-8507 Kate Bernyk Andy Williams

Commissioner Ryan, DYFS Honor Adoptive Families

TRENTON – Adoptive families, staff at the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), and various adoption supporters in the community were honored today by Children and Families Commissioner Kevin M. Ryan and DYFS Director Eileen Crummy during DYFS’ annual luncheon to commemorate Adoption Awareness Month.

“Adoption is a special expression of love, and we would never be able to give our children the safety, permanency and well-being they deserve without so many wonderful people who are willing to open their hearts and their homes,” Commissioner Ryan said “As I was reminded today by Gloria Hochman, from the National Adoption Center: There are no unwanted children, just unfound parents. I am privileged to be able to recognize some of the parents that we found.”

The adoptive families were nominated by DYFS employees because they adopted children under special circumstances or they adopted children who have been traditionally difficult to place for adoption – for example, large sibling groups, older children, or children with special needs.

Speakers at today’s luncheon included Vai Sikahema, the NBC 10 sports anchor who received an award for his work hosting “Wednesday’s Child,” a weekly feature that profiles local children in foster care who are awaiting adoption.

Hochman from the National Adoption Center and Larry Kane, host of the KYW News Radio version of “Wednesday’s Child,” also spoke.

DYFS is the largest adoption agency in New Jersey, placing more than 1,000 children in adoptive homes each year. Commissioner Ryan said DYFS finalized at least 971 adoptions from January through October, which is on pace to exceed the goal of 1,100 adoptions for 2006.

In a typical year, more than 75 percent of the children adopted through DYFS are adopted by their foster parents, but DYFS must recruit families for hundreds of waiting children.

For more information on adoption, call 1-800-NJ ADOPT (992-3678) or visit the DYFS adoption Web site at www.njadopt.org. The Web site offers an overview of the adoption process and profiles of children awaiting adoption.

Today’s honorees, in their respective categories, were:

ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

• Joseph and Catherine Buckley of Plainfield, N.J.
• Reyna Burgos of Jersey City, N.J.
• Sally and Stephen Busher of Ashbury, N.J. (Warren County)
• Willie and Gail Canteen of Westampton, N.J.
• Linda Ditty of Sunbury, Pa.
• Yvonne and William Flood of West Orange, N.J.
• Suzanne and Felix Glennon of Monroe Township, N.J.
• Merilee Gorton and Carol Darrow of Mexico, N.Y.
• Patrick and Christine Graham of Washington Township, N.J.
• Donna Hoehn of Gillette, N.J.
• Tom and Norma Koller of Camden, N.J.
• Meredith LoSasso of Hammonton, N.J.
• Ricardo Marano of East Brunswick, N.J.
• William and Maria Matos of Wayne, N.J.
• Joyce McDonald of Scotch Plains, N.J.
• Damon and Vonda Owens of Westampton, N.J.
• Martha and Herman Williams of Wanaque, N.J.
• Robert Heigl and Russell Yates of Downingtown, Pa.

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY AWARDS

• Arthur L. Weeler of Fox & Roach Charities, which organized a backpack and school-supplies drive for children in foster care awaiting adoption
• Gloria Hochman of the National Adoption Center
• Larry Kane, who hosts a regular waiting-child feature on KYW News Radio
• Vai Sikahema, host of “Wednesday’s Child” on NBC 10
• Christopher Ridenour, who helped DYFS produce a video highlighting the particular needs of adolescents who are in foster care
• Amy Tessier of the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership, which operates a book mobile and eye-exam service for children in low-income areas, serving hundreds of children in South Jersey

DYFS STAFF

• Karen Backiel, recipient of the Congressional “Angel in Adoption” Award
• Kathy Niedt, recipient of the Congressional “Angels in Adoption” Award
• Mary Beth Field, state Angel in Adoption
• Ellen Kelly, state Angel in Adoption

 

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