CINCINNATI — Families to be gathered at the Hamilton County Courthouse downtown Friday as fourteen children were adopted into new families. The group ceremony kicks off the start of November as National Adoption Month.
Hamilton County Job and Family Services hopes the emotional and inspiring event could convince more people to adopt or become foster parents.
"It's always been our plan to be parents," said George Moster, who adopted two children. "We were waiting for these guys and didn't know it. I'm so happy they're here."
Eight different families gathered to welcome the children into their fold during the ceremony that meant a lot for parents and children alike.
"I have no children of my own, so it is challenging sometimes," said Treka Engleman. She became a foster parent years ago for a young boy named Elijah, when he was just born. On Friday, sisters Mercedes and Alexis joined her family too.
"Yeah, she has a really big family and we love all of them," said Mercedes. "Me and my sister, we really get along with the little boy."
Moira Weir, director of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, said the hope is to inspire more parents to step into roles that help children who need homes.
"When you hear the children speak about how happy they are and then they'll turn and call someone their mother or father, it really is very joyful," said Weir.
In Hamilton County alone, more than 400 foster children are waiting to be adopted on any given day.
Weir said many of these children have been through a lot, and adopted and foster parents are there to help them along the way.
For children like Mercedes and Alexis, the promise of a safe and loving home is priceless.
"It was amazing," said Mercedes. "I was in a group home when I first heard that she wanted to take me in and when we finally realized we were going to get adopted it was an immediate yes.”
