13th annual Adoption Day celebrated
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YOUNGSTOWN – There were a lot of smiles at Mahoning County Probate Court on Monday because it was the 13th annual Adoption Day celebration.
“Today is a fun day. I love seeing all the smiling faces. Not many things in the courthouse are fun, but this is. It is also a time to educate about the need for foster and adoptive parents," said Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert Rusu Jr.
The event was co-sponsored by Mahoning County Children Services.
November Is National Adoption Month. According to Jennifer Kollar, public information officer at Mahoning County Children Services, "National Adoption Month is a special time for our agency and the community. We celebrate past and new adoptions, express our gratitude for adoptive families for providing lifelong support, and raise awareness of the urgent need of additional adoptive and foster families," she said.
Presently, 25 children are seeking adoptive families.
The highlight of the event was the adoption of siblings Ali, 6, and Ali'Onna, 4, to become official members of the family of Tennielle and Edward Robinson Sr. of Youngstown.
“The children were part of Mahoning County Children Services foster program," said Natalie Finamore, Adoption Unit Supervisor.
The children have been in the Robinson home since April 2024 and they petitioned the court to adopt on Aug. 24. The family was assessed and approved by Annette Brown, Mahoning County Children Services Adoption Accessor. She told Rusu on Monday the children should be adopted into the family.
The Robinsons have three other children who attended the ceremony. They are Kay'son, 7, Eryca, 6, and Jamar'Yah, 6.
"I know you know the process," said Rusu, pointing out that the family includes other adopted children.
The joyful day included the invocation and celebratory prayer lead by the Rev. John Michael Oliver of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church in Youngstown, the presentation of colors by the East High School Junior ROTC Color Guard under the direction of LTC Joseph Alessi, PhD, and musical performances from the Youngstown City High School Choir directed by Mark Jackson.
Rusu said when Jackson was contacted, he was pleased that the group included 35 singers.
Candace Campana performed her original song, "Rise" with the lyrics "Rise above your pain. Rise to a better day. Seize the day."
To make the adoption official for the children, Rusu had the siblings come up to his bench and use the gavel and say, "I'm adopted."
After the service, Ali and Ali'Onna received adoption backpacks from the Jockey Being Family Backpack Program. The children receive one with their initials and the parents also get one with resource information.
Rusu said he CEO of Jockey International was adopted as an infant, so she wants to support adoptive families.
In her remarks, Julie Randolph, assistant director of Mahoning County Children Services, talked about the difference that adoption makes in children's lives.
"It gives children the assurance that they are valued, cared for and connected to people who will stand beside them throughout their lives," she said.
To find out more about children waiting for adoption, check mahoningkids.com.