PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACT:
Jennifer Donahue / Erika Gully-Santiago
(617) 557-1114
Jennifer.Donahue@jud.state.ma.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2019
Massachusetts Trial Court to Celebrate National Adoption Day in Courthouses Across the Commonwealth
WHAT:
On Friday, 140 children who have been in state foster care will be formally adopted in six courthouses across the Commonwealth as part of National Adoption Day, an event that raises awareness of the thousands of Massachusetts children in need of adoptive families.
This year, the main media site location is the Worcester Trial Court and Hon. Carol Erskine, First Justice of the Worcester Juvenile Court, will be the Master of Ceremonies. Speakers include First Lady of the Commonwealth Lauren Baker; state Senator Michael Moore; Department of Children and Families Commissioner Linda Spears; and adoptive parents Blair Miller, a national TV correspondent, and his husband, who are adopting their third child. Lavender Darcangelo, who is adopted, will sing.
Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey and Juvenile Court Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem will also deliver remarks. Adoptions of 48 children by 35 families will formally begin after the opening ceremony.
National Adoption Day events will also take place in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in Boston; the George N. Covett Courthouse in Brockton; Hampden County Juvenile Court in Holyoke; Essex County Juvenile Court in Lawrence; and Berkshire County Juvenile Court in Pittsfield.
Media should be advised that each site will have designated media families who are willing to be interviewed and have their photos taken before and during the adoption ceremony, but permission should still be sought from individual families. Children and their adoptive families will participate in activities at each of the courthouses throughout the day.
National Adoption Day is supported by the Massachusetts Court Improvement Program, which receives federal funds and is administered by the Supreme Judicial Court. Members of the Adoption Day Planning Committee will speak at the events. Committee members include court leaders and personnel from the Juvenile Court and Probate & Family Court, as well as staff members from the Department of Children and Families, Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and community volunteers.
WHEN & WHERE:
Friday, November 22, 2018
Opening ceremonies will begin at the times listed below at each courthouse:
- Boston - Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 9:30 a.m.
- Brockton - George N. Covett Courthouse at 9:30 a.m.
- Holyoke - Hampden County Juvenile Court at 9:30 a.m.
- Lawrence - Essex County Juvenile Court at 9:15 a.m.
- Pittsfield - Berkshire County Juvenile Court at 9:00 a.m.
- Worcester (media site) - Worcester Trial Court at 9:15 a.m.
Formal adoptions in Juvenile and Probate & Family Court courtrooms will follow the ceremonies.