Celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month

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AN DIEGO (CBS 8) - November is National Adoption Awareness Month. In any given month, there are on average 50 to 75 children, from toddlers to teens, waiting for an adoptive home in San Diego County.

In this News 8 video story, photojournalist Bill Tracey followed one lucky family on their journey from a party of two to a party of five, and was at the courthouse Friday for a major adoption celebration party.

If you'd like to learn more about adopting a child, click HERE.

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Urgent need to find 12-year-old Leward a forever home
Urgent need to find 12-year-old Leward a forever home
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:08:18 GMT
In many ways Leward is a typical 11-year-old boy, he likes eating out, going to the movies and playing video games. But what Leward is missing is a family.
There is an urgent need to find a forever home for a 12-year-old boy. Leward is living in an emergency children's shelter right now, and what worries him most in life is not knowing where he will end up. Leward simply wants what most kids take for granted.
Foster families needed for local foster children
Foster families needed for local foster children
Updated: Monday, May 6 2013 7:41 PM EDT2013-05-06 23:41:56 GMT
Not all children in the foster care system are looking to be adopted. The goal for many of them is reunification with their birth family.

Not all children in the foster care system are looking to be adopted. The goal for many of them is reunification with their birth family. However during that process, these kids need loving foster families to give them some stability.
14-year-old Isaac dreams of having a forever family
14-year-old Isaac dreams of having a forever family
Updated: Monday, April 29 2013 3:34 PM EDT2013-04-29 19:34:48 GMT
He's a 14-year-old boy who doesn't know what sharing Christmastime with family even feels like.
He's a 14-year-old boy who doesn't know what sharing Christmastime with family even feels like. Isaac says he's happy in his group home, because he knows no other life. This polite young man is in desperate need of a family to help guide him through these impressionable teenage years.
Finding a forever family tops Eliga's birthday wish list
Finding a forever family tops Eliga's birthday wish list
Updated: Monday, April 22 2013 2:06 PM EDT2013-04-22 18:06:27 GMT
Eliga is turning 13-years-old on Tuesday and like most kids his age he wants an iPod Touch or a PlayStation 3 for his birthday.
Eliga is turning 13-years-old on Tuesday and like most kids his age he wants an iPod Touch or a PlayStation 3 for his birthday. But unlike most kids his age, Eliga's birthday wish list includes finding a family to call his own.
Two-year-old with special needs waiting for forever home
Two-year-old with special needs waiting for forever home
Updated: Wednesday, April 17 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-04-17 20:42:23 GMT
He's a two-year-old boy who needs round-the-clock medical care. Luis has a number of medical issues, but has made significant improvements while in the care of his current foster family.
He's a two-year-old boy who needs round-the-clock medical care. Luis has a number of medical issues, but has made significant improvements while in the care of his current foster family.
17-year-old Ryan running out of time to find forever family
17-year-old Ryan running out of time to find forever family
Updated: Monday, April 8 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-04-08 21:25:03 GMT
He's a 17-year-old boy that will require a lot of care and dedication from a loving family. Ryan has severe food allergies, is fed through a G-tube and has additional special needs.

He's a 17-year-old boy that will require a lot of care and dedication from a loving family. Ryan has severe food allergies, is fed through a G-tube and has additional special needs. Meet Ryan, who deserves a new start in the New Year and a family to give him love.
Success Story: Local mom adopts 3 boys with special needs
Success Story: Local mom adopts 3 boys with special needs
Updated: Monday, April 1 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-04-01 22:45:56 GMT
One local mom has adopted three medically fragile boys. She's a nurse by trade, who felt compelled to adopt and make a difference in the lives of these precious children.
One local mom has adopted three medically fragile boys. She's a nurse by trade, who felt compelled to adopt and make a difference in the lives of these precious children.
Success Story: Cristina & Brittany grateful for their mom & big sis
Success Story: Cristina & Brittany grateful for their mom & big sis
Updated: Monday, March 25 2013 1:57 PM EDT2013-03-25 17:57:27 GMT
A local mom had just finished her adoption classes when she saw two young sisters featured on Adopt 8. Those girls are now her daughters and life has changed dramatically for them.
A local mom, who decided to adopt after her biological daughter went off to college, had just finished her adoption classes when she saw two young sisters featured on Adopt 8. Those girls are now her daughters and life has changed dramatically for them.
10-year-old twins still waiting for a forever home
10-year-old twins still waiting for a forever home
Updated: Monday, March 18 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-03-18 21:57:54 GMT
They're 10-year-old twins born 12 minutes apart. Adriel wants to be a pro basketball player, and Gabriel wants to be a police officer, but what these boys are missing are parents to help them fulfill their dreams.
They're 10-year-old twins born 12 minutes apart. Adriel wants to be a pro basketball player, and Gabriel wants to be a police officer, but what these boys are missing are parents to help them fulfill their dreams.
SD County Adoptions in need of Camp Connect volunteers
SD County Adoptions in need of Camp Connect volunteers
Updated: Monday, March 11 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-03-11 23:38:56 GMT
It's hard to imagine growing up in a different home than your brother or sister, but it's what many foster kids in San Diego must endure.

It's hard to imagine growing up in a different home than your brother or sister, but it's what many foster kids in San Diego must endure. But a county-run program called Camp Connect, gives these siblings a chance to bond during a four day camp. Now, the County is calling on volunteers to join the program.

Celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month

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