On Saturday, Nov. 18 at 9 a.m., the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, will celebrate National Adoption Day and finalize adoptions for 21 families and 31 foster care children.

This event will be presided over by Judges Michael Coughlan and Barbara A. Kronlund and will begin with a brief welcome and introduction. Also, an adoptive family will share their own personal story.

Judge Coughlan stated “National Adoption Day is a wonderful tradition and it is an honor to be part of this incredible celebration. However, we must remain committed to finding good, permanent homes for our children and youth in foster care.”

Judge Kronlund stated “It has been an honor and privilege to preside over these very special adoptions for the past 10 years. Families are made with the swipe of a pen, yet the caring, sharing and love that comes from creating families will last a lifetime. It just doesn’t get any better than this.”

The San Joaquin County Human Services Agency and the Lilliput Children Services participate in this special day by working together to celebrate the joys of adoption and encourage more families and individuals to give children permanent families through adoption.

National Adoption Day has been celebrated across the nation on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and to raise awareness of the nearly 108,000 children and youth in foster care waiting to find a permanent and loving family. Over the past 17 years, the nationwide collective effort of judges, lawyers, court staff, foster professionals, child advocates, sheriff personnel, and many others has made the dreams of over 55,000 children and youth come true by working on this one special day to finalize adoptions for children and youth in foster care.

The Stockton Courthouse is at 180 E. Weber Ave., Stockton.