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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Children's Court Finalizes 61 Adoptions As Part of a National Celebration
By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Journal Staff Writer
By the time Jesse Perez was 11 years old, she had lived in a series of foster homes and was looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.
She's one of the lucky kids who found it.
On Saturday, 61 kids — including Jesse, now 14 — had their adoptions finalized in the 2nd Judicial District's Children's Court as part of a National Adoption Day celebration.
"My parents really weren't able to be parents to me," Perez said.
Elsie Baca adopted Jesse after more than two years of caring for her as a foster parent.
"It's the first time I've ever been in a loving home," Jesse said. "I feel like she's my mom. She's always there for me, she cooks me dinner, she loves me, she treats me like a normal kid."
Baca, a 70-year-old retiree, takes care of Jesse and another teenage girl she adopted last year.
"I love children. ... I find it very gratifying, and a child's love is so unconditional. You don't have to do a whole lot for them, just being (in) an ordinary home and loving them goes a long way."
Jesse said she is "ecstatic" about her adoption being finalized.
Romaine Serna, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, said the department saw 503 children in its care get adopted last year. As of Oct. 31 this year, the number is 482.
But there are still 400 or so who have not been adopted, she said. CYFD tries to reunite children with their biological parents whenever possible, but sometimes it just can't be done.
"The Children, Youth and Families Department believes that every child deserves a family that will keep them safe and loved. Many older youth want to be adopted because they want a family to share Thanksgiving, Passover, Feast Days or to create traditions with," Serna said.
Children's Court Judge John J. Romero, who was one of three judges who participated in the ceremony, said most of the kids adopted in the court have been in CYFD custody at some point because of abuse or neglect while living with their biological parents.
"My family was very fond of saying 'charity begins at home,' " Romero said. "We need to be mindful and be reminded regularly that there are children who, through no fault of their own, don't have families. And that we're all capable of being a family for a child who needs one."
Wendy and Rick Robinson adopted three children ages 3 and younger, one of whom is deaf and one of whom is developmentally disabled.
Wendy Robinson said she and her husband are fostering another young developmentally disabled girl who may be reunited with her biological parents. She said she and her family are not done fostering or even adopting more kids.
"When we started fostering, I found my purpose in life. It's extra fulfillment. We're changing lives, we're making a difference. I think I'm going to be the 60-year-old lady with the passenger van completely filled with kids," Robinson said.
Jesse said people who foster and adopt are doing a wonderful thing for kids with no family.
"You take a lot off kids' shoulders," she said. "You let them see a different way of life. It's just better for them. You help them heal emotionally, and if they have physical problems, you help them with that, too."
Jesse, her new mom and her new sister are all so enthusiastic about foster and adoptive parenting, they've collectively decided to add one more to the family.
"We want a little girl," Jesse said.
Becoming a foster or adoptive parent:
• Call the state Children, Youth and Families Department at 1-800-432-2075. The hot line operator can take information for a preliminary application.
• After the initial call, a CYFD recruiter will follow up for a more in-depth check, including a criminal background check, a home inspection and a personal interview.
• Training is provided to foster and adoptive parents by CYFD.
• CYFD workers try to ensure the best possible match between foster and adoptive parents and children who need families.
• For more information, visit www.cyfd.org.
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